Verdict
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888 to the Lotus Eletre’s RM499,000, leaving RM30,112 in hand while annual road tax is also lower at RM754 versus RM1,440. Its 275 hp, 430 Nm turbo petrol drivetrain is far slower, though: 0-100 km/h takes 7.6 seconds against the Eletre’s 4.5 seconds from 603 hp and 710 Nm. The Lotus brings a 112 kWh battery, 600 km range and 350 kW DC charging, but it is a much larger 2,490 kg SUV. The RX is the more rational Malaysian executive SUV; the Eletre is for buyers committed to electric performance.
Pick the Lexus RX if you want the lower entry price, lower RM754 annual road tax and heated, ventilated rear seats in a smaller SUV.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp electric performance, a claimed 600 km range and 350 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Power and torque: Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm; Lotus Eletre 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 seconds; Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds.
- Energy storage: Lexus RX 68-litre petrol tank; Lotus Eletre 112 kWh battery.
- Size and boot: Lexus RX is 4,890 mm long with 612 litres; Lotus Eletre is 5,103 mm long with 688 litres.
- Annual road tax: Lexus RX RM754; Lotus Eletre RM1,440.
RX
- RM30,112 lower purchase price.
- Heated and ventilated rear seats, plus power recline and folding.
- 576 kg lighter than the Eletre.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Eletre’s 4.5 seconds.
- 612-litre boot is 76 litres smaller than the Eletre’s.
- No 600 km EV range or 350 kW DC charging capability.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two electric motors.
- 112 kWh battery with 600 km claimed range and 350 kW DC charging.
- 688-litre boot and 3,019 mm wheelbase.
- RM1,440 annual road tax is RM686 higher than the RX’s.
- At 2,490 kg, it weighs 576 kg more than the RX.
- It is 213 mm longer and 215 mm wider than the RX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM468,888✓ | RM499,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM754✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 275 hp | — |
| Torque | 430 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 603 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 710 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 258 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,490 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | Yes, with Surround View |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km 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 RX & Eletre for sale
RX vs Eletre FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Lotus Eletre better?
The RX is better for lower purchase and road-tax costs, plus more elaborate rear-seat comfort. The Eletre is better for electric driving, with 603 hp, 600 km claimed range and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM30,112 more than the Lexus RX. It also carries RM686 more annual road tax.
Which has the better long-distance capability?
The Eletre has the clearer stated long-distance EV case: its 112 kWh battery claims 600 km range and accepts up to 350 kW DC charging. The RX instead uses a 68-litre petrol tank.