2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE vs 2026 BMW M3

$58,000 · Coupe

$78,400 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE captivates with sophisticated elegance and accessible luxury, presenting a stylish coupe experience right from its $58,000 starting point. In stark contrast, the 2026 BMW M3 screams raw, untamed performance, offering a staggering 473 hp for those demanding track-ready excitement, though at a significant $78,400 premium. The M3 dominates the power metrics, boasting 218 more horsepower than the CLE's 255 hp, and delivers a massive 406 lb-ft of torque compared to the Mercedes' 295 lb-ft. However, the CLE’s efficiency shines through, achieving a combined 27 MPG versus the M3’s thirsty 19 MPG, translating to substantial savings given the M3 burns through premium fuel quickly. While the M3 offers a more practical sedan shape with 16.9 cu ft of cargo space versus the CLE's 11.2 cu ft, the Mercedes champions the daily drive balance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE

The Mercedes-Benz CLE wins for commuters due to its superior efficiency, achieving 27 combined MPG versus the M3's 19 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW M3

The BMW M3 is better for families as it offers a more generous 16.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the CLE's 11.2 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 BMW M3

The BMW M3 provides a pure performance rush with 473 horsepower and a driver-focused 6-speed manual transmission.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE

The Mercedes-Benz CLE offers a compelling luxury coupe package for $20,400 less than the M3.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLE if...

You prioritize daily efficiency, netting 27 combined MPG for lower running costs.
You desire premium design aesthetics in a coupe body style near the $58,000 price point.
You prefer the stability and sure-footedness of the All-Wheel Drive system offered by the CLE.

Choose the BMW M3 if...

Unadulterated power is your priority, with 473 horsepower waiting under the hood.
You crave maximum driver engagement by selecting the classic 6-speed manual transmission.
You require sedan practicality, benefiting from the M3's larger 16.9 cu ft cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz CLE	BMW M3
Length	191.0"	189.1"
Width	73.3"	74.3"
Height	56.2"	56.6"
Wheelbase	112.8"	112.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	255 hp @ 5800 rpm	473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	406 lb-ft @ 2650 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Rear Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/33 MPG	16/23 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	19 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	417.6/574.2 mi.	249.6/358.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.4 gal.	15.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Infotainment Display	11.9 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Burmester	Harman/Kardon
Stereo Power	710W	464W
Speaker System	17	16
Subwoofer Count	2	2
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	12 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	42.1 in.	41.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	56.0 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Premium Leather	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Rear Head Room	36.0 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.2 in.	35.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	52.4 in.	54.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	19 x 10.5 in
Tire Size	245/45R18	285/35R Z
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Tire Type	—	Performance

Suspension

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	6 yr./ 62000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE and 2026 BMW M3.

What is the primary trade-off when choosing between the CLE and the M3?

The choice fundamentally balances efficiency against raw performance. The CLE gives you 27 combined MPG and easier city driving, whereas the M3 demands more frequent stops at the pump for its 19 combined MPG, sacrificing economy for significantly higher power.

How does the difference in horsepower impact the driving experience?

The M3's 473 hp is vastly more powerful than the CLE's 255 hp, meaning the BMW provides immediate, brutal acceleration. The CLE offers a smoother, more relaxed daily drive characteristic of a luxury coupe, rather than the M3's focus on high-speed capability.

Which car is better suited for long highway cruising based on the specs?

The Mercedes-Benz CLE is mechanically better suited for long hauls due to its fuel economy, hitting 33 highway MPG, which translates to fewer stops than the M3's 23 highway MPG rating.

Are these cars similarly sized despite one being a coupe and the other a sedan?

They are very close in footprint; the CLE is slightly longer at 191.0 inches versus the M3's 189.1 inches. However, the M3 sedan is slightly wider at 74.3 inches compared to the CLE’s 73.3 inches.

Does the difference in transmission type matter to drivers?

Yes, it defines the character: the M3 offers an engaging 6-speed manual transmission for enthusiast control, while the CLE provides the smooth convenience of a modern 9-speed shiftable automatic.

What kind of price difference should I expect between these two models?

The difference is substantial, with the 2026 BMW M3 starting at $78,400, making it $20,400 more expensive than the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE starting at $58,000.