Verdict
At RM366,888 for the Lexus ES and RM367,888 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the money is effectively tied. The E-Class is the driver’s choice on the numbers: 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h against the ES’s 150 hp, 188 Nm and 9.4 seconds. It also has a 540-litre boot. The ES counters with 197 PS combined hybrid output, a 111-hp motor and RM374 annual road tax, RM6 below its rival. For Malaysian commuting, choose pace and luggage space versus the hybrid system and marginally lower tax.
Pick the Lexus ES if you want the 197 PS hybrid system, stronger 111-hp motor assistance and marginally lower annual road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want 201 hp, 320 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a much quicker 7.5-second century sprint.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus ES RM366,888; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Performance: Lexus ES 0-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class in 7.5 seconds.
- Torque: Lexus ES 188 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 320 Nm.
- Driveline: Lexus ES front-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz E-Class rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Lexus ES 487 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres.
- Fuel tank: Lexus ES 55 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 66 litres.
ES
- 197 PS combined hybrid output
- 111-hp electric motor
- RM374 annual road tax
- Slower 9.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 487-litre boot
- 55-litre tank is 11 litres smaller
E-Class
- 201 hp and 320 Nm
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 540-litre boot and 66-litre tank
- Costs RM1,000 more
- Annual road tax is RM380, versus RM374
- 23-hp motor is far smaller than the ES's 111-hp unit
What the E-Class has over the ES
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ES is 40 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the E-Class: 540 litres against 487.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM366,888✓ | RM367,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | — | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM374✓ | RM380 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,745/mo✓ | RM3,755/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,852✓ | RM9,878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 2.0L Hybrid, combined output 197 PS | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,987 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 150 hp at 6,000 rpm | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 188 Nm | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14.0 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 111 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 206 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.4 seconds | 7.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,140 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,555 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,950 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 487 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | — | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | — | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | — | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | — | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Electric power steering, variable gear ratio | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Revised TNGA GA-K platform; MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear (first ES with multi-link); electric power steering with variable gear ratio | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 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 |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | — | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | — | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Hidden-until-lit dashboard switches for climate and vehicle functions with media volume dial; sixth-generation Lexus hybrid system; 12.3-inch digital meter | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | — | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used ES & E-Class for sale
Our reviews & guides
Lexus ES
ES vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus ES or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better for performance, rear-wheel-drive dynamics and boot space, with 201 hp, 320 Nm and a 540-litre boot. Choose the Lexus ES for its 197 PS hybrid system, 111-hp motor and slightly lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM1,000 more than the Lexus ES. That is a very small gap at this price level, so the E-Class’s 1.9-second quicker 0-100 km/h time is the more meaningful distinction.
Which is quicker, the Lexus ES or Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds versus 9.4 seconds for the Lexus ES. Its 201 hp and 320 Nm also exceed the ES’s 150 hp and 188 Nm engine figures.