Compare the2025 Nissan ZVS 2025 Mercedes CLE

The Z has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CLE doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Z’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLE.

Both the Z and the CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the CLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Z for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan 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 CLE.

There are almost 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 19 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Mercedes.

The Z’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 145 more horsepower (400 vs. 255) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 295) than the CLE 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Z’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 25 more horsepower (400 vs. 375) than the CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Z NISMO’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (420 vs. 375) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 369) than the CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Z NISMO is faster than the CLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid (automatics tested):

The Z offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CLE doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Z (except Sport Manual)’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CLE doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Z NISMO’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLE:

The Z stops shorter than the CLE:

For better traction, the Z NISMO’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLE (F:255/40R19 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The Z has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CLE doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the CLE 450 Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Z NISMO executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the CLE 450 Coupe (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the CLE’s (32.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Nissan Z may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 800 pounds less than the Mercedes CLE.

The Z is 1 foot, 6.6 inches shorter than the CLE, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Z Performance/NISMO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CLE doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The CLE can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Mercedes does not offer a locking feature on the CLE’s standard power windows.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Z, based on reliability, safety and performance.