Verdict
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM130,198 less at RM368,690, yet brings a 122.49-kWh battery, 600 km EV range and a remarkable 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time. Its annual road tax is a hefty RM9,140, however, against the GLE plug-in hybrid’s RM440. The Mercedes-Benz GLE answers with 85 litres of petrol-backed touring flexibility, CKD assembly and SUV height, but its 31-kWh battery covers 114 km electrically and 0-100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds. For buyers who can charge regularly, the Denza is far more ambitious hardware for less money.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 600 km of electric range, 1,140 hp from three motors and a 495-litre boot for RM368,690.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need an SUV’s 1,772-mm height and petrol plug-in hybrid backup beyond its 114-km EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Denza Z9 GT RM368,690; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Electric range: Denza Z9 GT 600 km; Mercedes-Benz GLE 114 km.
- 0-100 km/h: Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds.
- Battery capacity: Denza Z9 GT 122.49 kWh; Mercedes-Benz GLE 31 kWh.
- Annual road tax: Denza Z9 GT RM9,140; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440.
- Length: Denza Z9 GT 5,180 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLE 4,924 mm.
Z9 GT
- RM130,198 cheaper.
- 600-km EV range and 1,500-kW DC charging rate.
- Powered rear seats with extendable leg rests and front/rear fridges.
- RM9,140 annual road tax versus the GLE’s RM440.
- Wagon body is 282 mm lower than the GLE.
- 2,895 kg kerb weight is 210 kg higher.
GLE
- Petrol plug-in hybrid with an 85-litre fuel tank.
- CKD Malaysian assembly.
- 21-inch wheels, with 275/45 front and 315/40 rear tyres.
- Costs RM130,198 more.
- Only 114 km of EV range versus 600 km.
- 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Denza’s 2.7 seconds.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 3 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh✓ | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km✓ | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW | — |
| V2L | 4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 2.7 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | 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 | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | All Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage Battery Warranty | 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 Z9 GT & GLE for sale
Z9 GT vs GLE FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Denza Z9 GT is the stronger choice for electric driving, performance and price: 600 km range, 2.7-second 0-100 km/h and RM368,690. Choose the GLE for its SUV format and petrol plug-in hybrid capability.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, which is RM130,198 more than the Denza Z9 GT at RM368,690.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has lower annual road tax at RM440. The Denza Z9 GT is RM9,140 per year, a difference of RM8,700.