Head-to-head
2026 Genesis G70 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
The Genesis G70 wins clearly, 97.4 to 70.1, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is ahead on fuel & range.
A
2026 Genesis G70
The 2026 Genesis G70 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the G70 RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg…
vs
A2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CLE300 4matic (C…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Genesis G70
Clear winThe Genesis G70 wins clearly, 97.4 to 70.1, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is ahead on fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2026 Genesis G70 leads by 64.7
Safety 2026 Genesis G70 leads by 34.1
Fuel & range 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class leads by 10.6
| Category · weight | 2026 Genesis G70overall 97.4 | 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Classoverall 70.1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 89.4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 65.9 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 85.6 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 35.3 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 97.4 | 70.1 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Genesis G70: base trim 2.5T RWD · Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class: base trim CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Genesis G70 wins
- It lists 45 standard driver-assist features against 9.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 3 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (58 points against 20.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class answers
- It is rated 27 combined against 24 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($3,050 against $3,400).
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
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Specifications side by side
48 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $59,550 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L Turbo (2,497 cc) GDI TIS | 2.0L Inline-4 Turbo with 48V Mild Hybrid System |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 255 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 21 mpg | 24 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | 27 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 29 mpg | 34 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.727 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | — |
| Overall height | 55.1 in | 56.2 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 191 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in | 73.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 113 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 10.5 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 106 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.8 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 38.7 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.6 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 34.8 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,781 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,691 lbs | 4,057 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,762 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | McPherson | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link (5-link) | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-mounted Motor-driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 36.3 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 350 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | Electronic | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 340 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | — |
| Wheel width | 8 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | Front P225/40R19 / Rear P255/35R19 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.8 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 91 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Genesis Connected Services | SiriusXM |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 56.3 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 54.6 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
173 features · differences first, then sharedSafety49 differ · 53 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Assist | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Junction Turning | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Junction Turning | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | std | — |
| Airbags (Front - Advanced): Driver (1), Front Passenger (1) | std | — |
| Driver and Front Passenger Seat-mounted Side-impact (2) | std | — |
| Highway Driving Assist | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | std | — |
| Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control - Curve (NSCC-C) | std | — |
| Rearview Camera with Parking Guidelines | std | — |
| Rear side airbag (Left + Right) (2) | std | — |
| Safe Exit Warning (SEW) | std | — |
| Active Brake Assist | — | std |
| Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist and Extended Restart in Stop-and-Go Traffic, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Assist, Route-Based Speed Adaptation, Active Brake Assist with Turning and Cross-Traffic Function, and PRE-SAFE® PLUS with PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side | — | opt |
| Adjustable Front-seat Shoulder Belt Anchors | std | — |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) | std | — |
| Anti-theft System Integrated with Remote Keyless Entry | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | — |
| Body side Reinforcements | std | — |
| Brake Assist (included with ESC) | std | — |
| Brembo Braking System (Painted Red or Silver Calipers) | std | — |
| Driver Assistance Package | — | opt |
| Driver Knee Airbag (1) | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | std | — |
| Electronic Stability Control System (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Electronic Stability Control System (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Energy Absorbing Front Seats with Anti-whiplash Front Head Restraints | std | — |
| Energy-absorbing Steering Column | std | — |
| Front (Driver & Passenger) Seatbelt Pre-tensioners and Load Limiters | std | — |
| Front and Rear Crumple Zones & 5-MPH Bumpers | std | — |
| Front Seatbelt Presenters | — | std |
| GUARD 360 with Picture Taking Functionality | — | opt |
| Haptic Steering Wheel – Operates with Lane Keeping Assist | std | — |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | std | — |
| Hood Buckling Creases and Safety Stops | std | — |
| LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors | std | — |
| Occupant Classification System (OCS) | std | — |
| PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist | — | std |
| Power Window Lock-out Button & Pinch Protection | std | — |
| PRE-SAFE® with PRE-SAFE® Sound | — | std |
| Seatbelt Convertible Locking Retractor (CLR) – Front Passenger Seat, 2nd Row Seats | std | — |
| Seatbelt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) – All Seats / Positions | std | — |
| Shift Interlock System | std | — |
| Steering Wheel Locks When Key is Removed | std | — |
| Tamper-proof Door Lock Key Cylinder | std | — |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | std | — |
| Anti-theft Engine Immobilizer | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Individual Tire Pressure Indicator | std | — |
| 11 Airbags (includes center airbag between front seats and head airbags for rear passengers) | std | std |
| 11 Airbags (includes center airbag between front seats and head airbags for rear passengers) | std | std |
| ATTENTION ASSIST Driver Drowsiness Monitor | std | std |
| Adaptive Highbeam Assist | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Head-Up Display | — | opt |
| 11.9-inch Central Multimedia Display | — | std |
| 5th Generation Navigation System with 10.25" touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM®, Dynamic Voice Recognition, Connected Routing, Over the Air Updates, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay® | std | — |
| 6 Speakers (2 front-door-mounted speakers, 2 tweeters, 2 rear speakers, and Subwoofer), Base internal amplifier – Supplier: Mobis | std | — |
| Audio Controls – Volume up/down, Mode, Seek up/down | std | — |
| Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System | std | — |
| Burmester® Surround Sound System with Speakers Integrated into Front Seat Headrests, Sound Personalization and Music Streaming | — | std |
| Genesis Connected Services® Telematics System Generation 2 | std | — |
| HD Radio | std | — |
| Inductive Wireless Smartphone Charging | — | std |
| MBUX Augmented Reality for Navigation | — | opt |
| MBUX Entertainment Plus | — | opt |
| MBUX Infotainment and Navigation with Voice Control, including Natural Language Understanding and Keyword Activation ("Hey Mercedes"), and Routines Function | — | std |
| MBUX Profile Identification via Biometric Fingerprint Scanner | — | std |
| Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| SiriusXM with Trial Period | — | std |
| SiriusXM® Satellite Radio & Antenna – Shark-fin Style | std | — |
| USB – 3 Front: 1 USB data/charge (front console) + 2 USB charge only (front & center console); 1 Rear: 1 USB rear (charge only) | std | — |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | — | std |
Convenience15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity Key with Push-Button Start | std | — |
| 12-volt Outlet Front Console-mounted | std | — |
| Assist Grips (3) | std | — |
| Auto-dimming Inside Rearview Mirror | std | — |
| Cupholders, Dual Front Center Console-mounted | std | — |
| Digital Vehicle Key | — | std |
| Front Center Console Fixed Armrest Storage Box (flocked) | std | — |
| Hands-free Smart Trunk with Auto Open | std | — |
| KEYLESS-START and KEYLESS-GO | — | std |
| Keys – 2 Proximity Key Fobs with Alarm and Trunk Release | std | — |
| Locking Glove Compartment (flocked) | std | — |
| Power Door Locks Auto-locking Availability | std | — |
| Power Windows with Auto Down/Up with Pinch Protection | std | — |
| Rear Coat Hangers (2) | std | — |
| Remote Releases – Hood, Trunk, Fuel Filler Door | std | — |
Climate6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning | std | — |
| Cabin Air Filter | std | — |
| Dual Automatic Temperature Control | std | — |
| Energizing AIR Control | — | opt |
| Outside Temperature Display | std | — |
| Rear Seat Heater Ducts (Center Console-mounted) | std | — |
Seating10 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ventilated Front Seats | — | opt |
| 12-way Power Driver Seat including 4-way Power Lumbar | std | — |
| 60/40 Split Folding Rear Seats | std | — |
| 8-way Power Passenger Seat | std | — |
| Center Folding Armrest with Dual Cup Holders (Rear Seat) | std | — |
| Leather and Nappa Leather Upholstery with Special Coating for Seat Surfaces to Remain Cooler in Direct Sunlight (by up to 23 degrees Fahrenheit) | — | opt |
| Leather and Nappa Leather Upholstery with Special Coating for Seat Surfaces to Remain Cooler in Direct Sunlight (by up to 23 degrees Fahrenheit) | — | opt |
| Leatherette Seating Surfaces | std | — |
| Leatherette Seating Surfaces | std | — |
| Multicontour Front Seats with Massage | — | opt |
| Power Heated Front Seats with Memory | std | std |
Interior31 differ · 31 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | std |
| HomeLink® Integrated Transceiver (located on inside rearview mirror) | std | — |
| 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster | — | std |
| 3-Spoke Steering Wheel | std | — |
| 64-Color Ambient Lighting | — | std |
| 8" Color LCD Multi-Information Display | std | — |
| Aluminum Console Trim | std | — |
| Aluminum Door Trim | std | — |
| Cargo Area LED Light | std | — |
| Door Handles Satin | std | — |
| Door Pocket Storage Compartments | std | — |
| Driver & Front Passenger Sunvisors Sliding | std | — |
| Floor Covering Premium Cut-pile Carpeting | std | — |
| Front Overhead Map LED Lights | std | — |
| Front Overhead Pin Lights | std | — |
| Glove Compartment LED Light | std | — |
| Illuminated Door Sills | — | std |
| Illuminated Driver & Front Passenger Vanity Mirror | std | — |
| Leather Multifunction Steering Wheel | — | std |
| Leatherette Door Panel Inserts | std | — |
| Leatherette Wrapped Crash Pad | std | — |
| New Black Fine Structure Center Console | — | std |
| Perforated Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Pinnacle Trim | — | opt |
| Rear Overhead LED Lights | std | — |
| Roof Trim Cloth | std | — |
| Shift Lever Leather-Wrapped | std | — |
| Stainless Steel Door Sill Plates (Front & Rear) | std | — |
| Manual Telescopic Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Floor Mats Carpeted | std | — |
| Trip Computer (avg. fuel economy, avg. speed, range to empty, trip timer, trip distance) | std | — |
Exterior24 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18- and 19-inch Wheels without AMG Line (CLE 300 4MATIC) | — | opt |
| 18-inch Wheels (CLE 300 4MATIC) | — | std |
| 19- and 20-inch Wheels with AMG Line (CLE 300 4MATIC) | — | opt |
| Aluminum Wheels 19 x 8.0J (front) / 19 x 8.5J (rear) | std | — |
| AMG Line with AMG Exterior Styling, AMG Wheels, Sport Suspension, Sport Brake System, AMG Line Interior and Flat-Bottom Sport Steering Wheel | — | opt |
| Auto-Defogging Windshield | std | — |
| Automatic Headlights | std | — |
| DIGITAL LIGHT with Projections | — | opt |
| Dual Exhaust Chrome | std | — |
| Dual Power Outside Mirrors | std | — |
| Front Windshield Wipers with Variable Intermittent, Speed Sensitive | std | — |
| Full LED Headlights Auto-leveling | std | — |
| Heated with Timer | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | — |
| LED Headlamps and Taillamps | — | std |
| LED Outside Mirror Turn Signal Indicators | std | — |
| LED Taillights | std | — |
| Night Package | — | opt |
| Panorama Roof | — | std |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | — | std |
| Tinted Glass Solar Control | std | — |
| Rear Window Defroster, Electronic with Timer | std | — |
| LED Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) | std | — |
| Spare Tire – Compact / Location: Inside Under Cargo | std | — |
Powertrain11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive | opt | std |
| 2.5L Turbo (2,497 cc), Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Tuned Intake System (TIS) | std | — |
| 8-speed Automatic Transmission | std | — |
| 9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| Active Sound Design (ASD) | std | — |
| Dynamic Select | — | std |
| Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control (DTVC) | opt | — |
| Intelligent Drive Mode – Comfort, Smart, Eco, Sport, Sport+, Custom | std | — |
| Rear Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Rev-Match | std | — |
| Shift-by-Wire | std | — |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-degree Rear-Axle Steering and Suspension with Adaptive Damping System | — | opt |
| Rack-mounted Motor-driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) | std | — |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Net | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPGenesis G70
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Unspecified (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 3 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Power Train (3), Engine (2), Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 26V281000 · 144,049 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Genesis G702.5T RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLE-ClassCLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $59,550 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 6 trims | $59,550 – $84,600 5 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | G70 RWD | CLE300 4matic (Coupe) |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 24 | 27 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,400 | $3,050 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Genesis G70 or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?
The Genesis G70 wins clearly, 97.4 to 70.1, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Genesis G70 scores 97.4 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class 70.1. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Genesis G70 or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?
2026 Genesis G70: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Genesis G70 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?
Where the 2026 Genesis G70 wins: it lists 45 standard driver-assist features against 9, has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 3 filed with NHTSA), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (58 points against 20.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class answers: it is rated 27 combined against 24 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($3,050 against $3,400).