Verdict
At RM238,888, the Lexus LBX undercuts the RM248,888 Volvo EC40 by RM10,000 and is 250 mm shorter, so it is the more compact five-seat SUV for Malaysian urban use. The EC40 answers with a 235 hp, 420 Nm motor, all-wheel drive and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time, against the LBX’s 93 hp, 185 Nm motor and 9.6 seconds. Its 70 kWh battery also brings 488 km of EV range, plus a larger 413-litre boot. The Lexus counters with RM120 annual road tax versus RM220 and an unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery warranty.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the RM10,000 lower entry point, smaller 4,190 mm footprint and unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery cover.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if you want 488 km EV range, all-wheel drive, 235 hp and a 413-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Volvo EC40 RM248,888.
- Powertrain: LBX has a 93 hp/185 Nm motor with a 1,490 cc hybrid petrol engine; EC40 has a 235 hp/420 Nm electric motor and 70 kWh battery.
- Performance: LBX reaches 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and 170 km/h; EC40 does 7.3 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Size and boot: LBX is 4,190 mm long with 315 litres; EC40 is 4,440 mm long with 413 litres.
- Driveline and rear suspension: LBX is front-wheel drive with a torsion-beam rear; EC40 is all-wheel drive with multi-link rear suspension.
- Ownership figures: LBX road tax is RM120 yearly with an eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery warranty; EC40 is RM220 yearly with an eight-year/160,000…
LBX
- RM10,000 lower purchase price and RM100 lower annual road tax.
- 250 mm shorter body for a more compact footprint.
- Driver’s seat memory and eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery warranty.
- 93 hp and 185 Nm trail the EC40’s 235 hp and 420 Nm.
- 315-litre boot is 98 litres smaller than the EC40’s 413 litres.
- No fixed glass roof, 360-degree camera or auto parking.
EC40
- 235 hp, 420 Nm all-wheel-drive EV with a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 70 kWh battery, 488 km range and up to 200 kW DC charging.
- 413-litre boot, fixed glass roof, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Costs RM10,000 more and has RM220 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Battery warranty is capped at 160,000 km, unlike the LBX’s unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery cover.
- At 4,440 mm long and 1,873 mm wide, it is larger than the 4,190 mm by 1,825 mm LBX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM248,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM220 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 90 hp | — |
| Torque | 120 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | 235 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 488 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 7.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,185 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 413 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & EC40 for sale
LBX vs EC40 FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Volvo EC40 better?
The EC40 is better for outright performance, EV range and cargo room: it has 235 hp, 488 km range and a 413-litre boot. Choose the LBX for the smaller body, lower road tax and unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EC40 costs RM10,000 more than the Lexus LBX. It adds a 70 kWh battery, 488 km range, all-wheel drive, 200 kW DC charging and a larger 413-litre boot.
Which has the better battery warranty and charging setup?
The LBX hybrid battery is covered for eight years with unlimited mileage. The EC40 battery has eight years or 160,000 km cover, but it can charge at 11 kW AC and up to 200 kW DC; the LBX has no EV charging figures.