2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE AMG CLE 53

Price Range: $76,300 - $84,600

Keith Buglewicz | Edmunds

Excellent

While the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE faces only one direct competitor, don't assume that's the reason we think its one of the best luxury two-door coupes money can buy. With plenty of power, an elegant and comfortable interior, and top-notch tech, the CLE is easily worth the premium it commands.Read full review

9 Owner Reviews

23 mpg

Combined MPG

1 Offer Near Ashburn, VA

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$74,393

22 for sale near you

Prices based on sales in VA thru 4/6/26

Final assembly in Germany

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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

CLE 450 is now available with an adaptive damping suspension
Rear-wheel steering available for the CLE 450 Coupe
Surround-view camera offered as a stand-alone option
Part of the first CLE generation introduced for 2024

Mercedes-Benz CLE Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Christian Wardlaw

4/8/2026

The Mercedes-Benz CLE is what you get when you blend elements of the C-Class and E-Class four-door sedans with two-door coupe and convertible body styles. Longer than a C-Class, shorter than an E-Class, and lower in height than either of the sedans, the CLE represents the styling statement of this trio. It is available in three flavors, and the faster you want to go, the more money you'll spend. No matter which Mercedes CLE you buy, rest assured you'll enjoy good looks, luxurious comfort and impressive tech features.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts

Excellent

8.0

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

8.4/10

How does the Mercedes-Benz CLE drive? Our CLE 450 4Matic test vehicle sprinted to 60 mph in a brisk 4.5 seconds. 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.

The CLE soaks up bumps with ease, sending very few vibrations through the cabin, even on rougher roads. The CLE 450 models come standard with a sport suspension setup (optional on the CLE 300), and it's fairly comfortable while resisting excessive body roll in turns. The CLE's standard all-wheel drive means traction is never an issue. Steering feel is a bit lacking, but light effort and quick responses make the CLE easy to park.

The tall beltline and long hood hurt outward visibility, but an available surround-view camera system offers high-res images that make parking much easier.

The CLE is available with a wide array of driver aids, including standard features like an automated parking system, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. Our test vehicle was equipped with a few other options, including adaptive cruise control. Everything worked well, with no false readings or phantom jabs of the brake.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Mercedes-Benz CLE? Our car's comfortable optional seats offer tons of adjustment for lumbar, bolstering and more. It might take a second to dial in a position, but few people will have trouble finding a good setting.

Most of the controls are easy to see and reach. 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.

The touchscreen houses controls for the climate system. Their 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. Very little wind or road noise intrudes into the cabin.

The CLE is fairly easy to get in and out of for a coupe, though the long doors can make maneuvering difficult in tight spaces. The front offers plenty of room for passengers of every size, while the rear is tight for adults but offers more space than rivals.

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, while smaller seats may fit in a pinch.

In-cabin tech

9/10

How’s the tech? The learning curve can be steep, but Mercedes' infotainment and technology are among 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.

Storage & cargo

7.9/10

How’s storage and cargo? The CLE is a bit longer than the BMW 4 Series, but that affords the Mercedes slightly more trunk space. While the cargo area isn't as spacious as what you'll find in a similarly sized sedan, it's large enough to fit a sizable load of groceries or a week's worth of luggage for two. Additionally, the rear seat folds down for additional capacity and utility. Interior storage space isn't very good. The door pockets are long but shallow, and the cupholders are deep and tightly spaced. It can be difficult to get a drink out if both cupholders are in use.

Value

7.3/10

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE a good value? With a base price around $60,000, a no-option CLE 300 starts thousands of dollars above an equivalent BMW 4 Series. Our well-equipped CLE 450 test car came in at a cool $77,090. The CLE's list of standard features is better than what you'll find elsewhere, especially when you consider standard all-wheel drive. We think the interior feels more premium in the Mercedes too. Still, the BMW is the cheaper way 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, which the BMW offers.

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The base four-cylinder CLE 300 has EPA fuel economy estimate of 27 mpg combined. Our six-cylinder CLE 450 test vehicle has a slightly lower figure of 26 mpg combined. We saw a solid 27.4 mpg on Edmunds' testing route. While those figures are fairly good considering the CLE's performance, the BMW 4 Series is more fuel-efficient than this Mercedes.

X factor

9/10

The CLE stands out merely by being a coupe in an age where proper luxury two-doors are nearly extinct. It's handsome and distinctly Mercedes, with clean lines and sharp details. Unlike the divisive BMW 4 Series, the CLE is unlikely to offend, even if it doesn't stand out as much 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 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 excels.

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2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE AMG CLE 53 pricing in Ashburn, VA

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$59,550
Starting MSRP
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe
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Buying Tips for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE for April

Here are some tips for buying a 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE:

Buyers are currently paying about 4.6% less than the MSRP for the CLE, saving roughly $3,072 across the model range.
The CLE 300 4MATIC offers the best savings at around 6% below MSRP, which is about $3,598 off. This could be your best value option.
There's a good inventory for the CLE, with around 1,464 new vehicles for the CLE 300 4MATIC, giving you more room to negotiate.
The median special APR is 5.99% for terms up to 60 months, which is about 1.3% lower than the market rate, saving you more on interest.
Used CLE models start at approximately $56,753, with 114 available nationally. They tend to sell quickly, taking around 21 days on the lot.

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2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE trim level differences

Coupe and convertible body styles are available for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE. The car's three engine options correspond to the model designations: CLE 300, CLE 450 and AMG CLE 53. Compare the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE trim levels in-depth.

Which CLE trim does Edmunds recommend?

For the best blend of luxury and performance, the CLE 450 is a good choice. But it's also significantly more expensive than the base model, and we think most people shopping for this vehicle will find the CLE 300 provides all of the performance and luxury they seek. With the savings, upgrade to the Pinnacle Trim and Driver Assistance packages to add all of the available tech to the car.

Competitors to consider

BMW offers the only alternative to the Mercedes-Benz CLE. It's called the 4 Series, and it's available in coupe and convertible body styles with a trio of powertrain options ranging from mild to wild. Additionally, the 4 Series comes in a four-door hatchback configuration called the Gran Coupe. If you're open to that idea, the Audi A5 and S5 may also be worth considering as alternatives to the Mercedes CLE. But unlike years past, the Audis are no longer available in coupe or convertible body styles.

Edmunds spotlight: How to choose the right CLE

Mercedes offers the CLE in three model designations. The CLE 300 offers the lowest price, the least power, and a comfort-tuned suspension for traditional luxury-car ride quality. You can dress it up with nice wheels, fancy paint, premium interior materials, and extra tech to match your preferences. The same is true of the CLE 450, which features a more powerful, refined engine and a sportier appearance. For premium coupe or convertible shoppers seeking maximum performance, the AMG 53 CLE is the ride for you. In addition to another leap in engine output, it offers access to track-ready handling dynamics and equipment upgrades not available on other CLEs. Be sure to read our Expert Rating of the CLE to help determine which one is right for you.

Mercedes-Benz CLE Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

9 reviews

5(67%)

4(0%)

3(22%)

2(0%)

1(11%)

Owners Say

The overall customer sentiment for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE is mixed. Owners love its good looks, advanced tech, and smooth drivability. However, many are unhappy with the uncomfortable seats and some unusual AC sensor issues in the convertible model. While some owners are glad about leasing it for the luxury and style, others have traded theirs due to discomfort.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

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2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE Features & Specs

Type:

AMG CLE 53

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$76,300
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$256/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	9.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Reliability

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 6 years / 62,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

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At a Glance:

$59,550starting MSRP

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Safety

Key safety features on the CLE include:

Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

Research other CLE years

2026
2025
2024

FAQ

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 CLE both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.0 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the CLE ranges from 9.6 to 9.8 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 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE:

CLE 450 is now available with an adaptive damping suspension
Rear-wheel steering available for the CLE 450 Coupe
Surround-view camera offered as a stand-alone option
Part of the first CLE generation introduced for 2024

Learn more

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE reliable?

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 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 CLE and gave it a 8.0 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 CLE is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE?

The least-expensive 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE is the 2026 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 $76,300.

Other versions include:

AMG CLE 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $76,300
AMG CLE 53 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $84,600