Verdict
At RM722,888 against RM999,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM277,000 less yet reaches 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, 0.7 seconds ahead of the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL. Its 420-litre boot and 2,875-mm wheelbase suit regular Malaysian use better, and all-wheel drive is a useful advantage in heavy rain. The SL counters with a convertible body, 275-km/h top speed and a much lower RM376 annual road tax versus RM2,128. Choose the CLE for usable pace; the SL is the open-air grand tourer if its price and 240-litre boot are acceptable.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want the quicker 4.2-second sprint, 420-litre boot and all-wheel drive for RM277,000 less.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if an open-top body, 275-km/h top speed and RM376 annual road tax matter more than luggage space and outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 seconds.
- Top speed: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 275 km/h.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 240 litres.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM2,128; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM376.
AMG CLE
- 443 hp and 560 Nm, with a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 420-litre boot is 180 litres larger.
- All-wheel drive, rear air vents and seven airbags.
- RM2,128 annual road tax versus RM376.
- 250-km/h top speed and 2,000-kg weight versus 275 km/h and 1,810 kg.
AMG SL
- Convertible body and 275-km/h top speed.
- 1,810 kg, which is 190 kg lighter.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty and 17-speaker Burmester audio.
- Costs RM277,000 more.
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.7 seconds slower.
- 240-litre boot is 180 litres smaller, and it has no rear air-con vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM722,888✓ | RM999,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,128 | RM376✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 443 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 375 hp at 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | 560 Nm at 560 rpm✓ | 480 Nm at 3,250 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp✓ | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Daimler |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.2 seconds✓ | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,853 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 2,042 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,434 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,875 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,000 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres✓ | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/35R20 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 305/30R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 7 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 5 (Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used AMG CLE & AMG SL for sale
AMG CLE vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is the better choice for performance and day-to-day usability: it is quicker to 100 km/h, has all-wheel drive and a 420-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is the choice for convertible motoring and a higher 275-km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM277,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE. That extra outlay brings the convertible body, 21-inch forged wheels, 17-speaker Burmester system, auto parking and a four-year warranty.
Which is more practical for Malaysian use?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is more practical. It has a 2,875-mm wheelbase, rear air-con vents, rear ISOFIX on both outer seats and a 420-litre boot, compared with the SL's 2,700-mm wheelbase and 240-litre boot.
