Verdict
The Lexus RX costs RM25,000 more at RM468,888, but its SUV body brings a 612-litre boot, 68-litre fuel tank and 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty. It is also the easier pick for rear-seat comfort, with heated and ventilated reclining rear seats. The RM443,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is the performance choice: 402 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 275 hp, 430 Nm and 7.6 seconds. Its RM380 annual road tax also undercuts the RX’s RM754.
RX
Pick the Lexus RX if you need the 612-litre boot, SUV height and properly equipped rear seats, and can accept 7.6-second acceleration.
AMG C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class if 402 hp, 500 Nm, a 4.6-second sprint and lower RM380 annual road tax matter more than cargo space.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class RM443,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 402 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX 7.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 4.6 seconds.
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 455 litres.
- Fuel tank: Lexus RX 68 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 50 litres.
- Annual road tax: Lexus RX RM754; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class RM380.
RX
- 612-litre boot and 68-litre fuel tank.
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats; rear seats also power recline.
- 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and rear cross traffic alert.
- 275 hp and 430 Nm trail the AMG C-Class’s 402 hp and 500 Nm.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.0 seconds slower.
- RM754 annual road tax is RM374 higher.
AMG C-Class
- 402 hp, 500 Nm and 4.6-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- RM380 annual road tax.
- 15-speaker Burmester sound system and panoramic glass roof.
- 455-litre boot is 157 litres smaller than the RX’s.
- 50-litre fuel tank is 18 litres smaller.
- 4-year unlimited-mileage warranty is one year shorter, and rear cross traffic alert is not listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 468,888 | RM 443,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 265/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 19" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front 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 on Outer Two 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) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 4x Front USB-C, 1x Wireless Charger |
| 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 | — | Panoramic Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester 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 Button | Keyless Push Button |
| 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 754 | 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.
Used RX & AMG C-Class for sale
RX vs AMG C-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class better?
The RX is better for space and rear-seat amenities, with a 612-litre boot and heated, ventilated reclining rear seats. The AMG C-Class is better for pace, producing 402 hp and reaching 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class costs RM443,888, so the RX is RM25,000 more expensive.
Which has lower running costs on road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class has lower annual road tax at RM380, compared with RM754 for the Lexus RX. That is a RM374 yearly difference.