Verdict
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888, RM79,112 below the Toyota Alphard’s RM548,000, yet its 2.4-litre turbo four makes a near-identical 275 hp and 430 Nm against 274 hp and 430 Nm. The RX is the more compact five-seat choice, and its all-wheel drive, 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 612-litre boot suit drivers carrying luggage rather than people. The Alphard is the proper seven-seat people mover: its 3,000-mm wheelbase, captain’s chairs and power sliding doors matter far more for family or chauffeured use.
RX
Pick the Lexus RX if you want all-wheel drive, a 612-litre boot and five-seat SUV packaging for RM79,112 less.
Alphard
Pick the Toyota Alphard if you need seven seats, a 3,000-mm wheelbase and power sliding doors.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Toyota Alphard RM548,000.
- Seating: Lexus RX 5 seats; Toyota Alphard 7 seats.
- Driveline: Lexus RX all-wheel drive; Toyota Alphard front-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: Lexus RX 2,850 mm; Toyota Alphard 3,000 mm.
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 litres; Toyota Alphard 510 litres.
- Airbags: Lexus RX 7; Toyota Alphard 6.
RX
- All-wheel drive with 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- 612-litre boot, 102 litres larger than the Alphard’s.
- Seven airbags and Adaptive Variable Suspension.
- Five seats versus the Alphard’s seven.
- No power sliding doors.
- No rear panoramic glass roof or powered rear sun shades.
Alphard
- Seven seats with middle-row ottoman captain’s chairs.
- Power sliding doors with soft close function.
- 3,000-mm wheelbase and dual-zone rear air-conditioning.
- RM79,112 more expensive.
- 510-litre boot is 102 litres smaller than the RX’s.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive, and six airbags rather than seven.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM468,888✓ | RM548,000 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM754 | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 274 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| 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 | 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 | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| 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 | — | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push 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 with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power sliding with soft close function |
| 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 | 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.
Used RX & Alphard for sale
RX vs Alphard FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Toyota Alphard better?
The RX is better for a driver wanting all-wheel drive, quicker stated 0-100 km/h performance and a larger boot. The Alphard is better for carrying people, with seven seats, captain’s chairs and power sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard costs RM79,112 more than the Lexus RX.
Which has more luggage space?
The Lexus RX has the larger boot at 612 litres, compared with 510 litres for the Toyota Alphard. That is a 102-litre advantage for the Lexus despite its smaller five-seat cabin.