Verdict
These coupes split along purpose rather than outright pace. The Mercedes-Benz CLE is only 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h at 6.2 seconds, but its 400 Nm from 2,000 rpm, nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and 460-litre boot make a stronger case for daily Malaysian use. The Subaru BRZ counters with a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and 1,289 kg kerb weight. The RM269,643 gap is huge, while the BRZ’s annual road tax is RM387 higher at RM767.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the 460-litre boot, all-wheel drive, 400 Nm turbo-hybrid powertrain and a much fuller driver-assistance suite.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and a far lower entry price matter more than cabin space and assistance systems.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Powertrain: CLE 1,999 cc turbo petrol hybrid with a 23 hp motor; BRZ 2,387 cc naturally aspirated petrol boxer-four.
- Torque: CLE 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm; BRZ 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm.
- Transmission and driveline: CLE nine-speed automatic with all-wheel drive; BRZ six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: CLE 460 litres; BRZ 226 litres.
- Road tax: CLE RM380 per year; BRZ RM767 per year.
CLE
- 400 Nm available from 2,000 rpm
- 460-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping assist and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM269,643 more than the BRZ
- Nine-speed automatic only, against the BRZ’s six-speed manual
- Four-year warranty, versus the BRZ’s five-year cover
BRZ
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- 1,289 kg kerb weight
- Five-year, 100,000 km manufacturer warranty
- 226-litre boot is 234 litres smaller than the CLE’s
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- RM767 annual road tax is RM387 higher than the CLE’s
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM518,888 | RM249,245✓ |
| 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, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92.4 mm | 94 mm × 86 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 | — |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Aisin |
| 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 | — | 1,289 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 | Tyre Repair Kit |
| 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 |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain) |
| 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 Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | LED Projector |
| 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 | 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, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front |
| 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" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 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 & BRZ for sale
CLE vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Subaru BRZ better?
The CLE is better for daily use, with all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic, 460 litres of boot space and autonomous braking. The BRZ is the better fit if you specifically want a rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, so the CLE is RM269,643 more expensive.
Which coupe is more practical?
The CLE is more practical: it is 585 mm longer, has a 290 mm longer wheelbase, rear air-con vents and a 460-litre boot. The BRZ has a 226-litre boot, though both seat four and have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
