Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888, RM17,084 less than the Volkswagen Touareg, and its RM380 annual road tax is far easier to absorb than RM1,632. It is the sensible executive sedan choice if 540 litres of boot space and rear-wheel drive suit your use. But the Touareg brings 335 hp and 450 Nm against 201 hp and 320 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds versus 7.5. Its 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive and air suspension make the extra spend meaningful for buyers who need SUV utility.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the lower RM380 annual road tax, a sedan body and auto parking for less money.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need 810 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Power and torque: E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm; Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Performance: E-Class 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and 240 km/h; Touareg 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Boot space: E-Class 540 litres; Touareg 810 litres.
- Road tax: E-Class RM380 per year; Touareg RM1,632 per year.
- Safety airbags: E-Class 9; Touareg 6.
E-Class
- RM17,084 lower purchase price
- RM380 annual road tax
- Nine airbags and auto parking
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- 540-litre boot trails the Touareg's 810 litres
- Four-year warranty versus five years
Touareg
- 335 hp and 450 Nm V6
- 810-litre boot and all-wheel drive
- Air suspension, night vision and HD Matrix LED headlamps
- RM17,084 higher purchase price
- RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM380
- Six airbags versus nine, and no auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM367,888✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm | 335 hp at 5,300 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 450 Nm at 1,340 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92.4 mm | 84.5 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler AG | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,949 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,961 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,825 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 540 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/40R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 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 E-Class & Touareg for sale
E-Class vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The E-Class is the better buy for lower running costs and sedan use, with RM380 annual road tax and nine airbags. Choose the Touareg for stronger performance, SUV packaging and its 810-litre boot, provided its RM1,632 road tax suits your budget.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM17,084 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Which has more luggage space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the larger boot at 810 litres, 270 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's 540 litres. Its 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats also differ from the E-Class's 60:40 arrangement.
