Verdict
The Lotus Eletre is the quicker, more future-facing choice: its two motors produce 603 hp and 710 Nm, reach 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and pair a 112 kWh battery with 600 km of EV range. Its RM114,028 premium demands a charging routine, but 22 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging are substantial advantages. The Volkswagen Touareg is the more rational Malaysian executive SUV if you need its 810-litre boot, air suspension and a 90-litre petrol tank without relying on charging infrastructure. It is also CKD, against the Eletre’s CBU status.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if 600 km EV range, 603 hp and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the RM114,028 price gap and boot space.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you want the lower purchase price, an 810-litre boot, air suspension and petrol refuelling convenience.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Eletre RM499,000; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Performance: Eletre 603 hp, 710 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds; Touareg 335 hp, 450 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Energy storage: Eletre has a 112 kWh battery and 600 km EV range; Touareg has a 90-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: Eletre 688 litres; Touareg 810 litres.
- Dimensions: Eletre is 5,103 mm long and 2,135 mm wide; Touareg is 4,878 mm long and 1,984 mm wide.
- Road tax: Eletre RM1,440 per year; Touareg RM1,632 per year.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two electric motors.
- 600 km EV range with 22 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging.
- Head-up display and 8-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
- Costs RM114,028 more.
- 688-litre boot is 122 litres smaller.
- No air suspension listed, unlike the Touareg.
Touareg
- RM114,028 lower purchase price.
- 810-litre boot and 90-litre petrol tank.
- Multi-link air suspension, night vision and manual rear window blinds.
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.0 seconds versus the Eletre’s 4.5 seconds.
- 335 hp and 450 Nm trail the Eletre’s 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- No head-up display listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM499,000 | RM384,972✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,440✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 335 hp |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 710 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 | — | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 258 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,103 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 2,135 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,019 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,490 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 688 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| 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 | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB 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 | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Contactless 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 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | 5 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 & Touareg for sale
Eletre vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Eletre is better for outright performance and EV driving, with 603 hp, 600 km range and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Touareg is better for lower upfront cost, its 810-litre boot, air suspension and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM114,028 more than the Volkswagen Touareg: RM499,000 versus RM384,972.
Which has the larger boot?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the larger boot at 810 litres, which is 122 litres more than the Lotus Eletre’s 688 litres.