Verdict
These are radically different RM238,888 and RM339,888 propositions. The Lexus LBX is a 4,190-mm B-segment hybrid SUV with a 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid system, 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time and RM120 annual road tax; it is the more compact choice for Malaysian city use. The Volvo ES90 costs RM101,000 more, but brings 329 hp, 480 Nm, a 92-kWh NMC battery and 651 km EV range. Its 5,000-mm body and 3,102-mm wheelbase demand more parking space, yet return a 424-litre boot and notably richer rear-seat accommodation.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the RM101,000 cheaper, 810-mm shorter hybrid SUV with a 36-litre fuel tank and lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want a 651-km electric sedan with 329 hp, 480 Nm, 350-kW DC charging and substantially more rear-seat equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Powertrain: LBX has a 90-hp 1.5-litre petrol engine plus 93-hp motor; ES90 has one 329-hp electric motor.
- Performance: LBX reaches 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; ES90 does it in 6.6 seconds.
- Size: LBX is 4,190 mm long on a 2,580-mm wheelbase; ES90 is 5,000 mm long on a 3,102-mm wheelbase.
- Energy storage and range: LBX has a 1.0-kWh nickel metal-hydride battery; ES90 has a 92-kWh NMC battery and 651 km EV range.
- Boot space: LBX has 315 litres; ES90 has 424 litres.
LBX
- RM101,000 cheaper to buy.
- 4,190-mm length is 810 mm shorter than the ES90.
- RM120 annual road tax and a 36-litre fuel tank.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the ES90's 6.6 seconds.
- 315-litre boot is 109 litres smaller.
- Rear seating lacks the ES90's power recline, ventilation and dual-zone climate control.
ES90
- 329 hp and 480 Nm from its single electric motor.
- 92-kWh battery, 651-km range and 350-kW DC charging.
- 424-litre boot, 40:20:40 rear seats with power recline and ventilation.
- RM339,888 price is RM101,000 higher.
- RM395 annual road tax is RM275 higher.
- At 5,000 mm long and 1,942 mm wide, it is larger than the 4,190-mm by 1,825-mm LBX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM339,888 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | — |
| 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 | 1.0 kWh | 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM395 |
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 electric range, performance, rear-seat amenities and boot space, with 651 km, 329 hp and 424 litres. The Lexus LBX is better suited to buyers prioritising a RM101,000 lower purchase price, smaller footprint and RM120 road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 costs RM339,888, which is RM101,000 more than the RM238,888 Lexus LBX.
Which is easier to park in Malaysian cities?
The Lexus LBX is the easier fit: it is 4,190 mm long and 1,825 mm wide, against the Volvo ES90's 5,000 mm length and 1,942 mm width. Both have parking sensors and a reverse camera, but the ES90 also gets a 360-degree camera.