Compare the2025 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2025 Mercedes CLE

Both the 718 Cayman and the 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 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 has more powerful engines than the CLE:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman is faster than the CLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid (automatics tested):

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

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 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 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 CLE doesn’t offer an SMG.

The 718 Cayman PDK’s optional 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 718 Cayman GT4 RS CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 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 CLE doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the CLE:

For better traction and acceleration, the 718 Cayman has larger standard rear tires than the CLE (265/45R18 vs. 245/45R18). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the CLE (295/30R20 vs. 275/35R19).

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the CLE 450 Coupe pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 718 Cayman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the CLE 450 Coupe (23.1 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the CLE’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the CLE’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 to 1250 pounds less than the Mercedes CLE.

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

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 718 Cayman offers an optional rear wiper. The 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 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 CLE has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.