Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class brings the firmer Malaysian case because RM380 annual road tax, a 201 hp/320 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol powertrain, 23 hp electric motor and claimed 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time are all defined, alongside a 540-litre boot and extensive driver assistance. The Lexus ES is 191 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 87 mm taller, so it has more road presence, but its 2,950 mm wheelbase is 11 mm shorter. Lexus powertrain, performance, equipment and pricing need confirmation before calling this a level-value contest.
Pick the Lexus ES if you want the larger 5,140 mm-long, 1,920 mm-wide executive sedan and can wait for its Malaysian specification and price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want defined performance, a 540-litre boot, 9G-Tronic rear-wheel drive and a full suite of parking and safety assistance.
Key differences
- Length: Lexus ES 5,140 mm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4,949 mm.
- Width: Lexus ES 1,920 mm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 1,880 mm.
- Height: Lexus ES 1,555 mm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 1,468 mm.
- Wheelbase: Lexus ES 2,950 mm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2,961 mm.
ES
- 191 mm longer body
- 40 mm wider body
- 87 mm taller body
- Wheelbase is 11 mm shorter at 2,950 mm versus 2,961 mm
E-Class
- 201 hp and 320 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol powertrain
- 540-litre boot and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h claim
- Nine airbags, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera
- 191 mm shorter body than the Lexus ES
- 40 mm narrower body than the Lexus ES
- 87 mm lower body than the Lexus ES
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | TBA | RM367,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | — | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | — | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | — | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,140 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,555 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,950 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | — | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 540 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | — | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | — | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | — | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | — | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | — | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | — | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | — | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | — | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | — | 4 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 ES & E-Class for sale
ES vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus ES or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the clearer choice on known specification: it has 201 hp, 320 Nm, a 540-litre boot, nine airbags and extensive assistance systems. Choose the Lexus ES for its larger exterior footprint, but key Malaysian specifications remain unconfirmed.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888, while the Lexus ES price is still to be announced. A price difference cannot yet be calculated.
Which one has the larger cabin footprint?
The Lexus ES has the larger exterior body at 5,140 mm long and 1,920 mm wide, but the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the longer 2,961 mm wheelbase, 11 mm more than the Lexus. Both seat five.
