Compare the2024 Mercedes CLEVS 2024 Ford Mustang

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 Mustang doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CLE has standard Maneuvering Assistance that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Mustang doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The CLE offers four-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Mustang 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 Mustang 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 Mustang 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.

Both the CLE and the Mustang 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

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 Mustang’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Ford With 21 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Ford.

As tested in Motor Trend the CLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	CLE	Mustang
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	105 MPH	97.8 MPH

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

			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
Mustang Fastback
RWD	Manual	GT 5.0 V8	14 city/23 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/33 hwy
		Performance 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		w/Start/Stop 5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the CLE Cabriolet gets better mileage than the Mustang Convertible:

			MPG
CLE Cabriolet
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/32 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/32 hwy
Mustang Convertible
RWD	Manual	GT 5.0 V8	14 city/23 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	Performance 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		w/Start/Stop 5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy

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

Regardless of its engine, the CLE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Ford only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Mustang EcoBoost/GT (late availability).

The CLE has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CLE has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang V8’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16 gallons).

The CLE has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Ford Mustang (5 to 7). This means the CLE produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mustang every 15,000 miles.

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

	CLE	Mustang
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	12.6 inches

The CLE’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Mustang EcoBoost are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the CLE has larger standard tires than the Mustang (245/45R18 vs. 235/55R17).

The CLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang EcoBoost. The CLE’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Mustang.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CLE’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the Mustang (112.8 inches vs. 107 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CLE is 1.1 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Mustang.

The CLE Coupe has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mustang Fastback (88 vs. 82.8). The CLE Cabriolet has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mustang Convertible (88 vs. 79.2).

The CLE Coupe has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 3.7 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 5.2 inches more rear legroom, 6.8 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mustang Fastback.

The CLE Convertible has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 3.7 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 5 inches more rear legroom, 10.5 inches more rear hip room and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mustang Convertible.

The CLE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Mustang Convertible doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Mustang, the CLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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. An easy entry system costs extra on the Mustang.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CLE Cabriolet’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Mustang’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Mustang can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the CLE has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the CLE has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The Mustang doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLE offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CLE also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The CLE’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Convertible/Dark Horse.

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 Mustang’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 Mustang offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Mustang.

The CLE has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Mustang.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the CLE has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Mustang doesn’t offer rear vents.

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 center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Mustang.

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