2027 BMW 4 SERIES VS. 2026 MERCEDES-BENZ CLE COUPE: FULL COMPARISON.
BMW 430i Coupe returns 36 MPG highway, three more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC's 33 MPG. BMW 4 Series also offers a rear-wheel-drive configuration, while the CLE Coupe comes standard with AWD. This comparison covers powertrain, space, technology, and ownership so you can shop Grayson BMW's inventory with confidence.
THE SHORT ANSWER.
For drivers who prioritize efficiency, a driver-focused rear-wheel-drive setup, and a broader range of body styles, BMW 4 Series is the stronger choice. For drivers who want all-wheel drive standard on the CLE Coupe models addressed in this comparison, a larger cargo hold in the base coupe, and a panorama roof included from the start, the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe makes a compelling case. Both vehicles seat four and provide four-year, 50,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty coverage.
SPECS HEAD-TO-HEAD.
| Specification | BMW 430i Coupe | BMW M440i xDrive Coupe | Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC | Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo I-4 | 3.0L BMW M TwinPower Turbo I-6 (mild hybrid) | 2.0L Turbo I-4 (mild hybrid) | 3.0L Turbo I-6 (mild hybrid) |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 386 hp | 255 hp | 375 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 398 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD (xDrive) | AWD (4MATIC) | AWD (4MATIC) |
| 0-60 mph | 5.6 sec | 4.2 sec | 6.2 sec | 4.2 sec |
| EPA city/hwy MPG | 28/36 | 26/33 | 24/33 | 23/33 |
| Length | 187.9 in | 188 in | 191.0 in | 191.0 in |
| Cargo capacity | 15.5 cu ft (max) | 15.5 cu ft (max) | 11.2 cu ft | 11.2 cu ft |
| Seating | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
full 2027 BMW 4 Series specs and models
PERFORMANCE AND POWERTRAIN.
At the base level, both BMW 430i Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC produce 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. BMW 430i Coupe reaches 60 mph in 5.6 seconds; the CLE 300 takes 6.2 seconds. The published acceleration figures give BMW 430i Coupe a six-tenths-of-a-second advantage.
Step up to the six-cylinder tier and BMW M440i xDrive delivers 386 hp, compared with 375 hp in the CLE 450 4MATIC. Both reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds in their all-wheel-drive configurations. BMW M440i's 398 lb-ft of torque edges the CLE 450's 369 lb-ft, which contributes to stronger mid-range response.
One key structural difference: BMW 430i Coupe starts with rear-wheel drive, which many driving enthusiasts prefer for its balance and steering feel. BMW 430i xDrive adds BMW xDrive all-wheel drive if you want added traction. The CLE 300 arrives with 4MATIC all-wheel drive as its drivetrain configuration, which suits buyers in climates with frequent rain or winter conditions but removes the RWD choice entirely.
BMW M440i benefits from mild hybrid assist in its inline six-cylinder, contributing to responsiveness at lower engine speeds. The CLE 300 and CLE 450 also use integrated starter-generator mild hybrid systems. Neither vehicle qualifies as a plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle.
INTERIOR, SPACE AND CARGO.
BMW 4 Series Coupe offers maximum cargo capacity of 15.5 cu ft with rear seat backs folded, compared with 11.2 cu ft in the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 and CLE 450 Coupes. With the rear seats upright, BMW 4 Series provides 10.6 cu ft behind the second row. For buyers who regularly need to carry luggage or weekend gear, that gap is significant.
Front legroom is comparable between the two vehicles. BMW 4 Series Coupe seats four and measures approximately 187.9 to 188 inches in length. The CLE Coupe is 191.0 inches long, offering three additional inches of overall length, though that extra length does not translate to a larger cargo hold.
Both interiors feature sport-oriented seating, ambient lighting, and driver-focused cockpit designs. BMW 4 Series includes Ambient Lighting as standard. The CLE includes 64-color ambient LED lighting as standard and adds a Panorama roof without requiring a package purchase. BMW's Parking Assistance Package and Premium Package are available options that add items like the Harman Kardon surround sound system, Live Cockpit Professional, and a heated steering wheel.
The CLE 450 and CLE 300 both include a Burmester 3D Surround Sound System as standard, which BMW reserves for the optional Premium Package on BMW 4 Series. Buyers who want premium audio standard without option spending will find the CLE's approach more straightforward at equivalent models.
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY.
BMW 4 Series runs BMW Operating System 8.5 with a QuickSelect start screen, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (voice-activated via "Hey, BMW"), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless device charging as standard. The My BMW App provides remote lock and unlock, Remote Engine Start via the optional Premium Package on BMW 430i, and vehicle status monitoring.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE runs third-generation MBUX with a 12.3-inch driver display and 11.9-inch center touchscreen. Standard equipment includes voice control with natural language understanding, biometric fingerprint scanner-based MBUX Profile Identification, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The MBUX Routines function automates comfort and convenience settings based on driver behavior over time.
On safety, BMW 4 Series includes Active Blind Spot Detection, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, and Lane Departure Warning as standard. The available Driving Assistant Professional Package adds Traffic Jam Assistant, Distance Control with Steering Assistant, Lane Change Assistant, hands-free driving at speeds up to 40 mph on selected highways, and Evasion Aid.
The CLE 300 includes a broader set of standard active safety features, among them Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, and PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist. Many of the most capable driver assistance functions on the CLE, including Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist, are available only through the optional Driver Assistance Package at additional cost.
Both vehicles offer over-the-air software update capability and connected app ecosystems. The key technology differentiator for many buyers will be MBUX's biometric profile system versus BMW ConnectedDrive's deeper integration with the My BMW App and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
VALUE AND OWNERSHIP.
BMW 4 Series is covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for four years or 50,000 miles. The Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe also carries a four-year or 50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Neither vehicle holds an advantage in the basic new-vehicle warranty term.
BMW 430i Coupe's EPA highway rating of 36 MPG is the most tangible ownership differentiator in this comparison. The CLE 300 4MATIC rates 33 MPG highway. Over 15,000 miles of annual highway driving, that three-MPG difference adds up to meaningful fuel savings across the ownership period.
BMW 4 Series lineup spans Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe body styles, giving buyers multiple body-style choices within the same model family. Mercedes-Benz also offers CLE Coupe and CLE Cabriolet body styles, so buyers considering open-air driving have an option in both model families.
Buyers who want all-wheel drive without selecting a separate drivetrain configuration will find the CLE straightforward, since 4MATIC is standard on the CLE Coupe models addressed in this comparison. BMW 4 Series buyers who prefer RWD have that choice with BMW 430i and BMW M440i, while corresponding BMW xDrive models provide all-wheel drive.
WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY.
Choose BMW 4 Series if you:
- Want the better highway fuel economy (36 MPG vs 33 MPG on comparable base models)
- Prefer rear-wheel drive with BMW xDrive all-wheel drive available in corresponding models
- Want Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe body-style choices within the BMW 4 Series family
- Want a broader output range, from 255 hp in BMW 430i up to 386 hp in BMW M440i
- Value BMW ConnectedDrive and the My BMW App ecosystem
Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe if you:
- Want all-wheel drive standard on the CLE Coupe models addressed here
- Prefer a panorama roof included as standard equipment
- Want the Burmester 3D Surround Sound System standard without adding a package
- Value the MBUX biometric profile system and the Routines automation feature
- Prefer a slightly longer body (191 inches vs 187.9 to 188 inches)
Drivers in Knoxville who put miles on Tennessee's winding roads and want a driver-focused coupe with genuine RWD dynamics and strong fuel efficiency will find BMW 4 Series compelling. Buyers who want a feature-rich, AWD-first coupe with a premium audio and infotainment setup standard will find the CLE Coupe a serious competitor.
COMPARE BMW 4 SERIES AND CLE COUPE SIDE BY SIDE AT GRAYSON BMW IN KNOXVILLE.
Grayson BMW in Knoxville carries BMW 4 Series inventory across multiple configurations. The most direct way to decide between BMW 4 Series and the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe is to drive both. Our team can walk you through every model, package, and drivetrain option so you leave with the right vehicle for your needs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Is BMW 4 Series more fuel efficient than the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe?
Yes. BMW 430i Coupe rates 28 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, compared with 24 MPG city and 33 MPG highway for the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC. BMW 4 Series advantage is four MPG in the city and three MPG on the highway at comparable base models.
Does the BMW 4 Series have more cargo space than the CLE Coupe?
Yes. BMW 4 Series Coupe offers up to 15.5 cu ft of maximum cargo with rear seat backs folded. The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 and CLE 450 Coupe each provide 11.2 cu ft. That is a difference of 4.3 cu ft in BMW 4 Series' favor.
Does the CLE Coupe come with all-wheel drive standard?
Yes. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe models addressed in this comparison use 4MATIC all-wheel drive. BMW 430i Coupe uses rear-wheel drive, while BMW 430i xDrive Coupe provides BMW xDrive all-wheel drive.
What technology does the BMW 4 Series have compared to the CLE Coupe?
BMW 4 Series uses BMW Operating System 8.5 with QuickSelect, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and the My BMW App. The CLE Coupe uses third-generation MBUX with a 12.3-inch driver display and 11.9-inch touchscreen, biometric fingerprint profile identification, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and the MBUX Routines automation feature. Both systems are capable; the choice comes down to ecosystem preference.
Is the warranty the same on both vehicles?
Both vehicles provide four-year or 50,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty coverage. BMW 4 Series is covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe carries Mercedes-Benz New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage.
How does acceleration performance compare between BMW 4 Series and the CLE Coupe?
At the base four-cylinder level, BMW 430i Coupe reaches 60 mph in 5.6 seconds versus 6.2 seconds for the CLE 300 4MATIC. At the six-cylinder all-wheel-drive level, BMW M440i xDrive Coupe and the CLE 450 4MATIC both reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. BMW 430i Coupe has the stronger published acceleration figure at the base model level.
Does the BMW 4 Series come as a Convertible?
Yes. BMW 4 Series is available as a Convertible in BMW 430i, BMW 430i xDrive, BMW M440i, and BMW M440i xDrive configurations. Mercedes-Benz also offers the CLE as a Cabriolet.
Where can I test-drive BMW 4 Series near Knoxville?
Grayson BMW in Knoxville carries BMW 4 Series Coupe inventory. Use the inventory link on this page to see available configurations, or schedule a test drive directly through the form on this site.