Lexus ES vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Verdict
At RM320,888 versus RM355,888, the Lexus ES is RM35,000 cheaper, but this is not a straight bargain win. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the quicker, roomier-feeling car on paper: 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h against 9.1 seconds, 320 Nm against 247 Nm, a 2,961 mm wheelbase against 2,870 mm, and a 540-litre boot against 420 litres. The ES counters with 10 airbags, a five-year warranty and slightly more power at 204 hp. For Malaysia, the E-Class also has much lower annual road tax at RM380 versus RM867.
Pick the Lexus ES if you want the lower purchase price, one extra warranty year and 10 airbags over chasing acceleration or boot space.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the stronger on-paper drive, bigger boot and lower annual road tax, and can accept the RM35,000 higher price.
Key differences
- Engine and output: Lexus ES 2,487 cc with 204 hp and 247 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 1,999 cc with 201 hp and 320 Nm
- Acceleration and top speed: Lexus ES 0-100 km/h in 9.1 s and 210 km/h; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 s and 240 km/h
- Driven wheels: Lexus ES front-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz E-Class rear-wheel drive
- Size and wheelbase: Lexus ES 4,975 mm long with a 2,870 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4,949 mm long with a 2,961 mm wheelbase
- Boot and fuel tank: Lexus ES 420 L and 60 L; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 L and 66 L
- Safety and ownership: Lexus ES 10 airbags, five-year warranty and RM867 road tax; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 9 airbags, four-year warranty and RM380 road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,888✓ | RM 355,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 2,487 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 204 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.1 s | 7.5 s✓ |
| Top speed | 210 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 1.0 kWh |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,975 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Boot space | 420 L | 540 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 60 L | 66 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10✓ | 9 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 867 | RM 380✓ |
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.
ES
- RM35,000 cheaper to buy
- 10 airbags versus 9 in the E-Class
- Five-year warranty instead of four
- Slower 9.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 420-litre boot
- Higher RM867 annual road tax
E-Class
- Quicker 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Bigger 540-litre boot
- Lower RM380 annual road tax
- Costs RM35,000 more
- One year shorter warranty
- One fewer airbag
ES vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus ES or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better if you judge by acceleration, torque, wheelbase, boot space and road tax. The Lexus ES is better if purchase price, airbag count and warranty length matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM35,000 more than the Lexus ES. That gap buys stronger torque, quicker acceleration, a larger boot and lower annual road tax, but the Lexus gets more airbags and a longer warranty.
Which has more boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the larger boot at 540 litres, compared with 420 litres in the Lexus ES. That is a 120-litre advantage, useful if rear luggage space is a priority.