Verdict
The RM30,000-cheaper Lexus RX is the more straightforward choice: it has a larger 612-litre boot, 275 hp and 430 Nm, plus adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. The Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging, giving owners with regular charging access a proper electric-driving option. It is also quicker at 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h against 7.6 seconds, but its 490-litre boot and 2,685 kg kerb weight are the trade-offs. The Lexus also carries a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus four years.
Pick the Lexus RX if you want the lower entry price, a 612-litre boot and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can charge regularly and want 114 km of EV range, 6.1-second acceleration and a longer 2,995 mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Powertrain: Lexus RX 275 hp/430 Nm 2.4-litre petrol; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp/400 Nm 2.0-litre petrol PHEV plus 154 hp/440 Nm motor.
- EV hardware: Lexus RX has no motor or battery; Mercedes-Benz GLE has one motor, a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds.
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 litres.
- Wheelbase and weight: Lexus RX 2,850 mm and 1,914 kg; Mercedes-Benz GLE 2,995 mm and 2,685 kg.
RX
- RM30,000 lower purchase price
- Larger 612-litre boot
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and a head-up display
- No plug-in hybrid system, EV range or AC charging capability
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 7.6 seconds versus 6.1 seconds
- Higher annual road tax: RM754 versus RM440
GLE
- 31 kWh PHEV battery with 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging
- Quicker 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Panoramic sliding roof, auto parking and front-seat massage
- RM30,000 higher purchase price
- Smaller 490-litre boot
- Heavier at 2,685 kg versus 1,914 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM468,888✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM754 | RM440✓ |
| 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 PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 6.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Pirelli P Zero |
| 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" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 | 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 | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester 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 | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| 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 Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 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 & GLE for sale
RX vs GLE FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
Choose the Lexus RX for the bigger boot, lower price and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE if 114 km of EV range, 11 kW AC charging and faster acceleration matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM30,000 more than the Lexus RX: RM498,888 versus RM468,888.
Which has the better warranty coverage?
The Lexus RX has a five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty, one year longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLE's four-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The GLE adds an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
