GAC M8 vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
Verdict
With RM190,088 between them, the GAC M8 and Mercedes-Benz CLE answer very different Malaysian briefs. The GAC is the family/airport-run choice: 5,212 mm long, seven seats, power sliding doors and a plug-in hybrid setup with a 25.57 kWh LFP battery, 106 km EV range and DC charging. The CLE is the driver’s coupe: two doors, four seats, all-wheel drive, a 9G-Tronic auto and a much sharper 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time versus 8.8 seconds. Oddly, the coupe also has the bigger boot, 460 litres against 280 litres.
M8
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, sliding doors and 106 km of plug-in EV running more than coupe pace.
CLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the quicker, all-wheel-drive two-door with a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time and more driver tech.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888
- Body and seating: GAC M8 MPV with 5 doors and 7 seats; Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe with 2 doors and 4 seats
- Petrol engine output and acceleration: GAC M8 187 hp/300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp/400 Nm and 6.2 seconds
- Battery and electric running: GAC M8 25.57 kWh LFP battery with 106 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz CLE 1 kWh lithium-ion battery with no EV range stated
- Size: GAC M8 5,212 mm long with a 3,070 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz CLE 4,850 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: GAC M8 280 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres
M8
- Seven seats, five doors and power sliding doors suit family duty
- Plug-in hybrid hardware includes a 25.57 kWh LFP battery, 106 km EV range and 40 kW DC charging
- Costs RM190,088 less than the Mercedes-Benz CLE
- Slower: 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds versus 6.2 seconds
- Smaller boot with all seats up: 280 litres versus 460 litres
- No navigation, head-up display or auto parking listed; the CLE gets all three
CLE
- Quicker, stronger petrol engine: 255 hp/400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds
- All-wheel drive and a 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic, against front-wheel drive and an eCVT
- Adds Digital Light Matrix LEDs, contactless boot opening and a head-up display
- Much higher price: RM518,888 versus RM328,800
- Only four seats and two doors versus seven seats and five doors
- No stated EV range or external charging; the GAC has 106 km and AC/DC charging
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 328,800✓ | RM 518,888 |
| Body type | MPV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 255 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh✓ | 1 kWh |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 6 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM 380 |
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.
M8 vs CLE FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
For family use, the GAC M8 is better. It has seven seats, power sliding doors and plug-in charging. For pace and coupe hardware, the Mercedes-Benz CLE is better, with all-wheel drive and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM190,088 more, at RM518,888 versus RM328,800 for the GAC M8.
Which one is more practical?
The GAC M8 is more practical for people-carrying with seven seats and five doors. The Mercedes-Benz CLE has only four seats and two doors, but its 460-litre boot is larger than the GAC’s 280 litres.