Verdict
At RM518,888, the Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM269,643 more than the RM249,245 Subaru BRZ. The money brings 400 Nm against 250 Nm, all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic and a far more useful 460-litre boot versus 226 litres. Yet the 0-100 km/h gap is just 0.1 seconds: 6.2 seconds for the CLE and 6.3 seconds for the BRZ. For a Malaysian buyer, the CLE is the better-equipped four-seat coupe with lower RM380 annual road tax; the BRZ is the purer manual, rear-wheel-drive route, but its road tax is RM767 a year.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you need a larger 460-litre boot, all-wheel drive, automatic transmission and autonomous braking with lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and a RM269,643 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Output: CLE 255 hp and 400 Nm; BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: CLE all-wheel drive with nine-speed automatic; BRZ rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Performance: CLE reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h; BRZ does 6.3 seconds and 226 km/h.
- Boot space: CLE 460 litres; BRZ 226 litres.
- Annual road tax: CLE RM380; BRZ RM767.
CLE
- 400 Nm torque and all-wheel drive.
- 460-litre boot for a four-seat coupe.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and 360-degree camera.
- RM269,643 more expensive.
- Nine-speed automatic only, versus the BRZ's six-speed manual.
- 4,850 mm long and 1,860 mm wide, against the BRZ's 4,265 mm and 1,775 mm.
BRZ
- RM269,643 lower purchase price.
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty, versus four years with unlimited mileage.
- 250 Nm trails the CLE's 400 Nm.
- 226-litre boot is 234 litres smaller than the CLE's.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM518,888 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | — |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,850 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,428 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Rear 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-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 | Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | 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 Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 6 years | — |
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 CLE & BRZ for sale
CLE vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Subaru BRZ better?
The CLE is better for equipment, luggage space and all-weather traction, with 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 460-litre boot. The BRZ is better if a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and much lower entry cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, so the difference is RM269,643.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The CLE has lower annual road tax at RM380. The BRZ is RM767 per year, despite its lower RM249,245 purchase price.