Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ is the more usable daily car: 748 km of EV range, five seats, four doors and a 405-litre boot against the Subaru BRZ’s 226 litres. It also carries far more active safety and parking hardware. But the 1,289-kg BRZ is 691 kg lighter, reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds versus 6.7 seconds, and has a six-speed manual. The CLA EQ suits commuting and family duty; the BRZ is the sharper choice for a driver who wants petrol power and manual control.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ if you need 748 km EV range, five-seat practicality and adaptive safety assistance for daily Malaysian use.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want the lower-cost, lighter 234-hp rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ RM274,888; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Powertrain: CLA EQ has one 268-hp, 335-Nm motor and an 85-kWh battery; BRZ has a 234-hp, 250-Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine.
- Performance: CLA EQ does 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and tops out at 210 km/h; BRZ manages 6.3 seconds and 226 km/h.
- Practicality: CLA EQ has five seats and a 405-litre boot; BRZ has four seats and a 226-litre boot.
- Weight: CLA EQ weighs 1,980 kg; BRZ weighs 1,289 kg.
- Road tax: CLA EQ costs RM260 a year; BRZ costs RM767 a year.
CLA EQ
- 748 km EV range from an 85-kWh battery
- Five seats, four doors and a 405-litre boot
- AEB with Evasive Steering Assist, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control
- RM25,643 more expensive
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.7 seconds versus 6.3 seconds
- No compatibility with 400V DC chargers
BRZ
- 691 kg lighter, with a quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- Lower purchase price
- Four seats and a 226-litre boot versus five seats and 405 litres
- RM767 annual road tax versus RM260
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM274,888 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 234 hp |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 85 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 748 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 320 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Two-speed Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Two-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 2 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Evasive Steering Assist | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | Traffic Sign Recognition, Curve Speed Reduction, Emergency Stop Assist, Parking AEB, Evasive Steering Assist. MB.Drive Assist (Level 2, adds lane centring and auto lane change) is a subscription: RM169/month (first month free), RM1,690/12 months or RM4,059/36 months incl. service tax | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED with Starry Motif | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Heat-rejection Coating (no sunshade) | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | 64-colour Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, with Park Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km | — |
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 CLA EQ & BRZ for sale
CLA EQ vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ or Subaru BRZ better?
The CLA EQ is better for electric commuting, passengers and luggage, with 748 km range, five seats and a 405-litre boot. The BRZ is better for manual-driving involvement and outright pace, reaching 100 km/h 0.4 seconds sooner.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ costs RM25,643 more than the Subaru BRZ. Its annual road tax is RM507 lower, however, at RM260 rather than RM767.
Which one is more practical for passengers and parking?
The CLA EQ is decisively more practical: it has four doors, five seats, a 405-litre boot, six front and six rear parking sensors, plus a 360-degree camera. The BRZ has two doors, four seats, a 226-litre boot and four rear sensors.