Verdict
At RM499,000, the Eletre costs only RM112 more than the RM498,888 GLE, yet it is the more forceful and practical proposition: 603 hp, 710 Nm, 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h and a 688-litre boot against 248 hp, 400 Nm, 6.1 seconds and 490 litres. Its 112-kWh battery also claims 600 km versus the GLE plug-in hybrid’s 31 kWh and 114 km electric range. The GLE answers with Malaysian CKD assembly, air suspension, massage and ventilated seats, plus RM440 annual road tax; the Lotus is RM1,440.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 600 km of EV range, 350 kW DC charging and much stronger 4.5-second performance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if massage and ventilated front seats, air suspension and a far lower RM440 annual road tax matter more than EV range and pace.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Eletre RM499,000; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Output: Eletre has 603 hp and 710 Nm from two motors; GLE has a 248 hp, 400 Nm 1,999 cc petrol engine with PHEV assistance.
- Electric system: Eletre has a 112-kWh battery and 600 km range; GLE has a 31-kWh battery and 114 km EV range.
- Charging: Eletre supports 22 kW AC and 350 kW DC; GLE supports 11 kW AC with no DC rate stated.
- Performance and boot: Eletre does 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds with 688 litres; GLE takes 6.1 seconds with 490 litres.
- Road tax and warranty: Eletre is RM1,440 yearly with five years/150,000 km cover; GLE is RM440 yearly with four years/unlimited mileage cover.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
- 112-kWh battery, 600 km EV range and 350 kW DC charging.
- 688-litre boot and a head-up display.
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus the GLE's RM440.
- No panoramic sliding roof, sunroof shade or rear window shades.
- Lacks the GLE's massage and ventilation functions for the front seats, air suspension and auto parking.
GLE
- Airmatic air suspension with ADS PLUS.
- Powered front seats with massage and ventilation, plus a panoramic sliding roof.
- RM440 annual road tax and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- 114 km EV range versus the Eletre's 600 km.
- 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.5 seconds.
- 490-litre boot versus 688 litres, with no head-up display.
| 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 | — | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags | 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 the stronger choice for EV range, charging, acceleration and boot space: 600 km, 350 kW DC, 4.5 seconds and 688 litres. Choose the GLE for air suspension, massage/ventilated seats and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM499,000 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, so the Eletre is RM112 more expensive.
Which SUV has the better charging capability?
The Eletre does. It supports 22 kW AC charging and 350 kW DC charging, against the GLE's 11 kW AC rate; no DC charging rate is stated for the GLE.
