Mercedes-Benz AMG SL vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
Verdict
At RM999,888 against RM518,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is almost double the money, and the spend goes into pace and theatre: 375 hp, 480 Nm, rear-drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz CLE is the cooler-headed Malaysian daily, with 255 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a longer 2,865 mm wheelbase and a much larger 460-litre boot. Both are four-seat CBU petrol-hybrids with a 1.0 kWh battery, so the choice is less about tech and more about priorities.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the quicker, open-top grand tourer and can accept the smaller 240-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the more practical four-seat coupe with all-wheel drive, 460 litres of boot space and the lower price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888
- Output: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp/480 Nm; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp/400 Nm
- Acceleration/top speed: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 s/275 km/h; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 s/250 km/h
- Drive/transmission: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive wet dual-clutch auto; Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive conventional auto
- Size and boot: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4,705 mm long/240 L; Mercedes-Benz CLE 4,850 mm long/460 L
- Airbags: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 5; Mercedes-Benz CLE 7
AMG SL
- Much stronger 375 hp and 480 Nm output
- Quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Convertible body gives it the open-air brief
- RM481,000 more expensive
- Boot space is only 240 litres
- Has 5 airbags versus 7 in the CLE
CLE
- Far larger 460-litre boot
- All-wheel drive traction
- Longer 2,865 mm wheelbase
- Slower 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 255 hp and 400 Nm output
- Coupe body lacks the AMG SL’s open-top appeal
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 999,888 | RM 518,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Coupe |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 375 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 4.9 s✓ | 6.2 s |
| Top speed | 275 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 1.0 kWh | 1.0 kWh |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Boot space | 240 L | 460 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 70 L | 66 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 5 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 4 | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | 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.
AMG SL vs CLE FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The AMG SL is better for outright performance and open-top driving. The CLE is better for daily use, with all-wheel drive, 7 airbags and a 460-litre boot. For most Malaysian buyers, the CLE is the easier car to justify.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM481,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE. That gap buys 120 hp more, 80 Nm more, a 1.3-second quicker 0-100 km/h time and the convertible body.
Which one is more practical?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is clearly more practical. It has a 460-litre boot versus 240 litres in the AMG SL, a longer 2,865 mm wheelbase and the same four-seat count.