Verdict
At RM1,379,000, the Lexus LC asks RM656,112 more than the RM722,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE. That is a vast gap when the AMG CLE is quicker to 100 km/h at 4.2 seconds, carries four people with a 420-litre boot and brings all-wheel drive. The LC counters with a 470-hp 4.969-litre naturally aspirated V8, 270 km/h top speed and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty with 100,000 km free servicing. For Malaysian ownership, its RM10,991 annual road tax is hard to ignore beside the AMG CLE's RM2,128.
Pick the Lexus LC if you want the 470-hp V8, 270 km/h top speed and five-year warranty badly enough to accept the much higher purchase price and road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want the faster 4.2-second sprint, all-wheel drive, 420-litre boot and a RM656,112 lower entry price.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus LC 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds.
- Driveline: Lexus LC rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Lexus LC 197 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres.
- Annual road tax: Lexus LC RM10,991; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM2,128.
- Warranty: Lexus LC five years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE two years unlimited mileage.
LC
- 470-hp 4.969-litre naturally aspirated V8
- 270 km/h top speed
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty with 100,000 km free service
- RM656,112 dearer to buy
- RM10,991 annual road tax versus RM2,128
- 197-litre boot versus 420 litres
AMG CLE
- 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive
- 420-litre boot with 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- 360-degree camera, head-up display and 15-speaker Burmester sound system
- 443 hp versus the Lexus LC's 470 hp
- 250 km/h top speed versus 270 km/h
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,379,000 | RM722,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM10,991 | RM2,128✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp at 7,100 rpm✓ | 443 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 4,800 rpm | 560 Nm at 560 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | 10 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 267 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer 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), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated and Heated | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.3" Lexus Premium Audio Remote Touch Controller with 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Sound System, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | — |
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 LC & AMG CLE for sale
LC vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is the stronger rational choice: it is quicker to 100 km/h, has all-wheel drive and a 420-litre boot. Choose the Lexus LC for its naturally aspirated 4.969-litre V8, higher 270 km/h top speed and longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM656,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE. Its annual road tax is also RM8,863 higher: RM10,991 against RM2,128.
Which coupe is more practical for luggage and passengers?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is more practical. Both seat four and have two doors, but the AMG CLE has a 420-litre boot, 50:50 split-folding rear seats and rear air-conditioning vents; the Lexus LC has a 197-litre boot.
