Compare the2026 Mercedes CLEVS 2026 BMW Z4

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 Z4 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The CLE has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Z4 doesn’t offer all-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 Z4 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 Z4 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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 Z4’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. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the Z4 and the Z4’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the CLE and the Z4 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes CLE weighs 514 to 1172 pounds more than the BMW Z4. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CLE’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CLE first among upper midsize premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Z4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 120 more horsepower (375 vs. 255) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the Z4 sDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the CLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Z4 sDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the CLE Cabriolet gets better mileage than the Z4:

The CLE has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (17.4 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLE higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the BMW Z4 (4 to 6). This means the CLE produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Z4 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 Z4.

All wheel drive, available in the CLE, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The BMW Z4 is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the CLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

For better traction, the CLE has larger standard tires than the Z4 (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLE offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Z4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

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 Z4 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 Z4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CLE’s wheelbase is 15.6 inches longer than on the Z4 (112.8 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

The CLE has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z4 can only carry 2.

The CLE has 36 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z4 (88 vs. 52).

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 Z4 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 Z4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Z4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CLE offers optional extendable sun visors. The Z4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CLE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z4 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Z4.

The CLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Z4’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Mercedes CLE comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW Z4 isn’t available as a coupe.

The Mercedes CLE outsold the BMW Z4 by almost seven to one during 2024.