Verdict
At RM499,000, the Eletre is RM19,888 cheaper yet brings two motors producing 603 hp and 710 Nm, a 112-kWh battery and 600 km of EV range. Its 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time, five seats and 688-litre boot suit the buyer who needs an executive SUV to do family duty. The CLE costs more, carries only four people and has a 460-litre boot, but its RM380 annual road tax is RM1,060 lower and its heated, ventilated memory front seats add everyday cabin appeal. Choose the Eletre for electric performance and space; choose the CLE for a smaller coupe format and lower annual tax.
The Eletre Eletre 900 Sport Carbon (RM839,000) sits above every CLE variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp, 600 km of EV range, five seats and a 688-litre boot for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want a four-seat coupe with RM380 annual road tax, a panoramic glass roof and heated, ventilated memory front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Eletre RM499,000; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Annual road tax: Lotus Eletre RM1,440; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM380.
- Motor output: Lotus Eletre has two motors with 603 hp and 710 Nm; Mercedes-Benz CLE has one motor with 23 hp and 205 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds.
- Size and boot: Lotus Eletre is 5,103 mm long with a 688-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz CLE is 4,850 mm long with a 460-litre boot.
- Seating and doors: Lotus Eletre has five seats and five doors; Mercedes-Benz CLE has four seats and two doors.
Eletre
- 603 hp, 710 Nm twin-motor AWD powertrain
- 600 km EV range from a 112-kWh battery
- Five seats and a 688-litre boot
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus the CLE's RM380
- No panoramic glass roof, front-seat memory, heating or ventilation
- Larger 5,103 mm length and 2,135 mm width
CLE
- RM380 annual road tax
- Heated, ventilated memory front seats and panoramic glass roof
- Digital Light Matrix LEDs and auto parking
- Costs RM19,888 more
- Slower 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
What the Eletre has over the CLE
What the CLE has over the Eletre
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Eletre's wheelbase is 154 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The Eletre is 275 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Eletre: 688 litres against 460.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| 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✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM5,095/mo✓ | RM5,295/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM13,222✓ | RM13,804 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,659 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM8.29 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM81,603 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 5.1 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 20 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 255 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 22 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 22 inch |
| 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 | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags) | 7 (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 | — | 2 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Eletre & CLE for sale
Our reviews & guides
Lotus Eletre
Mercedes-Benz CLE
Eletre vs CLE FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Eletre is the stronger all-round choice for electric driving, pace and practicality: 603 hp, 600 km of range, five seats and a 688-litre boot. The CLE suits buyers who specifically want a coupe, lower road tax and more front-seat comfort features.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM19,888 more than the Lotus Eletre: RM518,888 against RM499,000.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Lotus Eletre is more practical. It has five doors, five seats and a 688-litre boot, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE has two doors, four seats and a 460-litre boot.
How long does charging take?
The Eletre's 112.0 kWh battery takes about 5.1 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 350 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The Eletre carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 4 years for the CLE. Eletre: 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty.