Verdict
At RM395,888, the Lexus NX costs RM28,000 more than the RM367,888 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, yet the E-Class is quicker to 100 km/h by 0.2 seconds and brings 320 Nm against 221 Nm. It is also 289 mm longer, has a 271 mm longer wheelbase and a slightly larger 540-litre boot. The NX answers with all-wheel drive, two electric motors, ventilated front seats and a head-up display. For Malaysian ownership costs, the E-Class road tax is RM380 a year versus RM830, while Lexus gives a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty to Mercedes-Benz's four years.
Pick the Lexus NX if you want an all-wheel-drive SUV with 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, a head-up display and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the lower RM367,888 entry price, stronger 320 Nm turbo-hybrid output, executive-sedan proportions and nine airbags.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Performance: Lexus NX 184 hp/221 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp/320 Nm and 7.5 seconds.
- Driveline: Lexus NX all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz E-Class rear-wheel drive.
- Dimensions: Lexus NX is 4,660 mm long with a 2,690 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 4,949 mm long with a 2,961 mm wheelbase.
- Road tax: Lexus NX RM830 per year; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM380 per year.
- Safety and warranty: Lexus NX has seven airbags and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has nine airbags and a four-year…
NX
- All-wheel drive and two electric motors.
- Ventilated front seats and head-up display.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- RM28,000 pricier and incurs RM450 more annual road tax.
- Lower 221 Nm torque and 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Smaller 520-litre boot and two fewer airbags.
E-Class
- 201 hp and 320 Nm, with a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 540-litre boot, 2,961 mm wheelbase and nine airbags.
- RM380 annual road tax and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- No head-up display or ventilated front seats.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 7.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer 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 | 3 LED Projectors | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key | — |
| 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 NX & E-Class for sale
NX vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the stronger rational buy: it costs RM28,000 less, has 320 Nm, nine airbags, lower road tax and a larger boot. Choose the Lexus NX for SUV form, all-wheel drive, ventilated seats, head-up display and its longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM395,888 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888, so the NX is RM28,000 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has lower annual road tax at RM380, compared with RM830 for the Lexus NX. That is a RM450 yearly difference in the E-Class's favour.
