Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class vs smart fortwo
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
From $104,900
Coupe
Petrol
Petrol
150kW
7.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
420L
smart fortwo
Price TBC
Coupe
Petrol
Petrol
52kW
4.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
smart fortwo: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 7 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the smart fortwo. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class gets synthetic leather upholstery while the smart fortwo offers black fabric with leather-optic side bolsters.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class uses a Petrol producing 150kW and 320Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds.
The smart fortwo responds with a Petrol making 52kW and 92Nm, paired to a 5-speed soft-touch automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 52kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,052/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class and $1,254/year for the smart fortwo. That is a $798 annual difference in favour of the smart fortwo.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the smart fortwo if: You want lower running costs, or prefer smart's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (67 vs 40), taking 1 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: technology (Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class ahead by 68), safety (Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class ahead by 66), performance (Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class ahead by 30). The smart fortwo will save you roughly $798 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class and smart fortwo?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is the cheapest at $104,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The smart fortwo uses the least fuel at 4.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for smart fortwo, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class makes the most power at 150kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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