Lotus Eletre vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
Verdict
At a RM112 gap, this is a drivetrain choice as much as a luxury SUV choice. The Lotus Eletre is the quicker, bigger-boot full EV, with 603 hp, 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h, 600 km range and 688 litres of luggage space. The Mercedes-Benz GLE answers with plug-in hybrid flexibility: 114 km electric range plus an 85-litre petrol tank, while being taller and cheaper to tax at RM440 a year versus RM1,440. Both have AWD and five seats.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want the quicker full EV, longer electric range and bigger boot, and can live with RM1,440 annual road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want plug-in hybrid backup, a taller SUV body and lower RM440 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Eletre RM499,000; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888
- Power: Lotus Eletre 603 hp; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Eletre 4.5 s; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 s
- Battery and EV range: Lotus Eletre 112.0 kWh, 600 km; Mercedes-Benz GLE 31.0 kWh, 114 km
- Boot space: Lotus Eletre 688 L; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 L
- Road tax: Lotus Eletre RM1,440/year; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 499,000 | RM 498,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Engine | Dual motor | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 603 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 4.5 s✓ | 6.1 s |
| Top speed | 258 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 112.0 kWh✓ | 31.0 kWh |
| EV range | 600 km✓ | 114 km |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 688 L✓ | 490 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 85 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10✓ | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 1,440 | RM 440✓ |
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.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 4.5 s 0-100 km/h
- 600 km EV range from a 112.0 kWh battery
- 688-litre boot and 10 airbags
- RM1,440 yearly road tax
- No petrol backup; it is electric only
- 2,135 mm width needs care in tight parking
GLE
- Plug-in hybrid with 114 km EV range and an 85-litre tank
- Lower RM440 yearly road tax
- 400 Nm from its 1,999 cc petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain
- Slower, at 6.1 s to 100 km/h
- Smaller 490-litre boot
- Shorter 4-year warranty
Eletre vs GLE FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
For performance, EV range and boot space, the Lotus Eletre is better. For long-distance flexibility and lower road tax, the Mercedes-Benz GLE makes more sense.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM112 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, so the purchase price is effectively tied. Road tax is not: RM1,440 a year for the Lotus versus RM440 for the Mercedes-Benz.
Which one has more electric range?
The Lotus Eletre has the longer EV range at 600 km from its 112.0 kWh battery. The Mercedes-Benz GLE manages 114 km on electric power, but also has an 85-litre petrol tank.