Verdict
At RM518,888, the Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM239,888 more than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, and its appeal is clear if performance and cabin technology matter: 255 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds versus 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. The Outback is the more rational Malaysian family car, with five seats, five doors and a 522-litre boot against the CLE’s four seats, two doors and 460 litres. Both are all-wheel drive, but they serve very different jobs.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the far quicker 255 hp coupe, 9G-Tronic transmission, Digital Light headlamps and a 17-speaker Burmester system.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five seats, five doors, a larger 522-litre boot and a RM239,888 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: CLE 255 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds; Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Body practicality: CLE has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 460-litre boot; Outback has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 522-litre boot.
- Dimensions: CLE is 4,850 mm long and 1,428 mm tall; Outback is 4,870 mm long and 1,682 mm tall.
- Running costs: CLE road tax is RM380 per year; Outback road tax is RM878 per year.
- Warranty: CLE gets 4 years with unlimited mileage; Outback gets 5 years or 100,000 km.
CLE
- 255 hp and 400 Nm with a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Digital Light Matrix LEDs, head-up display and auto parking.
- 17-speaker Burmester audio, ventilated front seats and 360-degree camera.
- RM239,888 pricier than the Outback.
- Only two doors, four seats and a 460-litre boot versus five doors, five seats and 522 litres.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty versus the Outback’s five years.
Outback
- Five seats, five doors and a 522-litre boot.
- RM279,000 price is RM239,888 below the CLE.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 185 hp, 245 Nm and a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trail the CLE substantially.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM498 higher than the CLE’s.
- No head-up display, navigation or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM518,888 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,850 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,428 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light Matrix LEDs | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof 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 | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 6 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 CLE & Outback for sale
CLE vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE or Subaru Outback better?
The CLE is better for pace and premium equipment, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds with 255 hp. The Outback is better for family use, providing five seats, five doors and a 522-litre boot for RM239,888 less.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000. The difference is RM239,888 in the Outback’s favour.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has lower annual road tax at RM380, compared with RM878 for the Subaru Outback. That is a RM498 annual difference.
