Verdict
At RM238,888, the Lexus LBX costs RM101,000 less than the RM339,888 Volvo ES90 and asks far less in annual road tax: RM120 against RM395. The LBX is the easier Malaysian urban fit at 4,190 mm long, but its 315-litre boot, 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 17-inch wheels underline its smaller B-segment remit. The ES90 is a 5,000-mm executive sedan with a 424-litre boot, 329 hp and 480 Nm rear motor, plus a 92-kWh battery rated for 651 km. Choose carefully: this is a major price and ownership-format divide, not a close like-for-like choice.
Pick the Lexus LBX if RM101,000 saved, RM120 annual road tax and a 4,190-mm SUV suit your daily use better than long EV range.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want 651 km of EV range, 6.6-second acceleration, a larger cabin format and the equipment that comes with the executive sedan.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Powertrain: Lexus LBX 90-hp 1.5-litre hybrid with a 93-hp, 185-Nm motor; Volvo ES90 329-hp, 480-Nm electric motor.
- Range and charging: Lexus LBX has no EV range or charging rating; Volvo ES90 has 651 km, 11-kW AC and 350-kW DC charging.
- Acceleration: Lexus LBX 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; Volvo ES90 in 6.6 seconds.
- Size and boot: Lexus LBX is 4,190 mm long with a 315-litre boot; Volvo ES90 is 5,000 mm long with a 424-litre boot.
- Road tax: Lexus LBX RM120 per year; Volvo ES90 RM395 per year.
LBX
- RM101,000 lower purchase price.
- RM120 annual road tax versus RM395.
- 810 mm shorter length for tighter parking spaces.
- 315-litre boot is 109 litres smaller.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the ES90 by 3.0 seconds.
- No EV-only range, AC charging or DC charging capability.
ES90
- 651-km EV range from its 92-kWh battery.
- 329 hp and 480 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.
- 424-litre boot, 40:20:40 power-reclining ventilated rear seats and air suspension.
- RM101,000 higher purchase price.
- RM395 annual road tax is RM275 more.
- 5,000-mm body is 810 mm longer than the LBX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM339,888 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 800V 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 | 329 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 480 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 651 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,410 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 424 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 255/40R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 285/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 22" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 22" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Air Suspension |
| 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, Dual Front Centre Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 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 Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Power Reclining Seats with Ventilation |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C 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 |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,650 watt) |
| 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 Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 & ES90 for sale
LBX vs ES90 FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is better for EV range, performance, rear-seat equipment and boot space. The Lexus LBX is the better fit if lower upfront cost, lower road tax and a much shorter SUV body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 costs RM101,000 more than the Lexus LBX. Its annual road tax is also RM275 higher, at RM395 versus RM120.
Which one is quicker and has more range?
The Volvo ES90 reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, against 9.6 seconds for the Lexus LBX, and its 92-kWh battery is rated for 651 km. The LBX is a petrol hybrid and has no EV range rating.