Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM481,000 more, and its 375 hp, 480 Nm four-cylinder mild-hybrid drivetrain cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 4.9 seconds against the CLE’s 255 hp, 400 Nm and 6.2 seconds. It is also a convertible with 21-inch wheels and a 275 km/h top speed. But the CLE is the more rational Malaysian grand tourer: its 460-litre boot is 220 litres larger, it has all-wheel drive, rear air-con vents and a panoramic glass roof. The SL’s open-air appeal and pace are the reasons to stretch.
AMG SL
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace, a convertible body and 21-inch forged wheels matter more than luggage space and price.
CLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and more cabin amenities for RM481,000 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Performance: AMG SL 375 hp, 480 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; CLE 255 hp, 400 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Driveline: AMG SL rear-wheel drive; CLE all-wheel drive.
- Body and luggage: AMG SL convertible with 240-litre boot; CLE coupe with 460-litre boot.
- Dimensions: AMG SL is 4,705 mm long on a 2,700 mm wheelbase; CLE is 4,850 mm long on a 2,865 mm wheelbase.
- Wheels and tyres: AMG SL uses 21-inch wheels with 275/35R21 front and 305/30R21 rear tyres; CLE uses 19-inch wheels with 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear…
AMG SL
- 375 hp and 480 Nm, with 4.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- Convertible body and 275 km/h top speed.
- 21-inch forged alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.
- 240-litre boot is 220 litres smaller than the CLE’s.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of the CLE’s all-wheel drive.
- No panoramic glass roof, rear air-con vents or ventilated front seats.
CLE
- RM481,000 less expensive.
- 460-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- All-wheel drive, ventilated front seats and panoramic glass roof.
- 255 hp and 400 Nm trail the AMG SL’s 375 hp and 480 Nm.
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.3 seconds slower.
- 250 km/h top speed is 25 km/h lower, and it is a fixed-roof coupe rather than a convertible.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM999,888 | RM518,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Coupe |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376✓ | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ | 255 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 480 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | 23 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 5 (Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available for Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-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, Driver Side Auto Up & Down | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 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 SL & CLE for sale
AMG SL vs CLE FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The AMG SL is better for acceleration and open-top driving, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The CLE is better for daily usability, with all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a panoramic glass roof.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM481,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE: RM999,888 versus RM518,888.
Which has more luggage space, the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz CLE?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has the larger boot at 460 litres. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has 240 litres, so the CLE provides 220 litres more luggage space.
