Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG CLEVS 2026 BMW 4 Series Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG CLE have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The AMG CLE has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG CLE. But it costs extra on the 4 Series Coupe.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The AMG CLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the AMG CLE and 4 Series Coupe have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG CLE has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Coupe’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the AMG CLE and the 4 Series Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG CLE weighs 401 to 920 pounds more than the BMW 4 Series Coupe. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG CLE’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG CLE first among upper midsize premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The 4 Series Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

The AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 188 more horsepower (443 vs. 255) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 295) than the 430i Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (443 vs. 386) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 398) than the M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The AMG CLE has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Coupe (17.2 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG CLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4 Series Coupe.

For better stopping power the AMG CLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the AMG CLE has larger tires than the 4 Series Coupe (F:265/40R19 & R:295/35R19 vs. 225/45R18). The AMG CLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Coupe (F:265/40R19 & R:295/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The AMG CLE’s standard 265/40R19 front and 295/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4 Series Coupe’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG CLE’s optional 265/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the 4 Series Coupe’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG CLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 4 Series Coupe. The AMG CLE’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the 4 Series Coupe.

The AMG CLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLE is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4 Series Coupe.

The AMG CLE 53 Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the M440i xDrive Coupe pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLE Coupe has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4 Series Coupe.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 4 Series Coupe, the AMG CLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG CLE’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the AMG CLE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The AMG CLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Coupe.