Verdict
These are radically different ways to spend near-RM1 million. The RM1,131,800 Lotus Emira costs RM131,912 more than the RM999,888 Mercedes-Benz GLS, yet its 400 hp, 1,405 kg kerb weight and 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time suit the driver who wants a six-speed manual sports car. The GLS counters with seven seats, 355 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and a 9G-Tronic automatic. For Malaysian family use, the GLS is the rational choice and its RM1,638 annual road tax is RM2,544 lower; the Emira is the focused weekend car.
Pick the Lotus Emira if a 400 hp, rear-wheel-drive manual coupe that reaches 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds matters more than seats, luggage room and family equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, 355 litres of boot space and a far lower RM1,638 annual road-tax bill.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emira RM1,131,800; Mercedes-Benz GLS RM999,888.
- Performance: Lotus Emira 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLS in 6.1 seconds.
- Output: Lotus Emira 400 hp and 420 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLS 362 hp and 500 Nm.
- Practicality: Lotus Emira has 2 seats and a 151-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz GLS has 7 seats and a 355-litre boot.
- Weight: Lotus Emira 1,405 kg; Mercedes-Benz GLS 2,385 kg.
- Road tax: Lotus Emira RM4,182 per year; Mercedes-Benz GLS RM1,638 per year.
Emira
- 400 hp and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- Five-year, 150,000 km warranty.
- Costs RM131,912 more.
- Only two seats and 151 litres of boot space versus seven seats and 355 litres.
- RM4,182 annual road tax versus RM1,638.
GLS
- Seven seats with sliding and split-folding rear rows.
- 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and 9G-Tronic automatic.
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and rear-seat entertainment monitors.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.3 seconds.
- 362 hp versus 400 hp.
- Four-year warranty versus five years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,131,800 | RM999,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,182 | RM1,638✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 3,456 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 400 hp✓ | 362 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Six-speed Manual | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 6 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.3 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,412 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,225 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 151 litres | 355 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 285/45R22 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED | Multibeam LED Projector |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Automatic Front Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | No | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
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 Emira & GLS for sale
Emira vs GLS FAQ
Is the Lotus Emira or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The GLS is better for family transport, with seven seats, 355 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and extensive rear-seat equipment. The Emira is better for driving focus, combining 400 hp, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emira costs RM1,131,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM999,888, so the Emira is RM131,912 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to tax and faster?
The GLS has lower annual road tax at RM1,638 against the Emira's RM4,182. The Emira is faster from 0-100 km/h, taking 4.3 seconds versus 6.1 seconds for the GLS.