Lexus RX vs Volvo XC90
Verdict
The Volvo XC90 is RM50,000 cheaper than the Lexus RX and adds two seats, so it is the more useful family SUV if you need a third row. The RX counters with a stronger 2.4-litre petrol engine, 275 hp and 430 Nm versus 249 hp and 350 Nm, yet the sprint is almost identical at 7.6 versus 7.7 seconds. Lexus also has the larger quoted boot, 612 litres against 451 litres. This is a needs call, not a performance knockout.
RX
Pick the Lexus RX if you want five-seat luxury with the stronger engine, bigger quoted boot and slightly quicker 0-100 km/h time.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a lower price and a longer wheelbase for family use.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888
- Seats: Lexus RX 5; Volvo XC90 7
- Output: Lexus RX 275 hp/430 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp/350 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 s; Volvo XC90 7.7 s
- Wheelbase: Lexus RX 2,850 mm; Volvo XC90 2,984 mm
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 L; Volvo XC90 451 L
RX
- Stronger output: 275 hp and 430 Nm
- Larger quoted boot: 612 litres
- Slightly quicker 0-100 km/h: 7.6 seconds
- Five seats only
- RM50,000 dearer
- Higher annual road tax: RM754
XC90
- Seven-seat cabin
- RM50,000 cheaper
- Longer 2,984 mm wheelbase
- Less power and torque: 249 hp and 350 Nm
- Smaller quoted boot: 451 litres
- Marginally slower 0-100 km/h: 7.7 seconds
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 468,888 | RM 418,888✓ |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 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 | 7.6 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| 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) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | 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) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | 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 with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | — |
| 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" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 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 Button | 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 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 754 | RM 428✓ |
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 XC90 FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Volvo XC90 better?
The Volvo XC90 is better for most family duties because it costs RM50,000 less and has seven seats. Pick the Lexus RX if five seats are enough and you want 275 hp, 430 Nm and a 612-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX is RM468,888 and the Volvo XC90 is RM418,888, so the Lexus costs RM50,000 more.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Volvo XC90 has seven seats and the longer 2,984 mm wheelbase. The Lexus RX has the bigger 612-litre quoted boot. If you carry people, Volvo; if you carry luggage with five on board, Lexus.