Verdict
The Lotus Eletre reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz CLE’s 6.2 seconds, and pairs its 603-hp, 710-Nm twin-motor system with a 112-kWh battery, 600-km range and 350-kW DC charging. Its five seats, 688-litre boot and 3,019-mm wheelbase make it the practical choice. The CLE has the lower RM380 annual road tax, versus RM1,440, plus Digital Light Matrix LEDs and heated, ventilated memory front seats. But its 460-litre boot and four-seat layout fit a narrower brief. The Eletre’s 2,135-mm width needs consideration in tight Malaysian parking.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you need five seats and a 688-litre boot, while wanting 600 km of EV range and 4.5-second 0-100 km/h pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want a four-seat coupe with lower RM380 annual road tax, Digital Light Matrix LEDs and heated, ventilated memory front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Eletre RM499,000; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds.
- Boot space: Lotus Eletre 688 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres.
- Seating: Lotus Eletre five seats; Mercedes-Benz CLE four seats.
- Annual road tax: Lotus Eletre RM1,440; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM380.
- Dimensions: Lotus Eletre is 5,103 mm long and 2,135 mm wide; Mercedes-Benz CLE is 4,850 mm long and 1,860 mm wide.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two electric motors
- 112-kWh battery, 600-km EV range and 350-kW DC charging
- Five seats and a 688-litre boot
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus the CLE’s RM380
- No heated, ventilated memory front seats
- 275 mm wider than the CLE
CLE
- RM380 annual road tax
- Digital Light Matrix LEDs plus heated, ventilated memory front seats
- 253 mm shorter and 275 mm narrower than the Eletre
- RM19,888 more expensive than the Eletre
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.5 seconds
- Four seats and a 460-litre boot versus five seats and 688 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM499,000✓ | RM518,888 |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,440 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 255 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 710 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 112 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 600 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 258 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,103 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 2,135 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,019 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,490 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 688 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 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 | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear | 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 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View | 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 | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 6 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 Eletre & CLE for sale
Eletre vs CLE FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Eletre is better for electric performance, charging capability and family practicality, with 603 hp, 600 km of range, five seats and 688 litres of luggage room. The CLE suits buyers who specifically want a smaller four-seat coupe and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM499,000 and the Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888, so the CLE is RM19,888 more expensive.
Which car is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Lotus Eletre is decisively more practical: it has five seats, a 3,019-mm wheelbase and a 688-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz CLE has four seats, a 2,865-mm wheelbase and 460 litres of boot space.