Compare the2024 Mercedes CLEVS 2024 Subaru BRZ

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability

Safety

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The CLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The BRZ doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CLE are reminded to check the back seat. The BRZ doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The CLE has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The BRZ doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The CLE has a standard Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The BRZ doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The CLE offers four-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The BRZ doesn’t offer four-wheel drive.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The CLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The BRZ doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The CLE offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The BRZ only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The CLE has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the BRZ Limited offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CLE has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the BRZ Limited offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the BRZ’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the CLE and the BRZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes CLE weighs 1176 to 1666 pounds more than the Subaru BRZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

The CLE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The BRZ’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Engine

The CLE 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 147 more horsepower (375 vs. 228) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the CLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Subaru BRZ (automatics tested):

	CLE	BRZ
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	105 MPH	97 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CLE Coupe gets better mileage than the BRZ:

			MPG
CLE Coupe
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/34 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/32 hwy
BRZ
RWD	Manual	2.4 DOHC flat-4	20 city/27 hwy
	Auto	2.4 DOHC flat-4	21 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the CLE’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The BRZ doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CLE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The BRZ doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CLE has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLE higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the Subaru BRZ (3). This means the CLE produces up to 30 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the BRZ every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Mercedes CLE comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the BRZ.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the BRZ:

	CLE	BRZ	BRZ tS
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	11.6 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	11.4 inches	12.4 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CLE has larger standard tires than the BRZ (245/45R18 vs. 215/45R17). The CLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The CLE’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the BRZ Limited/tS’ 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the BRZ Premium. The CLE’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the BRZ Limited/tS.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The BRZ doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The CLE has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The CLE has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The BRZ doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CLE’s wheelbase is 11.4 inches longer than on the BRZ (112.8 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CLE is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the BRZ.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the CLE Coupe a Subcompact car, while the BRZ is rated a Minicompact.

The CLE has 10.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (88 vs. 77.2).

The CLE Coupe has 3.3 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 6.2 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, 9 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the BRZ.

Cargo Capacity

The CLE Coupe has a much larger trunk than the BRZ (11.2 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The CLE’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The BRZ’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CLE. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CLE’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The BRZ doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The CLE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The BRZ uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the CLE, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The BRZ doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CLE’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The BRZ doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CLE’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The BRZ has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

If the windows are left open on the CLE the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the BRZ can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CLE’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the CLE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The BRZ doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CLE offers optional extendable sun visors. The BRZ doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The CLE’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the BRZ Limited/tS.

When the CLE is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The BRZ’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CLE’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The BRZ offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CLE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The BRZ doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CLE’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The BRZ doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the BRZ.

The CLE’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes CLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The BRZ doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The CLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The BRZ doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Mercedes CLE comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Subaru BRZ isn’t available as a convertible.