Compare the2024 Mercedes CLEVS 2024 Maserati GranCabrio

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 GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mercedes CLE has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio 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.

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

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. A system to reveal vehicles in the GranCabrio’s blind spot costs extra.

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. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the GranCabrio and the GranCabrio’s Rear Cross Path does not include automatic braking.

Both the CLE and the GranCabrio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, available four-wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The CLE’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the GranCabrio’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 4 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CLE’s warranty.

The GranCabrio’s redline is at 8000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The CLE has a 6250 to 6500 RPM redline.

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

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

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

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the GranCabrio.

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 GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the CLE’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the GranCabrio’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Mercedes CLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Maserati GranCabrio.

The CLE is 4.5 inches shorter than the GranCabrio, making the CLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CLE Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the GranCabrio with its top down (9.6 vs. 4.6 cubic feet). The CLE Cabriolet has a much larger trunk than the GranCabrio with its top up (9.6 vs. 6.1 cubic feet).

The CLE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 GranCabrio can only operate 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 GranCabrio 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.

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 GranCabrio.

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

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