Verdict
The C-Class is the larger, cheaper sedan here: RM292,888 against RM527,888, with a 2,865 mm wheelbase, 455-litre boot, mild-hybrid 1.5 litre engine and RM90 road tax. The AMG CLA is the fast, imported hit: 421 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, versus 201 hp, 300 Nm and 7.3 seconds. Oddly, luggage space is nearly level at 460 versus 455 litres. For Malaysia, this is space-and-cost versus AMG pace.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want the bigger sedan, much lower running tax and enough performance without paying AMG CLA money.
AMG CLA
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if you want the far quicker car, all-wheel drive and the AMG chassis hardware more than rear-seat stretch.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM527,888
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 201 hp/300 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 421 hp/500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 4.1 seconds
- Wheelbase: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2,865 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 2,729 mm
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 460 litres
- Road tax: Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM90 a year; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM376 a year
C-Class
- RM235,000 cheaper to buy
- Longer 2,865 mm wheelbase versus 2,729 mm
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM376
- Much slower: 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h versus 4.1 seconds
- No head-up display; the AMG CLA has one
- Eight-speaker audio trails the AMG CLA’s 10-speaker 225W Burmester system
AMG CLA
- 421 hp and 500 Nm, with all-wheel drive
- AMG Ride Control, adaptive dampers and AMG Dynamic Select
- Head-up display, adaptive cruise control and Burmester audio included
- Costs RM235,000 more
- Shorter 2,729 mm wheelbase versus 2,865 mm
- Higher RM376 annual road tax versus RM90
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 292,888✓ | RM 527,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 78 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 9 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 4.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 246 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 4,701 mm |
| Width | 2,033 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,438 mm | 1,413 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,650 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 455 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control Suspension with Selective Damping System | AMG Ride Control, Adaptive dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Outer 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 with Adaptive High Beam | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-Speaker 225W 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| 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 | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 376 |
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.
C-Class vs AMG CLA FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA better?
For most Malaysian buyers, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the better everyday buy: it is much cheaper, larger between the axles and costs less in road tax. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is better if straight-line pace and AMG hardware matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA costs RM235,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which is faster?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is much faster, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class takes 7.3 seconds.