Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is the sharper buy for most Malaysian executive-sedan buyers: it costs RM379,888, a substantial RM191,000 below the RM570,888 CLS, yet brings a 90.6-kWh battery rated for 669 km, 170-kW DC charging and a longer four-year vehicle warranty. Its 288-hp, 565-Nm rear motor is not quite as quick to 100 km/h as the CLS at 6.4 versus 6.0 seconds, but it gets rear-wheel steering, stronger driver assistance and a 3,120-mm wheelbase. Choose the CLS for petrol refuelling convenience, a 490-litre boot and 250-km/h pace.
CLS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLS if you want the quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h run, a 490-litre boot and petrol-hybrid long-distance flexibility.
EQE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE if you can charge regularly and want 669 km of rated EV range, more advanced assistance systems and RM191,000 left in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: CLS RM570,888; EQE RM379,888.
- Performance: CLS 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h top speed; EQE 6.4 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Powertrain: CLS has a 1,991-cc petrol hybrid with 299 hp and 400 Nm; EQE has one 288-hp, 565-Nm electric motor.
- Range and charging: CLS has a 66-litre fuel tank; EQE has a 90.6-kWh battery, 669-km EV range, 22-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging.
- Dimensions and luggage: CLS has a 2,939-mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot; EQE has a 3,120-mm wheelbase and 430-litre boot.
- Warranty: CLS has a two-year manufacturer warranty plus two-year extension; EQE has a four-year manufacturer warranty and 10-year/250,000-km battery warranty.
CLS
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and 250-km/h top speed.
- Larger 490-litre boot.
- 66-litre petrol tank and 7.1 L/100 km rated economy.
- RM191,000 more expensive.
- Only warning-type lane keeping, versus steering correction in the EQE.
- No blind-spot information system, head-up display or heated front seats.
EQE
- 669-km rated range with 22-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging.
- 565 Nm from its rear electric motor, plus rear-wheel steering.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, blind-spot information and Digital Light matrix headlamps.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 6.4 seconds and limited to 210 km/h, against the CLS's 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Smaller 430-litre boot versus 490 litres.
- Heavier at 2,355 kg versus 1,775 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM570,888 | RM379,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing, 48V Electric Motor Assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 299 hp | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 14 hp | 288 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 150 Nm | 565 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 90.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 669 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | — |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Co2 | 184 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,988 mm | 4,946 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,961 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,939 mm | 3,120 mm |
| Weight | 1,775 kg | 2,355 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control with Selective Damping System | Comfort Suspension, Rear Wheel Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Twin Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors, Powered Rear Sunshade | — |
| Audio | 12.3" COMAND Online with Touchpad, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB and 13-speaker, 590 watt Burmester Audio System | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive 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 | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/250,000-km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 CLS & EQE for sale
CLS vs EQE FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS or Mercedes-Benz EQE better?
The EQE is better for buyers with dependable charging: it is RM191,000 cheaper, has 669 km of rated range and more comprehensive assistance systems. The CLS is the better fit if a 490-litre boot, 250-km/h top speed and petrol refuelling suit your use.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is RM191,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
How quickly can the Mercedes-Benz EQE charge?
The EQE supports AC charging at up to 22 kW and DC charging at up to 170 kW. Its 90.6-kWh battery is rated for 669 km of EV range.