Lexus RX vs Porsche Cayenne
Verdict
The Lexus RX is the calmer money call: it undercuts the Porsche Cayenne by RM140,112, has a five-year warranty instead of four, and annual road tax is RM754 rather than RM1,632. But the Cayenne is clearly the quicker and roomier SUV, with 335 hp, 450 Nm, a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time and 772 litres of boot space. The RX counters with 275 hp, 430 Nm, 7.6 seconds and 612 litres, so Malaysian buyers are choosing cost control or pace and space.
Pick the Lexus RX if you want the lower purchase price, lower road tax and longer warranty, and can accept the slower 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Porsche Cayenne if you want the stronger 335 hp output, quicker 5.7-second sprint and larger 772-litre boot, and are prepared to pay more to buy and tax it.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Porsche Cayenne RM609,000
- Engine/output: Lexus RX 2,393 cc, 275 hp, 430 Nm; Porsche Cayenne 2,995 cc, 335 hp, 450 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 seconds; Porsche Cayenne 5.7 seconds
- Size: Lexus RX 4,890 mm long, 1,920 mm wide; Porsche Cayenne 4,930 mm long, 2,194 mm wide
- Boot and tank: Lexus RX 612 litres, 68 litres; Porsche Cayenne 772 litres, 75 litres
- Warranty and road tax: Lexus RX 5 years, RM754/year; Porsche Cayenne 4 years, RM1,632/year
RX
- Much lower purchase price
- Lower RM754 annual road tax
- Longer five-year warranty
- Slower 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 612-litre boot
- Less power at 275 hp
Cayenne
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 772-litre boot
- More power at 335 hp
- Costs RM140,112 more
- Higher RM1,632 annual road tax
- Shorter four-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 468,888✓ | RM 609,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 24-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Tiptronic S |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Porsche |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 5.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 10.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 248 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,930 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 2,194 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,698 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,895 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,130 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres | 772 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 295/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 295/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Hankook Ventus S1 evoZ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" RS Spyder Design |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" RS Spyder Design |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | Porsche Adaptive Air Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Driver and Front Passenger Knee, Front Side, Front 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 | Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian 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) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 | 14-way Power Adjustable with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | 40:20:40 Split-folding with Remote Release |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered sunshades for rear side windows |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 12.3" Porsche Communication Manager with Porsche Connect Plus, Apple CarPlay, 14-speaker 710-watt Bose Surround Sound 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 Button | Push Start Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| 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, 360-degree Surround View System |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 754✓ | RM 1,632 |
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.
RX vs Cayenne FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Porsche Cayenne better?
The Porsche Cayenne is better for performance and cargo space, with 335 hp and a 772-litre boot. The Lexus RX is better for running costs, with lower road tax and a longer five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Cayenne costs RM140,112 more than the Lexus RX. That gap buys more power, a quicker 0-100 km/h time and a larger boot, but also brings higher annual road tax.
Which SUV is faster?
The Porsche Cayenne is faster. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, while the Lexus RX takes 7.6 seconds. The Cayenne also has more power and torque, at 335 hp and 450 Nm.