Verdict
The Lexus LX costs RM1,540,000, RM540,112 above the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL’s RM999,888, and that gulf buys a 5,100-mm, seven-seat SUV with AWD and 650 Nm from its 3.4-litre V6 hybrid. It is the family-scale choice, but carries RM2,352 annual road tax and needs 6.5 seconds to 100 km/h. The lighter 1,810-kg AMG SL is a four-seat, rear-drive convertible; its 4.9-second sprint, 275-km/h top speed and RM376 road tax suit a very different Malaysian use case.
Pick the Lexus LX if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive and 650 Nm for a large luxury SUV.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the faster, far cheaper-to-tax four-seat convertible with a 275-km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LX RM1,540,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888.
- Annual road tax: Lexus LX RM2,352; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM376.
- Performance: Lexus LX 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and 210 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 seconds and 275 km/h.
- Seating and doors: Lexus LX has seven seats and five doors; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has four seats and two doors.
- Size and weight: Lexus LX is 5,100 mm long and 2,840 kg; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is 4,705 mm long and 1,810 kg.
- Driveline and torque: Lexus LX has AWD and 650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has rear-wheel drive and 480 Nm.
LX
- Seven seats and five doors.
- 650 Nm V6 hybrid output with AWD.
- Longer 5,100-mm SUV body.
- RM540,112 more expensive.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds versus 4.9 seconds.
- Annual road tax is RM2,352 versus RM376.
AMG SL
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 275-km/h top speed.
- RM540,112 lower purchase price.
- 17-speaker Burmester audio, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
- Four seats versus the Lexus LX’s seven.
- Rear-wheel drive versus AWD.
- 480 Nm torque versus 650 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,540,000 | RM999,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Luxury | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,352 | RM376✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection, variable valve timing and electric hybrid module | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 3,445 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 415 hp at 5,200 rpm✓ | 375 hp at 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | 650 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ | 480 Nm at 3,250 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 49 hp✓ | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | 10 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.5 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 10 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 227 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,100 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,885 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,840 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | — | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/50 R22 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50 R22 | 305/30R21 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | — | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | — | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | — | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | — | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 5 (Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | — | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | — | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | — | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | 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, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 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 LX & AMG SL for sale
LX vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the Lexus LX or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
The Lexus LX is better for carrying up to seven people with AWD and 650 Nm. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is better for open-top performance, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds versus 6.5 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LX costs RM540,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL. The LX is RM1,540,000, while the AMG SL is RM999,888.
Which is cheaper to run for annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is cheaper for annual road tax at RM376, compared with RM2,352 for the Lexus LX. That is a yearly difference of RM1,976.
