Lexus LC vs Toyota Alphard
Verdict
This is a head-versus-heart split. The Lexus LC is the fast, low coupe: 470 hp, 540 Nm, rear-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 270 km/h flat out. The Toyota Alphard is the passenger answer, with seven seats, 510 litres of boot space, a 3,000 mm wheelbase and 1,950 mm height. The LC is only marginally thriftier on paper at 8.6 L/100 km versus 9.0 L/100 km, but its RM10,991 road tax changes the ownership conversation fast.
Pick the Lexus LC if you want the quicker, lower, rear-drive car and can live with four seats, 197 litres of boot space and RM10,991 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Alphard if your priority is carrying people in comfort, with seven seats, 510 litres of boot space and a much lower RM754 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Toyota Alphard RM548,000
- Engine and output: Lexus LC 4,969 cc, 470 hp, 540 Nm; Toyota Alphard 2,393 cc, 274 hp, 430 Nm
- Layout: Lexus LC rear-wheel drive; Toyota Alphard front-wheel drive
- Performance: Lexus LC 0-100 km/h in 4.4 s and 270 km/h; Toyota Alphard 0-100 km/h not listed and 180 km/h
- Cabin and luggage: Lexus LC 4 seats, 197 L boot; Toyota Alphard 7 seats, 510 L boot
- Size: Lexus LC 4,770 mm long, 1,345 mm tall; Toyota Alphard 5,010 mm long, 1,950 mm tall
LC
- 470 hp and 540 Nm from a 4,969 cc petrol engine
- Rear-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Eight airbags, versus six in the Alphard
- Only four seats and 197 litres of boot space
- RM10,991 annual road tax
- Low 1,345 mm body is less convenient for entry and exit
Alphard
- Seven seats and 510 litres of boot space
- Longer 3,000 mm wheelbase and tall 1,950 mm body suit passenger use
- RM754 annual road tax is far lower than the LC’s
- 274 hp is well below the LC’s 470 hp
- Front-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive
- Top speed is 180 km/h, versus 270 km/h for the LC
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 1,379,000 | RM 548,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | MPV |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp✓ | 274 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 8.6 L/100 km✓ | 9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | 267 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated and Heated | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | — | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 10.3" Lexus Premium Audio Remote Touch Controller with 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Sound System, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power sliding with soft close function |
| 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 | 5-year/100,000 km free service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 10,991 | RM 754✓ |
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 vs Alphard FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Toyota Alphard better?
The Lexus LC is better for performance, with 470 hp, rear-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Toyota Alphard is better for family or chauffeur use, with seven seats, 510 litres of boot space and a much taller cabin.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM1,379,000, while the Toyota Alphard costs RM548,000. That is an RM831,000 gap before considering annual road tax, which is RM10,991 for the LC and RM754 for the Alphard.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Toyota Alphard is clearly more practical. It has seven seats, a 510-litre boot, a 3,000 mm wheelbase and a 1,950 mm height. The Lexus LC has four seats and a 197-litre boot.