Verdict
The Lexus LC is the extravagance choice: its 470 hp 5.0-litre V8, rear-wheel drive and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time put it well beyond the Mercedes-Benz CLE’s 255 hp 2.0-litre hybrid-assisted four-cylinder and 6.2 seconds. But it costs RM1,379,000 against RM518,888, and annual road tax is RM10,991 versus RM380. For most Malaysian buyers, the CLE’s 460-litre boot, all-wheel drive and far lower entry cost make more sense. The LC is for the buyer who specifically wants the V8 experience and accepts its 197-litre boot.
Pick the Lexus LC if a 470 hp naturally aspirated V8, 4.4-second acceleration and 21-inch wheels matter more than purchase price, road tax and luggage space.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and substantially lower ownership entry costs without giving up a well-equipped four-seat coupe.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Performance: Lexus LC 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE in 6.2 seconds.
- Powertrain: Lexus LC 470 hp/540 Nm 4,969 cc V8; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp/400 Nm 1,999 cc inline-four plus 23 hp/205 Nm motor.
- Road tax: Lexus LC RM10,991 per year; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM380 per year.
- Boot space: Lexus LC 197 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres.
- Driveline: Lexus LC rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive.
LC
- 470 hp 5.0-litre V8 and 540 Nm.
- Quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 21-inch wheels and adaptive front suspension.
- RM860,112 more expensive to buy.
- Annual road tax is RM10,611 higher.
- 197-litre boot is 263 litres smaller.
CLE
- 460-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- All-wheel drive plus a hybrid-assist motor.
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
- 255 hp and 400 Nm trail the LC’s 470 hp and 540 Nm.
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.8 seconds slower.
- 19-inch wheels are smaller than the LC’s 21-inch set.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,379,000 | RM518,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM10,991 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp at 7,100 rpm✓ | 255 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 4,800 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 89.5 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 10 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.2 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 | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available for Rear 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| 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 (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-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 | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree 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 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 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 & CLE for sale
LC vs CLE FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is the better fit for most buyers because it costs far less, has all-wheel drive and carries 460 litres of luggage. Choose the Lexus LC only if its 470 hp V8 and 4.4-second sprint are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM860,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE. Its annual road tax is also RM10,611 higher.
Which coupe has the more useful boot?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has the more useful boot at 460 litres, versus 197 litres in the Lexus LC. It also adds 60:40 split-folding rear seats, which the LC does not list.
