Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the E-Class is the rational cross-shop: its 4,949 mm body, 2,961 mm wheelbase, five seats and 540-litre boot make it far better suited to carrying people and luggage. The CLE answers with 255 hp and 400 Nm against 201 hp and 320 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 7.5 to 6.2 seconds while adding all-wheel drive. It also gets Digital Light headlamps, a panoramic roof and a 17-speaker Burmester system. But the E-Class is locally assembled and gives up little mechanical hardware beyond pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if two-door styling, 255 hp, 400 Nm and all-wheel drive matter more than rear-seat access and boot capacity.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you need five seats, four doors, a 540-litre boot and a longer 2,961 mm wheelbase for daily Malaysian use.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Output: Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp and 400 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- Performance: Mercedes-Benz CLE 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 seconds and 240 km/h.
- Drivetrain: Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz E-Class rear-wheel drive.
- Practicality: Mercedes-Benz CLE has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 460-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 4 doors, 5 seats and a 540-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Mercedes-Benz CLE is 4,850 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 4,949 mm long with a 2,961 mm wheelbase.
CLE
- 54 hp and 80 Nm more than the E-Class
- All-wheel drive and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Digital Light headlamps, panoramic roof and 17-speaker Burmester audio
- RM151,000 more expensive than the E-Class
- Two doors and four seats, against four doors and five seats
- 460-litre boot is 80 litres smaller
E-Class
- Four doors, five seats and a 540-litre boot
- RM151,000 lower price and Malaysian CKD assembly
- Longer 2,961 mm wheelbase plus rear window shades
- 54 hp and 80 Nm down on the CLE
- 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✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | 1 kWh |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | 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 | 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 & 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 four doors, five seats, a 540-litre boot and a 2,961 mm wheelbase. Choose the CLE for its 255 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and quicker 6.2-second sprint.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888, so the CLE costs RM151,000 more.
Which has more luggage space?
The E-Class has the larger boot at 540 litres, 80 litres more than the CLE's 460 litres. It also has five seats and four doors, while the CLE has four seats and two doors.
