Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the rational Malaysian buy at RM367,888 against RM518,888 for the Mercedes-Benz CLE, saving RM151,000 while adding two doors, a fifth seat and an 80-litre larger 540-litre boot. Its 2,961-mm wheelbase is also 96 mm longer. The CLE earns its premium with 255 hp and 400 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time to 6.2 seconds, plus all-wheel drive, but its two-door, four-seat layout asks for a lifestyle-led decision rather than a practical one.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if faster 6.2-second performance, all-wheel drive, a coupe body and its 17-speaker Burmester audio matter more than rear-seat access and luggage room.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you need five seats, four doors, a 540-litre boot and RM151,000 left in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Performance: CLE 255 hp and 400 Nm with 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds; E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm with 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.
- Driveline: CLE all-wheel drive; E-Class rear-wheel drive.
- Practicality: CLE has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 460-litre boot; E-Class has 4 doors, 5 seats and a 540-litre boot.
- Dimensions: CLE wheelbase 2,865 mm and length 4,850 mm; E-Class wheelbase 2,961 mm and length 4,949 mm.
- Safety: CLE has 7 airbags; E-Class has 9 airbags.
CLE
- 255 hp and 400 Nm, with a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive and a 250 km/h top speed
- Digital Light matrix LEDs, head-up display and 17-speaker Burmester sound
- Costs RM151,000 more
- Two doors and four seats versus the E-Class's four doors and five seats
- 460-litre boot is 80 litres smaller
E-Class
- Four doors, five seats and a 540-litre boot
- 96 mm longer wheelbase
- Nine airbags and rear window shades
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the CLE's 255 hp and 400 Nm
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.3 seconds slower
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM518,888 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380 | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92.4 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,850 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,428 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R19 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 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 & E-Class for sale
CLE vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The E-Class is better for most buyers because it has five seats, four doors and a 540-litre boot. Choose the CLE for its 255 hp output, all-wheel drive and 6.2-second sprint instead.
What is the price difference?
The CLE costs RM151,000 more than the E-Class. That is a large premium for the coupe body, stronger 255 hp/400 Nm powertrain, all-wheel drive and extra equipment such as Digital Light headlamps and a head-up display.
Which is quicker, the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The CLE is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds versus 7.5 seconds for the E-Class. It also produces 255 hp and 400 Nm, compared with 201 hp and 320 Nm.
