Verdict
At RM367,888, the E-Class undercuts the RM395,888 NX by RM28,000 and its RM380 annual road tax is RM450 lower. It also brings 201 hp, 320 Nm, a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a 540-litre boot, versus 184 hp, 221 Nm, 7.7 seconds and 520 litres. The NX answers with all-wheel drive, an SUV body and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty; its 2,690-mm wheelbase is much shorter than the E-Class’s 2,961 mm. Pick on layout: Lexus for AWD SUV utility, Mercedes for the stronger numbers and lower outlay.
Pick the Lexus NX if all-wheel drive, SUV packaging, ventilated front seats and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than price and outright performance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want to spend RM28,000 less for more power and torque, a larger boot, longer wheelbase and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Road tax per year: Lexus NX RM830; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM380.
- Power and torque: Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- Performance: Lexus NX 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and 200 km/h; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 seconds and 240 km/h.
- Wheelbase and boot space: Lexus NX 2,690 mm and 520 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2,961 mm and 540 litres.
- Warranty: Lexus NX five years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz E-Class four years unlimited mileage.
NX
- All-wheel drive and five-door SUV body.
- Ventilated front seats, head-up display and panoramic-view camera.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Costs RM28,000 more and has RM450 higher annual road tax.
- Produces 17 hp and 99 Nm less than the E-Class.
- Has a 271-mm shorter wheelbase and 20 litres less boot space.
E-Class
- RM28,000 lower price and RM380 annual road tax.
- 201 hp, 320 Nm and a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 540-litre boot, auto parking and rear window shades.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the NX’s all-wheel drive.
- No head-up display or specified ventilated front seats.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter than the NX’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 7.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer 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 | 3 LED Projectors | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 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.
Used NX & E-Class for sale
NX vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the stronger buy for price, performance, wheelbase and boot space. Choose the Lexus NX if you specifically need all-wheel drive, an SUV body, ventilated front seats and a longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM28,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class: RM395,888 against RM367,888. Its annual road tax is also RM830, compared with RM380 for the E-Class.
Which has the better warranty coverage?
The Lexus NX has the longer manufacturer warranty at five years with unlimited mileage. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class also has unlimited mileage, but coverage lasts four years.