Intro
Hi guys, and welcome back to Petrolhead Podcasts. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is an exciting new vehicle for AMG fans, as unlike the new C43 and C63 models which have controversially downsized to a 4-cylinder engine, the CLE 53 still keeps a good old inline-6 cylinder engine. But going beyond the focus on the number of cylinders, which has dominated the discussion online, is the CLE 53 actually a good driver’s car, and is it better than the BMW M440i, a car that has been the benchmark mid-tier midsize performance coupe for many years? Join me as I go through an in-depth comparison to give you the answer. The 2025 CLE 53 has a starting MSRP of $75,450, while the 2026 BMW M440i xDrive has a starting MSRP of $69,475.
Exterior Styling
Firstly, in terms of exterior styling, the Mercedes clearly looks better. AMG has given the CLE 53 the full widebody treatment usually reserved for 63 models, making the CLE 53 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the regular CLE. This gives the vehicle an incredible bodybuilder-like stance on the road, and is combined with the classic AMG Panamericana grill, a functional hood vent, quad tailpipes and a very sleek and modern side profile. The vehicle looks very special in person. The BMW, on the other hand, feels less unique, as it is almost identical to a regular 4 Series with the M Sport package, except for a different grill, different wing mirrors, and exhaust finishers. In my opinion the M440i doesn’t look as expensive as the CLE 53, and this is not helped by the fact that the 4 series side profile is less elegant than the CLE’s, although overall it still is a decent looking coupe with nice touches including the arrow-shaped daytime running lights that were introduced for the 2025 model year as well as the M4 CSL-style OLED taillights.
The Mercedes’ wide body contributes to its impressive stance on the road
The M440i feels very similar to a 430i in terms of design
Interiors
Moving on to the interiors and the better vehicle of the two is the BMW. While the general design is not the most interesting when compared to the Mercedes, the BMW has better material and build quality, with an extremely solid feel and high-quality soft touch materials even on the lower parts of the dashboard and door cards. Additionally, the inclusion of the BMW curved display, running the iDrive 8.5 system, is excellent, with sharp graphics and is very feature-rich. The BMW is also spacious inside than the Mercedes, with a more useable back seat and more trunk space. The Mercedes interior looks flashier than the BMW at first glance, with elements such as the extensive ambient lighting, the waterfall like center console, the touch displays on the steering wheel, and deeply bolstered the AMG performance seats being extremely impressive looking. Sadly, there are too many cheap-feeling hard plastics in the Mercedes cabin and build quality also doesn’t feel as solid. The central infotainment screen in the Mercedes is also beginning to feel dated with its huge bezels, although the MBUX software it uses is on par with the BMW in terms of features and modernity. In terms of practicality, the Mercedes is not as spacious in terms of legroom and trunk space as the BMW.
The BMW has more solid feeling build quality
The Mercedes has an upmarket design but some materials used are subpar
Drivetrains
In terms of drivetrains, the Mercedes is superior. The CLE has more power and torque at 443 horsepower and 413 pound feet of torque and is also faster to accelerate to 60 MPH at a claimed 4 seconds. The CLE also comes with rear-wheel steering, which is not available for the BMW. 23 MPG The M440i, in isolation, still has a great drivetrain and puts out a stout 386 horsepower and 398 pound feet of torque and accelerates to 60 MPH in a claimed 4.2 seconds. However, other than superior fuel economy 29 MPG, the BMW is comprehensively beaten by the Mercedes.
The Mercedes has superior power, torque and acceleration figures than the BMW
The BMW’s only advantage comes with superior fuel economy
Driving Experience
In terms of driving experience, the Mercedes is superior. The much wider track and wider tires compared to the BMW and AMG-specific chassis tuning make the CLE 53 feel more engaging to drive than the M440i with noticeably better traction, grip and body control on the road. The limits to the AMG feel higher from a handling perspective, which is remarkable considering it weighs more than the BMW. Also surprisingly, the rear-wheel steering helps the Mercedes feel slightly more agile than the smaller and lighter BMW. Ride comfort in the Mercedes is not as good as the BMW, however, although it still is not terrible. Additionally, the engine and transmission combination don’t feel as smooth and well-paired as the BMW, with less decisive gear shifts. In terms of how the BMW drives, having recently driven multiple 3 and 4 series models at BMW USA events, I think the M340i and M440i feel very similar to the 330i and 430i with M Sport package in terms of driving dynamics, and other than the bigger engine, there isn’t much difference in terms of how they drive. I don’t think the M440i feels as removed from the regular 4 series as the CLE 53 does from the regular versions of the CLE. Nevertheless, the BMW’s driving experience still has highlights, including the legendary BMW B58 inline-6 cylinder engine, which is a smooth, sonorous, and efficient engine that is also matched well to the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The BMW has a balanced and stout feeling chassis with good turn-in, decent steering that is sadly slightly lacking in feel, and ride comfort and refinement that are superior to the Mercedes, especially if the adaptive suspension option is chosen, although again, all of this is still true if you choose a 430i M Sport, and you get the added benefit of noticeably less weight over the front axle with the smaller engine, which makes the turn-in and overall handling even better.
The CLE’s wider track and rear-wheel steering contribute to impressive handling
The BMW still has a great driving experience in isolation but it feels similar to a 430i
Conclusion
So overall, which is the better performance coupe? Personally, the Mercedes is the winner. Visually, the CLE 53 looks a lot more special, and the widebody and all the other chassis upgrades give the Mercedes a more engaging driving experience with higher limits than the BMW, combining to make it feel closer to a 63 level AMG than the BMW does to a real M car. Sadly, the interior cannot match the BMW for build quality, but otherwise I think the AMG is clearly the better buy. The M440i is still a good vehicle and has one of the best internal combustion engines currently on the market. However, I think that it feels too similar to the regular 430i in terms of its design as well as driving experience despite the large price difference.