Verdict
The Volvo XC60 is the sharper financial and performance case: its RM67,000 lower asking price also brings 246 hp, 350 Nm and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Lexus NX’s 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds. Its 2,865 mm wheelbase should also matter to rear-seat passengers. The NX fights back with a 520-litre boot, seven airbags and a 200 km/h top speed, plus ventilated front seats and a head-up display. For a Malaysian buyer, the XC60’s RM428 annual road tax versus RM830 is another recurring saving.
Pick the Lexus NX if you want the larger 520-litre boot, seven airbags, ventilated front seats and a head-up display.
Pick the Volvo XC60 if you want 246 hp, 350 Nm, quicker 6.9-second acceleration and a substantially lower purchase price and road tax bill.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Volvo XC60 RM328,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm; Volvo XC60 246 hp and 350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus NX 7.7 seconds; Volvo XC60 6.9 seconds.
- Wheelbase: Lexus NX 2,690 mm; Volvo XC60 2,865 mm.
- Boot space: Lexus NX 520 litres; Volvo XC60 483 litres.
- Annual road tax: Lexus NX RM830; Volvo XC60 RM428.
NX
- 520-litre boot, versus 483 litres
- Seven airbags, versus six
- Ventilated front seats and head-up display
- RM67,000 more expensive
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 7.7 seconds versus 6.9 seconds
- Shorter 2,690 mm wheelbase versus 2,865 mm
XC60
- 246 hp and 350 Nm
- RM428 annual road tax
- Panoramic glass roof and Bowers & Wilkins audio
- 483-litre boot is 37 litres smaller
- Six airbags versus seven
- 180 km/h top speed versus 200 km/h
What the NX has over the XC60
What the XC60 has over the NX
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The XC60's wheelbase is 175 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the NX: 520 litres against 483.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888 | RM328,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM428✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,040/mo | RM3,355/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM10,640 | RM8,864✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp✓ | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm✓ | 30 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,708 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,902 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 2,450 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 483 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 16 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 12 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 | 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, with Integrated Boosters |
| 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), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated 2-stage booster child seat cushions for the outer seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunshade for Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control with Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used NX & XC60 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Lexus NX
Volvo XC60
NX vs XC60 FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Volvo XC60 better?
The Volvo XC60 is the better pick for performance, rear-seat space potential and running costs, with 246 hp, 350 Nm and RM428 road tax. Choose the Lexus NX for its larger boot, extra airbag, ventilated seats and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM67,000 more than the Volvo XC60. That is a major gap when the Volvo is also quicker to 100 km/h and has more power and torque.
Which has more luggage space?
The Lexus NX has more luggage space at 520 litres, compared with 483 litres for the Volvo XC60. The Lexus gives you an extra 37 litres for luggage.
Which one is locally assembled?
The XC60 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the NX is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.