Mercedes-Benz CLE vs Toyota Vellfire
Verdict
These two solve very different RM400k-plus problems. The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888 and gives you the driver’s numbers: 255 hp, 400 Nm, a 23 hp hybrid motor, AWD, 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and 250 km/h. The Toyota Vellfire is RM70,888 cheaper at RM448,000, but its case is space: 7 seats, 5 doors, a 3,000 mm wheelbase, 510 litres of boot space and proper second-row captain chairs. For a Malaysian buyer, this is coupe pace against chauffeured MPV usefulness.
CLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the quicker, lower, more driver-focused car with AWD, 9G-Tronic and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
Vellfire
Pick the Toyota Vellfire if you need seven seats, power sliding doors, ottoman captain chairs and more luggage space for family or business use.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Toyota Vellfire RM448,000
- Powertrain output: Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp/400 Nm plus 23 hp motor; Toyota Vellfire 180 hp/235 Nm
- Driveline/transmission: Mercedes-Benz CLE AWD with 9-speed automatic; Toyota Vellfire FWD with 7-speed CVT
- Size: Mercedes-Benz CLE 4,850 mm long/1,428 mm tall; Toyota Vellfire 5,005 mm long/1,950 mm tall
- Seating and doors: Mercedes-Benz CLE 4 seats/2 doors; Toyota Vellfire 7 seats/5 doors
- Boot and road tax: Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres/RM380; Toyota Vellfire 510 litres/RM835
CLE
- Much stronger output: 255 hp and 400 Nm, plus a 23 hp hybrid motor
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed and AWD
- Lower annual road tax at RM380 versus RM835
- RM70,888 more expensive
- Only 4 seats and 2 doors versus the Vellfire’s 7 seats and 5 doors
- Less boot space: 460 litres versus 510 litres
Vellfire
- Seven-seat MPV layout with power ottoman captain middle-row seats
- Longer 3,000 mm wheelbase and taller 1,950 mm body for cabin space
- RM70,888 cheaper, with a 5-year manufacturer warranty
- Far less power and torque: 180 hp/235 Nm versus 255 hp/400 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only; the CLE has all-wheel drive
- Lower top speed at 170 km/h versus 250 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 518,888 | RM 448,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | MPV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp✓ | 180 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 235 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 7-speed Super CVT-i with Sports Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 9 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,850 mm | 5,005 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,428 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,105 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| 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, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Rear Seats | Available on Outer Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Ottoman Captain Middle Row Seat, 50:50 Fold-up Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening | Powered boot with soft close function |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 6 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 380✓ | RM 835 |
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.
CLE vs Vellfire FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Toyota Vellfire better?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is better for performance, with 255 hp, 400 Nm, AWD and 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The Toyota Vellfire is better for passengers, with 7 seats, power sliding doors and ottoman captain chairs.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888, while the Toyota Vellfire costs RM448,000. That makes the CLE RM70,888 more expensive.
Which one is more practical for family use?
The Toyota Vellfire is the practical pick. It has 7 seats, 5 doors, 510 litres of boot space, powered sliding doors and rear dual-zone automatic climate control. The Mercedes-Benz CLE has 4 seats, 2 doors and 460 litres of boot space.