Verdict
These SUVs serve radically different Malaysian briefs. At RM238,888, the Lexus LBX is a 4,190-mm B-segment hybrid with a 90-hp 1.5-litre engine, 93-hp motor and RM120 annual road tax; it is the easier-sized choice for daily use. The RM384,972 Touareg costs RM146,084 more, but brings 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and an 810-litre boot. Its RM1,632 road tax and 4,878-mm length make sense only if executive-SUV space, pace and equipment matter more than cost.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the RM146,084 saving, hybrid hardware, RM120 road tax and a much shorter 4,190-mm SUV.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need 335 hp, all-wheel drive, 810 litres of boot space and executive-class rear-seat and suspension hardware.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Powertrain: LBX 90-hp 1.5-litre hybrid engine plus 93-hp motor; Touareg 335-hp 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Performance: LBX 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and 170 km/h; Touareg 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Size and boot: LBX 4,190 mm long with 315 litres; Touareg 4,878 mm long with 810 litres.
- Road tax: LBX RM120 per year; Touareg RM1,632 per year.
- Drivetrain and suspension: LBX front-wheel drive with MacPherson strut/torsion beam; Touareg all-wheel drive with multi-link air suspension.
LBX
- RM146,084 less to buy and RM1,512 less in annual road tax.
- Hybrid powertrain with a 93-hp electric motor and eight-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty.
- Extra front knee and front cushion airbags.
- 315-litre boot is 495 litres smaller.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Touareg by 3.6 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive and torsion-beam rear suspension versus all-wheel drive and air suspension.
Touareg
- 335 hp and 450 Nm, with a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- 810-litre boot and 2,984-mm wheelbase.
- Night vision, HD Matrix LED headlamps, 360-degree camera and 730-watt Dynaudio audio.
- Costs RM146,084 more.
- RM1,632 annual road tax is RM1,512 higher.
- At 4,878 mm long and 1,984 mm wide, it is substantially larger than the LBX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 90 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 120 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used LBX & Touareg for sale
LBX vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for outright performance, cargo capacity and long-distance executive-SUV equipment. The LBX is the better fit if lower purchase cost, RM120 annual road tax and a 688-mm shorter body are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM146,084 more than the Lexus LBX: RM384,972 versus RM238,888.
Which has more boot space, the Lexus LBX or Volkswagen Touareg?
The Touareg has 810 litres of boot space, compared with 315 litres in the LBX. That is a 495-litre advantage, and its rear seat also splits 40:20:40 rather than 60:40.