Compare the2025 Subaru BRZVS 2025 Mercedes CLE

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CLE doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The BRZ’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLE.

Both the BRZ and the CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the BRZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the CLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 66 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the BRZ’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 23 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the BRZ lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The CLE doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The BRZ offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CLE doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The BRZ stops shorter than the CLE:

The BRZ Limited handles at .99 G’s, while the CLE 450 Coupe pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BRZ tS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CLE 450 Coupe (25.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the BRZ’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the CLE’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Subaru BRZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1250 to 1600 pounds less than the Mercedes CLE.

The BRZ is 1 foot, 11.1 inches shorter than the CLE, making the BRZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 19% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

The BRZ’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Mercedes does not offer a locking feature on the CLE’s standard power windows.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the BRZ’s exterior PIN entry system. The CLE doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The BRZ has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The CLE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru BRZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BRZ was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 3 more times in the last 12 years. The CLE has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.