Verdict
For Malaysian buyers choosing between two RM1-million petrol cars, the Lexus LS is the more practical choice: its 5,235-mm body, five seats and 480-litre boot make it viable beyond a weekend drive. The Lotus Emira takes the two-seat sports-car route, weighing 1,405 kg against 2,155 kg and reaching 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds rather than 5.0 seconds. The LS counters with 600 Nm, a 10-speed automatic and air suspension; the Emira uses a six-speed manual. Family use favours the Lexus; a focused drive favours Lotus.
Pick the Lexus LS if you need five seats, a 480-litre boot and a 10-speed automatic luxury sedan with 600 Nm.
Pick the Lotus Emira if you want the lighter 1,405-kg car, a six-speed manual and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LS RM1,188,000; Lotus Emira RM1,131,800.
- Performance: Lexus LS 415 hp, 600 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds; Lotus Emira 400 hp, 420 Nm and 4.3 seconds.
- Weight: Lexus LS 2,155 kg; Lotus Emira 1,405 kg.
- Practicality: Lexus LS has five seats and a 480-litre boot; Lotus Emira has two seats and a 151-litre boot.
- Transmission: Lexus LS gets a 10-speed automatic; Lotus Emira gets a six-speed manual.
- Lane assistance: Lexus LS provides steering correction; Lotus Emira provides a warning only.
LS
- Five seats and a 480-litre boot
- 600 Nm twin-turbo V6 with 10-speed automatic
- Air suspension, ventilated and massaging front seats
- 750 kg heavier than the Emira
- 0-100 km/h is 0.7 seconds slower than the Emira
Emira
- 1,405-kg kerb weight
- 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Six-speed manual and double-wishbone suspension
- Only two seats and a 151-litre boot
- Lane-keeping gives a warning only, not steering correction
- No rear air-conditioning or rear-seat adjustment
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,188,000 | RM1,131,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 3,445 cc | 3,456 cc |
| Horsepower | 415 hp✓ | 400 hp |
| Torque | 600 Nm✓ | 420 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 85.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.476 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 10-Speed Direct Shift | Six-speed Manual |
| Gears | 10 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5 seconds | 4.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,235 mm | 4,412 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,225 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,155 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 151 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45RF20 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45RF20 | 295/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side | — |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Projector LED |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| 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 | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Automatic Front Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | No |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Soft close function, all doors | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,133✓ | RM4,182 |
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 & Emira for sale
LS vs Emira FAQ
Is the Lexus LS or Lotus Emira better?
The Lexus LS is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats and a 480-litre boot. The Lotus Emira is better for a manual sports-car experience, weighing 750 kg less and reaching 100 km/h 0.7 seconds sooner.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM56,200 more than the Lotus Emira.
Which car is better for passengers?
The Lexus LS is decisively better for passengers. It has five seats, rear dual-zone climate control, 18-way powered rear seats with heating and ventilation, plus powered rear and rear-door sunshades. The Emira has two seats.