Verdict
The Lexus LS is the long-distance luxury choice: its 415 hp, 600 Nm twin-turbo V6 reaches 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, while air suspension, 28-way front seats and powered, ventilated rear seats suit chauffeured use. The Lexus NX is far easier to live with in Malaysia, measuring 575 mm shorter and carrying a 520-litre boot. Its 184 hp petrol-hybrid system, two motors and AWD trade outright pace for a far lower RM830 annual road tax against RM4,133 for the LS. These are very different answers to the same badge.
LS
Pick the Lexus LS if rear-seat luxury, 600 Nm performance and air-suspension comfort matter more than cost and urban manoeuvrability.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you want AWD, a larger 520-litre boot and markedly lower ownership taxes in a shorter SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LS RM1,188,000; Lexus NX RM395,888.
- Performance: Lexus LS 415 hp, 600 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds; Lexus NX 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds.
- Annual road tax: Lexus LS RM4,133; Lexus NX RM830.
- Length and wheelbase: Lexus LS 5,235 mm and 3,125 mm; Lexus NX 4,660 mm and 2,690 mm.
- Boot space and doors: Lexus LS 480 litres and four doors; Lexus NX 520 litres and five doors.
- Rear accommodation: Lexus LS has 18-way powered, heated and ventilated rear seats with rear touchscreen and dual-zone rear climate control; Lexus NX has a…
LS
- 415 hp and 600 Nm twin-turbo V6
- Air suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension
- Powered, heated and ventilated rear seats with rear touchscreen
- RM792,112 more expensive
- RM4,133 annual road tax versus RM830
- 480-litre boot is 40 litres smaller
NX
- 520-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- AWD and two hybrid motors
- 575 mm shorter for tighter urban spaces
- 231 hp and 379 Nm down on the LS
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.7 seconds versus 5.0 seconds
- No rear-seat heating, ventilation, touchscreen or rear climate-control zone
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,188,000 | RM395,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,133 | RM830✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 3,445 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 415 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 600 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 85.5 mm × 100 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.476 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 133 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 208 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 10-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 9.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,235 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 2,155 kg | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45RF20 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45RF20 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | 3 LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| 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 Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Soft close function, all doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 LS & NX for sale
LS vs NX FAQ
Is the Lexus LS or Lexus NX better?
The Lexus LS is better for performance and rear-passenger luxury, with 415 hp, air suspension and powered rear seats. The Lexus NX is better for everyday practicality, with AWD, five doors, a 520-litre boot and much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM1,188,000 and the Lexus NX costs RM395,888, a difference of RM792,112.
Which is quicker, the Lexus LS or Lexus NX?
The Lexus LS is quicker, completing 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds against 7.7 seconds for the Lexus NX. Its 415 hp and 600 Nm also exceed the NX's 184 hp and 221 Nm.