Compare the2025 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2025 Mercedes AMG CLE

Both the 718 Cayman and the AMG CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (493 vs. 443) than the AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 718 Cayman 2.0 turbo flat-4 7-speed SMG gets better fuel mileage than the AMG CLE 53 Coupe (21 city/27 hwy vs. 20 city/27 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Cayman GT4 RS/GTS 4.0’s fuel efficiency. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 718 Cayman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 718 Cayman offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the 718 Cayman GT4 RS CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLE:

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the AMG CLE’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1350 to 1400 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLE.

The 718 Cayman is 1 foot, 6.6 inches shorter than the AMG CLE, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Cayman is 5.1 inches narrower on average than the AMG CLE, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLE Coupe (15 vs. 11.2 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

The 718 Cayman’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The AMG CLE does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 718 Cayman offers an optional rear wiper. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Cayman has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 19 more times in the last 20 years. The AMG CLE has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.