Verdict
At RM722,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM426,888 more than the RM296,000 Toyota GR86, and delivers a very different brief. Its 443 hp, 560 Nm inline-six, 20 hp motor and all-wheel drive cut the 0-100 km/h time to 4.2 seconds, against the GR86’s 234 hp, 250 Nm, rear-wheel drive and 6.3 seconds. It is also the more usable four-seater, with a 420-litre boot and 2,875 mm wheelbase. But the 1,291 kg GR86 is 709 kg lighter, manual and far cheaper to tax at RM767 a year versus RM2,128.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want 443 hp all-wheel-drive pace, 420 litres of boot space and a much fuller driver-assistance and comfort kit.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if a 1,291 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and a RM426,888 lower purchase price is the point.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Power and torque: AMG CLE 443 hp and 560 Nm; GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: AMG CLE 4.2 seconds; GR86 6.3 seconds.
- Driveline and gearbox: AMG CLE all-wheel drive with nine-speed dual-clutch automatic; GR86 rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Kerb weight: AMG CLE 2,000 kg; GR86 1,291 kg.
- Boot space: AMG CLE 420 litres; GR86 226 litres.
AMG CLE
- 443 hp, 560 Nm and 4.2-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 420-litre boot and 50:50 split-folding rear seats.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and 360-degree camera.
- RM426,888 more expensive to buy.
- 709 kg heavier.
- RM2,128 annual road tax versus RM767.
GR86
- RM296,000 price and RM767 annual road tax.
- 1,291 kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
- Full-size spare tyre and five-year/150,000 km warranty.
- Slower 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 226-litre boot is 194 litres smaller.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM722,888 | RM296,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,128 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 443 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 560 Nm at 560 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.2 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,853 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 2,042 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,434 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,875 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,000 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/35R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 7 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | Foldable |
| 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 |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| 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 | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 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 & GR86 for sale
AMG CLE vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE or Toyota GR86 better?
The AMG CLE is better for outright pace, daily-space demands and assistance systems, with 443 hp, all-wheel drive and a 420-litre boot. The GR86 is the better fit for a lower-cost, lighter rear-wheel-drive manual coupe.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888 and the Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, so the difference is RM426,888. The AMG CLE also has higher annual road tax: RM2,128 versus RM767.
Which coupe is more practical for four passengers?
The AMG CLE is more practical on the numbers: both seat four, but the Mercedes has a 2,875 mm wheelbase and 420-litre boot. The GR86 has a 2,575 mm wheelbase and 226-litre boot.
