Verdict
At RM395,888, the Lexus NX costs RM23,000 less than the RM418,888 Volvo XC90 and is easier to place: it is 290 mm shorter, 93 mm narrower and 585 kg lighter. Yet both reach 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. The Volvo earns its premium with seven seats, a 2,984 mm wheelbase, air suspension and a 249 hp/350 Nm turbo mild-hybrid powertrain. Choose the NX for five-seat use and its 520-litre boot; choose the XC90 when the third row and larger cabin matter more than its 451-litre boot.
Pick the Lexus NX if five seats are enough and you want the lower purchase price, 520-litre boot and easier-to-manage 4,660 mm body.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a 2,984 mm wheelbase and the stronger 249 hp/350 Nm powertrain.
Key differences
- Power: Lexus NX 184 hp; Volvo XC90 249 hp.
- Torque: Lexus NX 221 Nm; Volvo XC90 350 Nm.
- Seating: Lexus NX five seats; Volvo XC90 seven seats.
- Length: Lexus NX 4,660 mm; Volvo XC90 4,950 mm.
- Kerb weight: Lexus NX 1,765 kg; Volvo XC90 2,350 kg.
- Boot space: Lexus NX 520 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
NX
- RM23,000 lower purchase price
- 520-litre boot space
- Head-up display, panoramic-view camera and front/rear parking sensors
- Five seats versus the XC90's seven
- 184 hp and 221 Nm versus 249 hp and 350 Nm
- No panoramic sunroof or air suspension
XC90
- Seven seats with a 50:50 third row
- Air suspension and 2,984 mm wheelbase
- Panoramic sunroof and Bowers & Wilkins audio
- RM23,000 higher purchase price
- 451-litre boot versus the NX's 520 litres
- 2,350 kg kerb weight versus 1,765 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM428✓ |
| 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 | 249 hp✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 7 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, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| 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 | Dynamic LED Projectors 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 Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 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 |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty |
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 NX & XC90 for sale
NX vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Volvo XC90 better?
The Lexus NX is the better fit for a five-seat buyer wanting a lower price, larger stated boot and smaller body. The Volvo XC90 is better for families needing seven seats, more power and air suspension.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM23,000 more than the Lexus NX. Its annual road tax is lower, however: RM428 versus RM830 for the NX.
Which SUV is easier to park in town?
The Lexus NX is the handier choice. At 4,660 mm long and 1,865 mm wide, it is 290 mm shorter and 93 mm narrower than the 4,950 mm-long, 1,958 mm-wide XC90.