2025 Toyota Mirai vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE
Comparison Overview
Trying to choose between futuristic fuel cell technology and classic luxury coupe styling can be tough! The 2025 Toyota Mirai, starting at $51,795, offers an incredible 402 miles of electric range running on hydrogen, making long-distance commutes surprisingly efficient despite its modest 182 hp. Conversely, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE commands a premium price tag of $59,550 and delivers 255 hp through its AWD system, though its 27 combined MPG means frequent stops for premium unleaded. This comparison pits efficiency and range (Mirai's 402 miles) against traditional performance and a 9.6 cu ft cargo hold versus the CLE's slightly larger 11.2 cu ft area. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether groundbreaking zero-emission driving suits your lifestyle more than traditional gasoline-powered, higher-horsepower cruising.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Mirai
The Mirai's phenomenal 402-mile range on hydrogen far surpasses the CLE's limited gasoline range for daily driving needs.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE
Despite being a coupe, the CLE offers slightly more cargo space at 11.2 cu ft compared to the Mirai's 9.6 cu ft.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE
The CLE delivers significantly more fun with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque driving all four wheels.
2025 Toyota Mirai
The Mirai saves buyers $7,755 upfront and operates on hydrogen, which generally translates to lower running costs than the CLE's premium fuel requirement.
Choose the Toyota Mirai if...
- Your primary concern is reducing your carbon footprint with zero tailpipe emissions.
- You frequently take long trips and value the 402 miles of hydrogen range.
- You want to save $7,755 upfront compared to the Mercedes-Benz.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLE if...
- You prioritize spirited driving, benefiting from 255 hp and All-Wheel Drive.
- You prefer the traditional driving experience afforded by required premium unleaded gasoline.
- You want a slightly smaller vehicle (191.0 inches long) with better maneuvering capability.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Mirai | Mercedes-Benz CLE |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.8" | 191.0" |
| Width | 74.2" | 73.3" |
| Height | 57.9" | 56.2" |
| Wheelbase | 114.9" | 112.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | — |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Front Integrated Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Integrated Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Type | electric (fuel cell) | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 255 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Base Engine Displacement | — | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | — | inline 4 |
| Number of Valves | — | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | — | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | — | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | hydrogen | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | 76/71 MPGe | — |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | 74 MPGe | — |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | 402 mi. | — |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | 72 | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.24 kWh | — |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | — | 24/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | — | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | — | 417.6/574.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | — | 17.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | ✓ | — |
| Side View Camera | ✓ | — |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Parking Assist | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 11.9 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| JBL Speakers | ✓ | — |
| Stereo Power | 1200W | 710W |
| Speaker System | 14 | 17 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | 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 | 3 months | 6 months |
| Premium Speaker Brand | — | Burmester |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass Extended |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.4 in. | 40.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.2 in. | 42.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.4 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 10-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | 10-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.7 in. | 36.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 33.1 in. | 34.2 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.4 in. | 52.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.8 in. | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | P235/55R19 | 245/45R18 |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Run Flat Tires | — | ✓ |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 150000 mi. | 6 yr./ 62000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 35000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Mirai and 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE.
What is the actual real-world difference in owning a hydrogen versus a premium gas car?
The Mirai offers a unique experience where refueling takes minutes like gas, but the fuel source is hydrogen, aiming for zero emissions. The CLE requires regular stops for premium unleaded, which impacts both cost and convenience compared to the Mirai's specialized network.
Is the Mercedes CLE's extra horsepower worth the $7,755 price increase over the Mirai?
If raw performance matters, yes; the CLE has 255 hp versus the Mirai's 182 hp. However, for daily driving where speed limits are the factor, the Mirai's efficiency and range may feel more valuable than the extra 73 hp.
How much different are these vehicles in terms of physical size?
The Mirai is noticeably longer at 195.8 inches compared to the CLE's 191.0 inches, but they are very similar in width. The Mirai is also slightly taller at 57.9 inches, giving it a more traditional sedan profile.
Which car is better for highway cruising based on efficiency specs?
The Mirai wins on pure range (402 miles), but the CLE achieves 33 MPG on the highway, meaning the CLE's efficiency translates to miles per tank, whereas the Mirai's range relies on hydrogen station availability.
Since the Mirai is RWD and the CLE is AWD, does this affect everyday grip?
Generally, the CLE's All-Wheel Drive (AWD) provides superior traction, especially in poor weather conditions. The Mirai's Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) setup is typical for performance sedans but may require more driver skill in slick scenarios.
Do these two cars offer similar cargo capacities for groceries or luggage?
The capacities are close, but the Mercedes CLE has a slight advantage with 11.2 cubic feet of space compared to the Toyota Mirai’s 9.6 cubic feet. This difference might matter for weekend trips.
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