Verdict
At RM518,888, the Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM222,888 more than the RM296,000 Toyota GR86, and it earns much of that gap with 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and a far fuller driver-assistance suite. It is also marginally quicker to 100 km/h at 6.2 seconds. The GR86 is the more focused choice: rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and rear limited-slip differential in a 1,291-kg coupe. For Malaysian buyers needing rear-seat usability and daily equipment, the CLE is easier to live with; for a manual sports car experience, take the Toyota.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and autonomous braking in a four-seat coupe.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if a rear-wheel-drive, 1,291-kg coupe with a six-speed manual and limited-slip differential matters more than luxury equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Torque: Mercedes-Benz CLE 400 Nm; Toyota GR86 250 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive with nine-speed automatic; Toyota GR86 rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres; Toyota GR86 226 litres.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds; Toyota GR86 6.3 seconds.
- Dimensions: Mercedes-Benz CLE 4,850 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase; Toyota GR86 4,265 mm long with a 2,575 mm wheelbase.
CLE
- 400 Nm turbo-hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive.
- 460-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.
- RM222,888 dearer than the GR86.
- No manual gearbox or rear limited-slip differential.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the GR86's full-size spare tyre.
GR86
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential.
- 1,291-kg kerb weight.
- Five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty and a full-size spare tyre.
- 250 Nm is 150 Nm down on the CLE.
- 226-litre boot is 234 litres smaller than the CLE's.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, parking sensors or adaptive cruise control.
| 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 | 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 & GR86 for sale
CLE vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Toyota GR86 better?
The CLE is better as a daily four-seat coupe, with all-wheel drive, 460 litres of boot space and substantially more safety and convenience equipment. The GR86 is better if your priority is a lighter rear-wheel-drive coupe with a manual gearbox and limited-slip differential.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM222,888 more than the Toyota GR86. That buys 166 mm more wheelbase, 234 litres more boot space, all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic and equipment including autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera.
Which is faster, the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Toyota GR86?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is marginally faster to 100 km/h, taking 6.2 seconds against the Toyota GR86's 6.3 seconds. Its top speed is also higher at 250 km/h versus 226 km/h, helped by 400 Nm rather than 250 Nm.