There may be fewer and fewer new coupes on the road these days, but you'll find some gems among the remaining bunch. The CLE is a comfortable, quiet and well-appointed luxury coupe that replaces both the C-Class and E-Class coupes. It's not the sportiest two-door out there, but it's plenty quick when you ask for it. It's one of the more expensive vehicles in its class, but when it comes to luxury 2+2s, there are few out there better than the Mercedes CLE.Read full review
Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
Optional smooth, powerful and silent inline six-cylinder
Standard all-wheel drive across the lineup
Easy on the eyes inside and out
Cons
Costly engine is required to make it fun
More relaxed canyon cruiser than back-road athlete
Some interior finishes miss the mark in this price range
What's new
New CLE coupe and convertible replace the C-Class and E-Class equivalents
New performance-oriented AMG CLE 53 coupe variant
Kicks off the first CLE generation for 2024
Overview
The CLE is a new coupe and convertible that slots into the Mercedes roster between the C-Class and E-Class lineups, replacing the existing C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles. Its mission is to be a more engaging-to-drive car than the sedans in those lines. Two engines are available in the coupe and convertible (aka Cabriolet), both paired with a nine-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. A higher-output AMG CLE 53 version will join the lineup later in 2024.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE AMG CLE 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.76 per gallon for premium unleaded in New Jersey.
Inside, the CLE offers the decluttered dash and center stack of many modern Benzs, giving it a decidedly upscale presentation. There's a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch center touchscreen. And there's the third-generation MBUX infotainment system that adds to the appeal since it's more intuitive than the second-gen system that's still in many Mercedes vehicles. But the CLE is not perfect. Some interior door plastics aren't as well finished as we'd expect in this segment. Standard equipment is adequate. Forward collision warning and lane keeping assistance are included but you need to spring for the Driver Assistance package to get adaptive cruise, blind-spot warning and lane centering assistance. Neither the base coupe nor convertible offers adaptive dampers, which is fine — we like the compliant, comfy ride these models offer. The adaptive dampers, as well as rear-axle steering, will be available on the higher-performance AMG CLE 53.
Competitors to consider
BMW's 4 Series coupe and convertible and Audi's A5 and S5 coupe and convertible are the CLE's direct competitors. The Audi RS 5 coupe and the BMW M4 Coupe compete closely in output with the upcoming AMG CLE 53 variant.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our Verdict
The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
There may be fewer and fewer new coupes on the road these days, but you'll find some gems among the remaining bunch. The CLE is a comfortable, quiet and well-appointed luxury coupe that replaces both the C-Class and E-Class coupes. It's not the sportiest two-door out there, but it's plenty quick when you ask for it. It's one of the more expensive vehicles in its class, but when it comes to luxury 2+2s, there are few out there better than the Mercedes CLE.
How does the CLE drive? The CLE is firmly in the luxury coupe camp, but that doesn't mean it's a snooze behind the wheel. Our CLE 450 4Matic test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 4.5 seconds, putting it near the top of the class. The turbocharged inline-six is smooth, with very little turbo lag and power all over the rev band. The automatic transmission is smooth and seamless in operation, and it never stumbles or seems to be in the wrong gear at the wrong time.
Overall handling is better than you might expect for a luxury coupe. The suspension is compliant, but the smooth ride doesn't lead to excessive body roll in a turn. The CLE's standard all-wheel-drive system puts the power down firmly to the pavement, so traction is never really an issue. Steering feel is a bit lacking, but the light effort and quick response to the driver's inputs make the CLE easy to park.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the CLE? Comfort and ease are the name of the game here. Ride quality is excellent overall. The CLE soaks up bumps and imperfections with easy, sending very few vibrations or shocks through the cabin, even on rougher road surfaces. CLE 450 models like our test car come standard with a sport suspension setup (optional on the CLE 300), but it's fairly compliant as far as these things go. Seat comfort is nice with our car's optional seats offering tons of adjustment for lumbar, bolstering and more. It may take a second to dial in a good position, but few people will have trouble finding a comfortable setting.
Like most current Mercedes models, the CLE uses touchscreen controls for the climate system. They're easy to reach, but the low placement on the screen and lack of physical controls mean taking your eyes off the road to make adjustments or using voice commands, neither of which is ideal. Heated and ventilated seats work well, though. The fans, like the CLE as a whole, are quiet, even at full blast. Very little wind or road noise intrudes into the cabin.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The CLE is one of the more spacious coupes in this class. The CLE is fairly easy to get in and out of for a coupe, though the long doors can make it difficult to slip in and out of in tight spaces. The front should offer plenty of room for passengers of every size, while the rear is tight for adults but offers more space than rivals from BMW, Audi and Lexus.
The driving position is comfortable, and most of the controls are easy to see and reach. The controls themselves aren't our favorite. The steering wheel's capacitive touch controls haven't grown on us over the years, and the touchscreen is responsive but comes with a steep learning curve. Controls for the heated seats can be hard to see, too. The tall beltline and long hood hurt outward visibility, but the standard surround-view camera system offers high-resolution images that make parking much easier.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $6,089 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $6,089 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the AMG CLE 53 trim.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE AMG CLE 53 pricing in Wayne, NJ
How’s the tech? The learning curve can be steep, but Mercedes' infotainment and technology is some of the best in any car on the road today. The navigation system is clean and easy to use, with large maps and clear turn-by-turn directions. You can use voice commands to input an address, adjust the climate control, or even have the car tell you a joke. If you prefer to use your own device, the CLE features standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Both work wirelessly, and there are a handful of USB-C ports for charging and connection. There's a wireless charging pad in front of the cupholders, too.
The CLE is available with a wide array of driver aids, including standard features like an automated parking system, a surround-view camera and blind-spot warning. Our test vehicle was equipped with a few other options, including adaptive cruise control. Everything worked well in practice, with no false readings or phantom jabs of the brake.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The CLE is a bit longer than rivals like the BMW 4 Series or Lexus RC, but that affords the Mercedes slightly more trunk space. While the cargo area isn't as spacious as what you'll find on a similarly sized sedan, it's large enough to fit a sizable load of groceries or a week's worth of luggage for two. The rear seat folds down for additional storage, too. Storage up front isn't quite as good. The door pockets are long but shallow, and the cupholders are deep and tightly spaced. It can be a pinch to get a drink out if both cupholders are in use.
The rear seat offers Isofix anchors for a child's seat, though the sleek roofline and limited rear space make getting larger seats in difficult or even impossible. You could get a smaller seat inside in a pinch, but there's not much space to work with.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? The base four-cylinder CLE 300 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg (24 city/34 highway). Our six-cylinder CLE 450 test vehicle has a slightly lower rating with a 26 mpg combined estimated (23 city/33 highway). We saw a solid 27.4 mpg on Edmunds' testing route. Those figures aren't quite class-leading, but they're near the top of the segment and fairly good considering the CLE's performance.
Value
7.5/10
Is the CLE a good value? With a base price that's pushing $60,000, the CLE is one of the more expensive cars in its class. A no-option CLE 300 starts thousands of dollars above cars like an equivalent BMW 4 Series or Lexus RC. Our well-equipped CLE 450 test car came in at a cool $77,090. The CLE's list of standard features is generally better than what you'll find elsewhere, especially when you consider things like standard all-wheel drive. We think the interior feels a bit more premium in the Mercedes, too, with nicer materials for the trim and upholstery than in the competition. Still, there are cheaper ways to get into a luxury coupe.
Mercedes' four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties are average for the class. The CLE also comes with four years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance, but we're surprised by the lack of any included service visits, a common feature in this class.
Wildcard
8.5/10
The CLE stands out merely by being a coupe in an age where proper two-doors are becoming few and far between. It's handsome and distinctly Mercedes, with clean lines and sharp details. Unlike cars like the divisive BMW 4 Series, the CLE is unlikely to offend, even if it isn't the most standout in a crowd. The interior offers much more personality than the exterior suggests, especially with details like the standard 64-color ambient interior lighting.
This isn't the sportiest coupe out there, but not it's not trying to be. It's plenty quick and handles well enough, but this is a car that aims to be comfortable, quiet and cool. There it exceeds.
Which CLE does Edmunds recommend?
We'll admit that the more powerful CLE 450 is the better-driving car, but its considerably higher asking price adds significant power yet includes no additional features. We think the CLE 300 is the smarter buy if you can do without the additional power.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 CLE both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the CLE has 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz CLE. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE:
New CLE coupe and convertible replace the C-Class and E-Class equivalents
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz CLE is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the CLE. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the CLE's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 CLE and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 CLE is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE?
The least-expensive 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE AMG CLE 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $72,800.
Other versions include:
AMG CLE 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $72,800
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz CLE?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz CLE, the next question is, which CLE model is right for you? CLE variants include AMG CLE 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). For a full list of CLE models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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