Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM222,888 more, but brings a 255 hp/400 Nm 2.0-litre hybrid-assisted turbo, all-wheel drive, 460-litre boot and a much longer 2,865 mm wheelbase. Its 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time is only 0.1 second ahead of the Toyota GR86, so straight-line pace is effectively close. The GR86 makes the cleaner case for a driver who wants its six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential, while saving RM387 a year in road tax despite its larger 2.4-litre engine.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you need the 460-litre boot, all-wheel drive and extensive driver assistance, and can justify RM518,888.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and limited-slip differential matter more than luxury equipment and rear luggage space.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Power and torque: CLE 255 hp and 400 Nm; GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: CLE all-wheel drive with nine-speed automatic; GR86 rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Boot space: CLE 460 litres; GR86 226 litres.
- Dimensions: CLE 4,850 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase; GR86 4,265 mm long with a 2,575 mm wheelbase.
- Road tax: CLE RM380 per year; GR86 RM767 per year.
CLE
- 255 hp, 400 Nm hybrid-assisted turbo powertrain with all-wheel drive
- 460-litre boot and 2,865 mm wheelbase
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- RM222,888 dearer to buy
- No full-size spare tyre; the GR86 carries one
- Nine-speed automatic only, where the GR86 has a six-speed manual
GR86
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential
- RM222,888 lower purchase price
- Full-size spare tyre and five-year/150,000 km warranty
- 226-litre boot is 234 litres smaller than the CLE's
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- Manual front seats, no rear air vents and no parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM518,888 | RM296,000✓ |
| 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, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with 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 | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Toyota |
| 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 | — | 1,291 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 | Full Size |
| 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 with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | LED Headlamps |
| 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 | Foldable |
| 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, 2 Front USB |
| 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" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 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 | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 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 & GR86 for sale
CLE vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Toyota GR86 better?
The CLE is better for four-seat usability, a 460-litre boot, all-wheel drive and driver assistance. The GR86 is the stronger choice if the priority is a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and its rear limited-slip differential.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888 and the Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, putting the gap at RM222,888 in favour of the Toyota. The CLE's annual road tax is lower, at RM380 versus RM767.
Which one is quicker?
The CLE reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, just 0.1 second ahead of the GR86 at 6.3 seconds. The Mercedes also has the higher top speed: 250 km/h against 226 km/h.