Verdict
At RM499,000, the Eletre is only RM112 dearer than the RM498,888 GLE, yet it brings a 112-kWh battery, 600-km EV range and 350-kW DC charging against the Mercedes’ 31-kWh battery and 114-km electric range. It is also quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds rather than 6.1, and its 688-litre boot beats 490 litres. The GLE answers with Malaysian CKD assembly, Airmatic air suspension, ventilated massage seats and a panoramic sliding roof. Choose based on charging access: the Lotus is the stronger electric SUV; the Mercedes retains petrol-PHEV flexibility.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you can charge regularly and want 600 km of EV range, 4.5-second 0-100 km/h pace and a 688-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need an 85-litre petrol tank alongside PHEV running, air suspension and more indulgent front seats.
Key differences
- Electric hardware: Eletre has a 112-kWh battery and 600-km EV range; GLE has a 31-kWh battery and 114-km EV range.
- Charging: Eletre supports 22-kW AC and 350-kW DC charging; GLE supports 11-kW AC charging and has no DC rate listed.
- Motor output: Eletre’s two motors produce 603 hp and 710 Nm; GLE’s one motor produces 154 hp and 440 Nm.
- Performance: Eletre reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and tops out at 258 km/h; GLE takes 6.1 seconds and reaches 210 km/h.
- Cargo space: Eletre has a 688-litre boot; GLE has a 490-litre boot.
- Annual road tax: Eletre costs RM1,440; GLE costs RM440.
Eletre
- 600-km EV range from a 112-kWh battery.
- 350-kW DC charging and 22-kW AC charging.
- 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 10 airbags and 688-litre boot.
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus RM440 for the GLE.
- No panoramic sliding roof or front-seat massage and ventilation functions.
GLE
- Malaysian CKD assembly and RM440 annual road tax.
- Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping.
- Ventilated massage front seats, panoramic sliding roof and auto parking.
- 114-km EV range and a 31-kWh battery versus the Eletre’s 600 km and 112 kWh.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time and lower 210-km/h top speed.
- 490-litre boot is 198 litres smaller than the Eletre’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM499,000 | RM498,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,440 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | 710 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 112 kWh✓ | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km✓ | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 258 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,103 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 2,135 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,019 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,490 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 688 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags) | 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two 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 | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View | 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 Eletre & GLE for sale
Eletre vs GLE FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Eletre is better if home or destination charging is part of your routine, delivering 600 km of EV range and much stronger acceleration. The GLE is the better fit if you want petrol-PHEV flexibility, air suspension and ventilated massage seats.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM112 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, so purchase price is effectively a tie.
Which is quicker, the Lotus Eletre or Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The Lotus Eletre is quicker, completing 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds versus 6.1 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Its 258-km/h top speed also exceeds the GLE’s 210 km/h.
