A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupé vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: the short answer
CLE Coupé has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Eclipse Cross remains close.
Eclipse Cross starts ZAR 778,611 cheaperCLE Coupé from ZAR 1,313,601 · Eclipse Cross from ZAR 534,990
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Maximum Power
CLE Coupé150 kW
Eclipse Cross110 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
CLE Coupé320 Nm
Eclipse Cross250 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size
CLE Coupé1999 cc
Eclipse Cross1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
CLE Coupé15.2 km/l
Eclipse Cross13 km/l
Ground Clearance
CLE Coupé120 mm
Eclipse Cross180 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupé
CLE 200 Coupé
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
CLE Coupé
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Eclipse Cross
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CLE Coupé
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Eclipse Cross
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Model Introduced Year
2026
2021
Generation
Current South African CLE Coupé generation represented by derivative CLE 200 Coupé
First-generation Eclipse Cross facelift
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Current South African facelift specification.
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
Current specification
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Coupe
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium coupé
Compact crossover SUV
Vehicle Type
Coupé
Passenger vehicle
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Length
4850 mm
4545 mm
Width
1861 mm
1805 mm
Height
1428 mm
1685 mm
Wheelbase
2865 mm
2670 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
120 mm
180 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
155 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
63 l
Boot/Cargo Space
420 l
437 l
Kerb Weight
1910 kg
1490 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
2100 kg
Payload Capacity
490 kg
610 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.3 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1003 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
932 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1039 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
943 mm
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Engine
1999/L4
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
M254
4B40
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1999 cc
1499 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
10.0:1
Bore
83.0 mm
75 mm
Stroke
92.0 mm
84.8 mm
Maximum Power
150 kW
110 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
320 Nm
250 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Combined Power
150 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
320 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
48 V integrated starter-generator
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
FWD
Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
CVT
Top Speed
240 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.4 sec
8.9 sec
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
17.3 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
No
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
73.8 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
167.8 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
0
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
No
Not Applicable
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Gearbox
9G-TRONIC automatic
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
RWD
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
No
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
6.026
Number of Gears
9
1
Transmission Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
CVT automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Continuously variable pulley system
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
RWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
No
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
No
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Yes
Front Differential Lock
No
No
Gearbox Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
Continuously variable
Low Range Ratio
0
Not Applicable
Low Range
0
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: RWD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
No
No
Transmission Speeds
9
1
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Claimed Mileage
15.2 km/l
13 km/l
City Mileage
15.2 km/l
10.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.2 km/l
14.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
63 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
No
Real-world Mileage
15.2 km/l
13 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
66
63
Combined Driving Range
0
818
Electric Consumption
0
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
0 km
847 km
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
761 km
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Airbags
7
7
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
No
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
No
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
No
BA
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
No
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
No
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
No
Auto Highbeam
Yes
No
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
No
Park Assist
Yes
No
Around View Monitor
Yes
No
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
No
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Synthetic suede and leather
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
No
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
No
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Power adjustable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Power adjustable
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Synthetic suede and leather
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic air conditioning with rear duct
Power Windows
Yes
Front and rear
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Yes
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
No
Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Yes
Electric Tailgate
No
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Yes
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic air conditioning with rear duct
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Smartphone-link Display Audio
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
13
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Multi-information display
USB Ports
USB-C ports
Front and rear
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
8-inch
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
8-inch
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
Yes
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Yes
Roof Rails
No
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
White Diamond, Red Diamond, Sterling Silver Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic, Lightning Blue Mica, Black Mica
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Yes
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
No
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
No
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Tyre Size
245/40 R19
225/55 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
19-inch alloy wheels
Space-saver
Wheel Rim Size
19
18-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electric parking brake
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Multi-link
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
CO2 Emissions
160 g/km
181 g/km
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 years / 90,000 km; 15,000 km intervals
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Ownership Role
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
New vehicle sold through Mitsubishi Motors South Africa
Price Zar
1313601 ZAR
620000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Official South African recommended retail price
Starting Price
1450000
620000
Starting Price Zar
1450000
620000
Spec
CLE Coupé
Eclipse Cross
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
3 years / 100,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This CLE Coupé and Eclipse Cross comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: CLE Coupé 66 vs Eclipse Cross 52.
Efficiency index: CLE Coupé 63 vs Eclipse Cross 51.
Safety-equipment index: CLE Coupé 95 vs Eclipse Cross 76.
Practicality index: CLE Coupé 55 vs Eclipse Cross 64.
Ownership-cover index: CLE Coupé not separately scored vs Eclipse Cross not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
CLE Coupé and Eclipse Cross image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
CLE Coupé leads by 9 points
CLE Coupé has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Eclipse Cross remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
CLE Coupé
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
63/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
55/100
Eclipse Cross
Performance
52/100
Efficiency
51/100
Safety
76/100
Practicality
64/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz CLE Coupé
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 61 pts for Eclipse Cross
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CLE Coupé leads. However, Eclipse Cross may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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