Lexus LC vs Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE
Verdict
The Lexus LC is the dearer, more traditional grand tourer: RM1,379,000, a 4,969 cc naturally aspirated V engine, 470 hp and a 270 km/h top speed. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888 and is the sharper buy on numbers, with 650 Nm, all-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and a much larger 420-litre boot. For Malaysia, the RM656,112 gap is hard to ignore, especially with road tax at RM10,991 versus RM2,128, though the Lexus counters with a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and free service package.
Pick the Lexus LC if you want the larger naturally aspirated engine, 270 km/h top speed, longer five-year warranty and five-year/100,000 km free service.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want the quicker 0-100 km/h time, far lower price, all-wheel drive and a proper 420-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888
- Engine capacity: Lexus LC 4,969 cc; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 2,999 cc
- Output: Lexus LC 470 hp and 540 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp and 650 Nm
- Acceleration: Lexus LC 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds
- Boot space: Lexus LC 197 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres
- Warranty: Lexus LC 5 years, unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 2 years, unlimited mileage
LC
- 470 hp from a 4,969 cc naturally aspirated V engine
- Higher 270 km/h top speed
- Five-year warranty plus five-year/100,000 km free service
- RM656,112 more expensive to buy
- Much smaller 197-litre boot
- Higher annual road tax at RM10,991 versus RM2,128
AMG CLE
- Quicker 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- 650 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Larger 420-litre boot with 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- Shorter two-year warranty
- Lower 250 km/h top speed
- Less peak power at 443 hp versus 470 hp
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 1,379,000 | RM 722,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp✓ | 443 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | 2200 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | 10 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 267 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer 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), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated and Heated | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.3" Lexus Premium Audio Remote Touch Controller with 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Sound System, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 10,991 | RM 2,128✓ |
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.
LC vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
On numbers, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is better for most Malaysian buyers: it is RM656,112 cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h and has far more boot space. The Lexus LC suits buyers prioritising its naturally aspirated 4,969 cc engine and longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM1,379,000, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888. That makes the Lexus RM656,112 more expensive before considering road tax, which is also higher at RM10,991 versus RM2,128 per year.
Which car is quicker and more practical?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is quicker from 0-100 km/h at 4.2 seconds versus 4.4 seconds, and it has the bigger boot at 420 litres versus 197 litres. The Lexus LC has the higher 270 km/h top speed.