Compare the2026 BMW 4 Series CoupeVS 2026 Mercedes AMG CLE

The 4 Series Coupe’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 4 Series Coupe’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 AMG CLE.

Both the 4 Series Coupe and the AMG CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG CLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 14 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Coupe gets better mileage than the AMG CLE Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 4 Series Coupe uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG CLE requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the AMG CLE.

For better maneuverability, the 4 Series Coupe’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the AMG CLE’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The 4 Series Coupe xDrive’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the AMG CLE’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The BMW 4 Series Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 750 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLE.

The 4 Series Coupe is 3.1 inches shorter than the AMG CLE, making the 4 Series Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 4 Series Coupe a Compact car, while the AMG CLE Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The 4 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLE Coupe (15.5 vs. 11.2 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 4 Series offers cargo security. The AMG CLE’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

The 4 Series Coupe 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 AMG CLE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG CLE isn’t available as a four door.

The 4 Series Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Coupe first among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The AMG CLE isn’t in the top three in its category.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Mercedes AMG CLE by almost three to one during 2025.