Verdict
At RM722,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM473,643 more than the RM249,245 Subaru BRZ, and it is a very different proposition. Its 443 hp, 650 Nm turbocharged 3.0-litre mild-hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive cut the 0-100 km/h time to 4.2 seconds, against 6.3 seconds for the BRZ’s 234 hp, 250 Nm 2.4-litre manual rear-driver. The Mercedes also brings 420 litres of boot space, adaptive dampers and a far fuller safety suite. But the 1,289-kg BRZ is 711 kg lighter, costs RM767 a year in road tax versus RM2,128, and keeps the straightforward six-speed manual sports-car brief intact.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want 443 hp, 4.2-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and substantially more cabin, boot and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a 1,289-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual for RM473,643 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp and 650 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds; Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds.
- Driveline and gearbox: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE all-wheel drive with nine-speed dual-clutch automatic; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Kerb weight: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 2,000 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres; Subaru BRZ 226 litres.
AMG CLE
- 443 hp, 650 Nm and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive and AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers.
- 420-litre boot, 360-degree camera and autonomous braking.
- RM473,643 dearer to buy.
- 711 kg heavier.
- RM2,128 annual road tax versus RM767.
BRZ
- RM249,245 entry price.
- 1,289-kg kerb weight with rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty and lower RM767 annual road tax.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the AMG CLE’s 443 hp and 650 Nm.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds slower.
- 226-litre boot is 194 litres smaller, and it lacks autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM722,888 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 443 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 560 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission | — |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.2 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,853 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 2,042 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,434 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,875 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,000 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/35R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 7 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,128 | RM767✓ |
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 AMG CLE & BRZ for sale
AMG CLE vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE or Subaru BRZ better?
The AMG CLE is better for outright pace, all-weather traction, boot space and equipment: it has 443 hp, all-wheel drive and a 420-litre boot. The BRZ is the more affordable manual rear-wheel-drive choice at RM249,245.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, a difference of RM473,643.
Which has lower running costs on road tax?
The Subaru BRZ has the lower annual road tax at RM767. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is RM2,128 per year, so the BRZ saves RM1,361 annually.