Compare the2025 Maserati GranCabrio FogloreVS 2024 Mercedes CLE

Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on the GranCabrio Foglore. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the CLE.

Both the GranCabrio Foglore and the CLE 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 lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Maserati GranCabrio Foglore weighs 672 to 1101 pounds more than the Mercedes CLE. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The GranCabrio Foglore’s electric motors produces 496 more horsepower (751 vs. 255) and 701 lbs.-ft. more torque (996 vs. 295) than the CLE 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GranCabrio Foglore’s electric motors produces 376 more horsepower (751 vs. 375) and 627 lbs.-ft. more torque (996 vs. 369) than the CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the GranCabrio Foglore running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the CLE Cabriolet:

The GranCabrio Foglore can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 233 miles. The CLE can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Maserati GranCabrio Foglore higher (10 out of 10) than the Mercedes CLE (7 to 8). This means the GranCabrio Foglore produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CLE every 15,000 miles.

The GranCabrio Foglore’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CLE doesn’t offer launch control.

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

For better traction, the GranCabrio Foglore has larger tires than the CLE (F:265/30R20 & R:295/30R21 vs. 245/45R18). The GranCabrio Foglore’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLE (F:265/30R20 & R:295/30R21 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The GranCabrio Foglore’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLE’s standard 45 series tires. The GranCabrio Foglore’s tires are lower profile than the CLE’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GranCabrio Foglore has standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CLE. The CLE’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the GranCabrio Foglore uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the CLE, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GranCabrio Foglore has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GranCabrio Foglore’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The CLE doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GranCabrio Foglore’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the CLE (115.3 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GranCabrio Foglore is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the CLE.

The GranCabrio Foglore’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the CLE’s (55% to 45%). This gives the GranCabrio Foglore more stable handling and braking.

The GranCabrio Foglore’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 CLE’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The GranCabrio Foglore has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CLE.

The GranCabrio Foglore has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The CLE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.