Verdict
The Porsche Cayenne is the quicker, roomier load carrier: its 348 hp and 500 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 5.7 seconds, against the Lexus RX’s 275 hp, 430 Nm and 7.6 seconds, while its boot holds 772 litres versus 612 litres. But the RM140,112 premium is substantial, and annual road tax is RM1,632 against RM754. For Malaysian buyers who prioritise rear-seat comfort and lower ownership outlay, the RX’s ventilated rear seats, rear air-conditioning and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty make more sense. Pick the Cayenne for pace and cargo capacity.
Pick the Lexus RX if lower purchase and road-tax costs, rear air-conditioning, ventilated rear seats and unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Porsche Cayenne if you want 348 hp, a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 772 litres of boot space and air suspension.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Porsche Cayenne RM609,000.
- Power and torque: Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm; Porsche Cayenne 348 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 seconds; Porsche Cayenne 5.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 litres; Porsche Cayenne 772 litres.
- Front-seat adjustment: Lexus RX 10-way; Porsche Cayenne 14-way.
- Warranty: Lexus RX five years with unlimited mileage; Porsche Cayenne four years or 100,000 km.
RX
- RM140,112 cheaper to buy
- RM754 annual road tax
- Heated and ventilated rear seats with rear air-conditioning
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.7 seconds
- 612-litre boot versus 772 litres
- 10-way front seats versus 14-way adjustment
Cayenne
- 348 hp and 500 Nm
- 772-litre boot
- Porsche Adaptive Air Suspension and auto parking
- RM140,112 higher purchase price
- RM1,632 annual road tax
- No rear air-conditioning, while the RX has single-zone rear climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM468,888✓ | RM609,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM754✓ | RM1,632 |
| 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 | 348 hp✓ |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & Cayenne for sale
RX vs Cayenne FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Porsche Cayenne better?
The Lexus RX is the better choice for lower cost and rear-passenger comfort, with rear climate control, ventilated rear seats and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The Porsche Cayenne is better for performance and luggage space, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and carrying 772 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Cayenne costs RM140,112 more than the Lexus RX: RM609,000 versus RM468,888. Its annual road tax is also RM878 higher, at RM1,632 against RM754.
Which is faster, the Lexus RX or Porsche Cayenne?
The Porsche Cayenne is faster. Its 348 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged engine achieves 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, while the Lexus RX’s 275 hp, 430 Nm 2.4-litre turbo takes 7.6 seconds.