Verdict
For Malaysian buyers with dependable home or destination charging, the Eletre’s 112 kWh battery, 600 km EV range and 350 kW DC charging make it the more capable electric long-distance SUV. It is quicker too, reaching 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and carrying 688 litres of luggage. The GLE’s 114 km electric range is far shorter, but its petrol plug-in hybrid set-up, 85-litre fuel tank, Airmatic suspension and ventilated massage seats suit those needing fuel-backed flexibility and more cabin comfort.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you can charge regularly and want 600 km of electric range, 350 kW DC charging and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if 114 km of electric running is enough and you value its 85-litre fuel tank, air suspension, panoramic roof and ventilated massage seats.
Key differences
- Electric range and battery: Eletre 600 km and 112 kWh; GLE 114 km and 31 kWh.
- Charging: Eletre 22 kW AC and 350 kW DC; GLE 11 kW AC with no DC charging rate listed.
- Performance: Eletre 603 hp, 710 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds; GLE 248 hp, 400 Nm and 6.1 seconds.
- Size and luggage: Eletre is 5,103 mm long with a 688-litre boot; GLE is 4,924 mm long with a 490-litre boot.
- Road tax: Eletre RM1,440 per year; GLE RM440 per year.
- Front-seat equipment: Eletre gets powered adjustment; GLE adds massage and ventilation.
Eletre
- 600 km EV range from a 112 kWh battery.
- 350 kW DC charging and 22 kW AC charging.
- Quicker 4.5-second sprint and larger 688-litre boot.
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus the GLE’s RM440.
- No panoramic sliding roof or ventilated massage front seats.
- 2,135 mm width is 188 mm greater than the GLE’s.
GLE
- Petrol plug-in hybrid with an 85-litre fuel tank.
- Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping.
- Ventilated massage front seats, panoramic sliding roof and rear window shades.
- 114 km EV range is 486 km short of the Eletre’s.
- No listed DC charging capability and 11 kW AC charging versus 350 kW DC and 22 kW AC.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time and a 490-litre boot.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM499,000 | RM498,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,440 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | 710 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 112 kWh✓ | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km✓ | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 258 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,103 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 2,135 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,019 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,490 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 688 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| 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, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on two rear passenger 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 | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Four 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View | Yes, with Surround View 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 Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 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 & GLE for sale
Eletre vs GLE FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Eletre is better if regular charging is practical, thanks to its 600 km EV range, 350 kW DC charging and 4.5-second sprint. Choose the GLE for its fuel-backed plug-in hybrid drivability, air suspension and more luxurious front-seat features.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM499,000 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, so the Eletre is RM112 more expensive.
Which SUV is better for long trips with charging stops?
The Eletre is the stronger choice: its 112 kWh battery is rated for 600 km and accepts up to 350 kW DC charging. The GLE manages 114 km electrically, but its 85-litre tank provides petrol-powered backup.