Verdict
The Lexus LC is the emotional choice, but it asks RM1,379,000 and RM10,991 a year in road tax for its 470 hp, 540 Nm 5.0-litre V8. It reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, 1.8 seconds ahead of the Mercedes-Benz CLE. Yet the RM518,888 CLE is the more rational Malaysian coupe: its 255 hp 2.0-litre petrol hybrid system, 23 hp motor and all-wheel drive come with RM380 annual road tax, while its 460-litre boot is 263 litres larger. The LC’s 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension and V8 are the reason to spend more, not practicality.
Pick the Lexus LC if a 470 hp naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8, 4.4-second sprint and 21-inch-wheel presence matter more than price, tax and luggage room.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and far lower RM380 annual road tax in a coupe costing RM860,112 less.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus LC 470 hp/540 Nm; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp/400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus LC 4.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds.
- Road tax per year: Lexus LC RM10,991; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM380.
- Boot space: Lexus LC 197 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres.
- Driveline: Lexus LC rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive.
LC
- 470 hp and 540 Nm from a 4,969 cc naturally aspirated V8.
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 270 km/h top speed.
- 21-inch alloys, adaptive suspension and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson system.
- Costs RM860,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE.
- RM10,991 annual road tax versus RM380.
- 197-litre boot and no split-folding rear seats, against 460 litres and 60:40 folding in the CLE.
CLE
- RM518,888 price and RM380 annual road tax.
- 460-litre boot, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and rear air-con vents.
- All-wheel drive, 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
- 255 hp and 400 Nm trail the LC’s 470 hp and 540 Nm.
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.8 seconds slower than the LC.
- 250 km/h top speed is 20 km/h below the LC’s 270 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,379,000 | RM518,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM10,991 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 10 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.2 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 | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available for Rear 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| 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 (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-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 | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 6 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 & CLE for sale
LC vs CLE FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is better for most buyers: it costs RM860,112 less, has all-wheel drive and a 460-litre boot. Choose the Lexus LC for the 470 hp V8, 4.4-second sprint and 270 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM1,379,000, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888. The difference is RM860,112 in favour of the CLE.
Which coupe is faster?
The Lexus LC is decisively faster. Its 470 hp V8 reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 270 km/h; the Mercedes-Benz CLE records 6.2 seconds and 250 km/h.