Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is the rational Malaysian pick: RM656,112 less buys a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and a far more useful 420-litre boot. Its 2,999cc turbocharged petrol powertrain also gets a 20 hp electric motor and 560 Nm. But the Lexus LC is the more extreme grand tourer, with a 4,969cc naturally aspirated V8 producing 470 hp, a 270 km/h top speed and an 82-litre tank. The trade-off is RM10,991 annual road tax against RM2,128 for the AMG CLE.
Pick the Lexus LC if you want the 470 hp naturally aspirated 4.969-litre V8, 270 km/h top speed and five-year warranty with free servicing.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want quicker 4.2-second acceleration, all-wheel drive and 420 litres of luggage room for far less money.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888.
- Road tax per year: Lexus LC RM10,991; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM2,128.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus LC 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds.
- Driveline: Lexus LC rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Lexus LC 197 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres.
- Top speed: Lexus LC 270 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 250 km/h.
LC
- 470 hp from a 4,969cc naturally aspirated V8
- 270 km/h top speed and 82-litre fuel tank
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty with five-year/100,000 km free service
- RM656,112 more expensive
- RM10,991 annual road tax versus RM2,128
- 197-litre boot is 223 litres smaller
AMG CLE
- Quicker 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time with all-wheel drive
- 420-litre boot and 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- Head-up display, 360-degree camera and 15-speaker Burmester system
- 443 hp and 250 km/h top speed trail the LC's 470 hp and 270 km/h
- 65-litre fuel tank is 17 litres smaller
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty is shorter than the LC's five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,379,000 | RM722,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM10,991 | RM2,128✓ |
| 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 | 560 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
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 LC & AMG CLE for sale
LC vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The AMG CLE is better for performance per ringgit, daily practicality and lower annual road tax. Choose the LC only if its 470 hp naturally aspirated 4.969-litre V8, higher 270 km/h top speed and longer five-year warranty matter more than cost and boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM656,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE: RM1,379,000 versus RM722,888.
Which has the more usable luggage area?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE does. Its 420-litre boot is more than double the Lexus LC's 197 litres, and its rear seats split 50:50 for longer items.