Verdict
The Lexus RX asks RM468,888 against RM498,888 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE, so the Lexus starts RM30,000 lower and gives you more peak output, a larger 612-litre boot and a five-year warranty. The GLE is the quicker, bigger car: 0-100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds versus 7.6, and its 2,995 mm wheelbase beats the RX by 145 mm. Its plug-in hybrid system also brings a 31.0 kWh battery and 114 km EV range, useful if you can charge at home or at work. Both are five-seat AWD SUVs with seven airbags and AEB.
RX
Pick the Lexus RX if you want the bigger boot, stronger petrol output and five-year warranty more than plug-in hybrid running.
GLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can charge regularly and want the quicker 6.1-second 0-100 km/h SUV with 114 km of EV range.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Lexus RX 275 hp/430 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp/400 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 s; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 s
- Battery and EV range: Lexus RX —/—; Mercedes-Benz GLE 31.0 kWh/114 km
- Size: Lexus RX 4,890 mm long and 1,920 mm wide; Mercedes-Benz GLE 4,924 mm long and 1,947 mm wide
- Wheelbase and boot: Lexus RX 2,850 mm/612 L; Mercedes-Benz GLE 2,995 mm/490 L
- Warranty and road tax: Lexus RX 5 years/RM754; Mercedes-Benz GLE 4 years/RM440
RX
- Lower RM468,888 price
- Larger 612-litre boot
- Higher 275 hp and 430 Nm outputs
- Slower 7.6-second 0-100 km/h
- No listed battery or EV range
- Shorter 2,850 mm wheelbase
GLE
- Quicker 6.1-second 0-100 km/h
- 31.0 kWh battery with 114 km EV range
- Longer 2,995 mm wheelbase
- RM30,000 dearer
- Smaller 490-litre boot
- Lower 248 hp and 400 Nm outputs
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM468,888✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM754 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 6.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on two 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) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | Yes, with Surround View 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 RX & GLE for sale
RX vs GLE FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is better for performance and plug-in hybrid use, with 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h and 114 km EV range. The Lexus RX is better if you prioritise boot space, warranty and a lower price.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM30,000 more than the Lexus RX.
Which one has more boot space?
The Lexus RX has the larger boot at 612 litres, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE has 490 litres.
