Verdict
At RM509,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class costs RM9,000 less than the RM518,888 Mercedes-Benz CLE yet delivers a decisive 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time, 421 hp and 500 Nm against 6.2 seconds, 255 hp and 400 Nm. Its five-door, five-seat hatch layout is also easier to justify for daily use, despite a 370-litre boot. The CLE answers with 460 litres, a 23-hp electric motor with 1-kWh battery and a longer 2,865-mm wheelbase, plus ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise and 17-speaker Burmester audio. Choose pace and access in the A-Class; choose coupe form and kit in the CLE.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class if 421 hp, a 3.9-second century sprint and five-door, five-seat practicality matter more than luxury equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the larger 460-litre boot, a two-door coupe body and equipment including ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control and Burmester audio.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class RM509,888; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class 421 hp and 500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class 3.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds.
- Doors and seats: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class five doors and five seats; Mercedes-Benz CLE two doors and four seats.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class 370 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class two years; Mercedes-Benz CLE four years.
AMG A-Class
- 421 hp and 500 Nm with all-wheel drive.
- 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 270 km/h top speed.
- Five doors, five seats and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- 370-litre boot trails the CLE's 460 litres.
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
CLE
- 460-litre boot and 2,865-mm wheelbase.
- Ventilated, memory-equipped front seats and panoramic glass roof.
- 11.9-inch MBUX display, 17-speaker Burmester audio and 360-degree camera.
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.3 seconds behind the AMG A-Class.
- Two doors and four seats limit passenger access and capacity against the five-door, five-seat AMG A-Class.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM509,888✓ | RM518,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376✓ | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 421 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 189 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,445 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,412 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,550 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive dampers, Dynamic Select, AMG Performance Exhaust | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projector | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 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, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | 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 AMG A-Class & CLE for sale
AMG A-Class vs CLE FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The AMG A-Class is better for outright performance and carrying people, with 421 hp, 3.9-second acceleration, five doors and five seats. The CLE is better for a larger boot and richer comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM9,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class.
Which is quicker, the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class or Mercedes-Benz CLE?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds versus 6.2 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz CLE. It also has 421 hp and 500 Nm, against 255 hp and 400 Nm.
