Verdict
At RM292,888, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM235,000 less than the RM527,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA, while annual road tax is RM90 against RM376. The AMG CLA justifies its price for a buyer chasing pace: 421 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h versus 201 hp, 300 Nm, rear-wheel drive and 7.3 seconds. But the C-Class is the more rational Malaysian sedan, with a 6.6 L/100 km rating, 2,865 mm wheelbase, powered rear sunshade and contactless powered boot. The AMG adds adaptive cruise, a head-up display and 360-degree camera.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want to save RM235,000, pay RM286 less annual road tax and prioritise its longer 2,865 mm wheelbase and 6.6 L/100 km rating.
AMG CLA
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if 421 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the substantial extra outlay.
Key differences
- Performance: C-Class 201 hp and 300 Nm; AMG CLA 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: C-Class 7.3 seconds; AMG CLA 4.1 seconds.
- Driveline: C-Class rear-wheel drive; AMG CLA all-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: C-Class 2,865 mm; AMG CLA 2,729 mm.
- Tyres and wheels: C-Class 18-inch 225/45 front and 245/40 rear; AMG CLA 19-inch 255/35 front and rear.
- Road tax: C-Class RM90 per year; AMG CLA RM376 per year.
C-Class
- RM235,000 cheaper to buy with RM90 annual road tax.
- 6.6 L/100 km rated fuel economy and a 20 hp electric motor.
- Longer 2,865 mm wheelbase, rear sunshades and contactless powered boot.
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.2 seconds behind the AMG CLA.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- No adaptive cruise control, head-up display or 360-degree camera.
AMG CLA
- 421 hp, 500 Nm and 4.1-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and AMG Dynamic Select.
- Adaptive cruise control, head-up display and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM235,000 more and annual road tax is RM286 higher.
- No rated fuel-economy figure, versus 6.6 L/100 km for the C-Class.
- 136 mm shorter wheelbase and no rear sunshades.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM292,888✓ | RM527,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM376 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm | 421 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 500 Nm at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 78 mm × 78.3 mm | 83 mm × 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 4.1 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 246 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 151 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 4,701 mm |
| Width | 1,820 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,437 mm | 1,413 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,650 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 455 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 255/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control Suspension | AMG Ride Control, Adaptive dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 4 Front USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-Speaker 225W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 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 C-Class & AMG CLA for sale
C-Class vs AMG CLA FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA better?
The C-Class is better for lower ownership cost, rated economy and a longer wheelbase. The AMG CLA is decisively better for performance, taking 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h with 421 hp and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA costs RM235,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which is faster, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA?
The AMG CLA is much faster: it reaches 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, against 7.3 seconds for the C-Class. It also has 421 hp and 500 Nm, compared with 201 hp and 300 Nm.
