Lexus LC vs Lexus LM
Verdict
These two Lexuses are separated more by purpose than price: the LC is RM1,379,000 and the LM is RM1,228,000, a RM151,000 gap. For that extra money, the LC buys a 4,969 cc petrol V8 with 470 hp, 540 Nm, rear-drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time, but only four seats. The LM answers with seven seats, a 3,000 mm wheelbase and a 1,955 mm roof, while its RM835 road tax is far easier to stomach than the LC’s RM10,991.
Pick the Lexus LC if you want the faster, rear-driven 470 hp coupe and can live with four seats and RM10,991 annual road tax.
Pick the Lexus LM if you need seven seats, MPV height and a much lower RM835 annual road tax bill.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Lexus LM RM1,228,000
- Body and seats: Lexus LC coupe with 4 seats; Lexus LM MPV with 7 seats
- Engine and output: Lexus LC 4,969 cc, 470 hp, 540 Nm; Lexus LM 2,494 cc, 188 hp, 236 Nm
- Driven wheels and gearbox: Lexus LC rear-wheel drive conventional automatic; Lexus LM front-wheel drive eCVT automatic
- Size: Lexus LC 4,770 mm long, 1,345 mm tall; Lexus LM 5,125 mm long, 1,955 mm tall
- Running cost marker: Lexus LC road tax RM10,991 a year; Lexus LM RM835 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 1,379,000 | RM 1,228,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | MPV |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 4,969 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Power | 470 hp✓ | 188 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 236 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 4.4 s | — |
| Top speed | 270 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 8.6 L/100km | — |
| CO₂ | 267 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 5,125 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,955 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Boot space | 197 L✓ | 110 L |
| Fuel tank | 82 L | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 10,991 | RM 835✓ |
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.
LC
- 470 hp and 540 Nm
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive coupe layout
- Only 4 seats
- RM10,991 annual road tax
- 197-litre boot
LM
- 7 seats
- 3,000 mm wheelbase
- RM835 annual road tax
- 188 hp and 236 Nm are far below the LC
- Front-wheel drive only
- 110-litre boot
LC vs LM FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Lexus LM better?
The Lexus LC is better for performance: 470 hp, 540 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Lexus LM is better for passengers, with seven seats, MPV packaging and a 3,000 mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM151,000 more than the Lexus LM. That extra spend buys the bigger 4,969 cc engine, rear-wheel drive and much stronger performance, not more seats or luggage space.
Which is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
The Lexus LM is far cheaper on road tax at RM835 a year. The Lexus LC’s 4,969 cc petrol engine puts its annual road tax at RM10,991, a difference of RM10,156 every year.