MERCEDES-BENZ CLE COUPE CLE 53 4Matic+ AMG Premium 2dr 9G-Tronic

Mercedes rationalises its mid-sized coupe offering into this car, the CLE Coupe. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Much is familiar about the Mercedes CLE Coupe - but much is also new, as the brand repositions its offering in the mid-sized premium coupe segment. There's a desirability factor here that lifts this car clear of its obvious rivals. And a 'want one' factor that goes beyond the Mercedes badge on the bonnet.

Background

We've been here before. Back in 1997, Mercedes took the decision to replace its E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet with a single model, the CLK, primarily based on C-Class underpinnings. Just over a quarter of a century on, history has repeated itself but the replacement model this time round, this CLE, supersedes not only an E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet line-up (re-introduced in 2012) but also the C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet range we first saw in 2011. Mercedes says that it decided to rationalise four models into two going forward based on research that saw C-Class Coupe customers wanting a larger, more prestigious car and E-Class Coupe owners wanting something more sporting. Meeting those needs but continuing on the path of having a pair of mid-size coupe models would, the brand says, have created two cars very similar to each other. There is certainly some truth in that, but the real reason for the product rationalisation here is that Mercedes needs to slim down its sprawling combustion range to make room for more EQ electric models. As its name suggests, the CLE uses C and E-Class mechanicals and will be one of the last combustion designs company ever launches.

Driving Experience

Expect the CLE Coupe driving experience to be a little sportier than previous mid-sized Mercedes coupes. The stiff MRA platform borrowed from more conventional C and E-Class models helps here. As does track width increased by 40mm at the front and 70mm at the rear. And a ride height dropped by 15mm over a C-Class saloon, which lowers the centre of gravity. All models feature DYNAMIC SELECT with a choice of drive modes and AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension. You'll want to know about engines. As with this model's predecessors, the core part of the range is made up of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel turbo units, though in the CLE they gain EQ Power 48V mild hybrid assistance. The 197hp CLE 220d diesel and the 204hp CLE 200 petrol both take around 7.5s to reach 62mph, the latter model's engine tuned up to 258hp in the C300 4MATIC petrol, which improves the sprint figure to 6.2s. There's also a PHEV version, the CLE 300 e we tried. This uses a four cylinder 2.0-litre petrol turbo M254 engine with 204hp paired with a permanent magnet synchronous motor contributing 150hp. That motor is energised by a 25.4kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery that can power the car for up to 69 miles before fossil fuel kicks in. The drive system is paired with the brand's usual 9G-TRONIC Plus 9-speed automatic gearbox. And total output is 309hp. Top of the mainstream range is the CLE 450 4MATIC, which uses a straight six 3.0-litre petrol powerplant with 381hp, which makes 62mph in 4.4s. If that's not fast enough, then you can also talk to your dealer about the Mercedes-AMG 53 4MATIC+ version, which uprates the CLE 450 model's straight six to 449hp. Beyond that is a top Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 4MATIC+ model with a twin turbo 4.0-litre V8.

Design and Build

We're looking at the CLE Coupe here but there's also a Cabriolet model. At 4,850mm in length, both are longer than the C-Class and E-Class models they replace and, perhaps more significantly, longer than rival BMW 4 Series equivalents too. From a glance at the design stats, you might think the CLE has more in common with a C than an E. Its 2,865mm-long wheelbase, for instance, is identical to that of a C-Class saloon. But much is different too, the CLE not only measuring 99mm longer but sitting 10mm lower. And of course the look is very different, with a heavily curved roof leading to curving C-pillar treatment, a steeply-raked rear window and a sloping boot lid. The long bonnet gains subtle bulges, there's a prominent grille flanked by 'shark nose' LED headlights and the wheel sizes are between 18 and 20-inches depending on spec. Inside, as with the current C and E-Class cabins, there's a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and an 11.9-inch driver's display viewed through a 3-spoke wheel. The seats are bespoke with integrated headrests and are lower-set than a C or E-Class saloon, giving a sportier feel. The centre screen runs the latest version of the brand's MBUX media system. As for rear seat space, well it's not as good as the old E-Class Coupe (because of 8mm less wheelbase length) but it's better than the cramped quarters of the old C-Class Coupe, with 72mm more knee room. It's a similar story with boot space, the 420-litre figure (enough for three sets of golf clubs) being 5-litres less than the old E-Class Coupe, but 60-litres more than the previous C-Class coupe. For reference, a rival BMW 4 Series Coupe gives you 440-litres.

Market and Model

At the time of our test in Spring 2025, pricing for this CLE Coupe was starting at just above the £46,000 mark - about £1,000 more than an equivalent BMW 4 Series Coupe. You'd need around £6,500 more for the equivalent CLE Cabriolet. With both body shapes, the diesel version (likely to make up just 5% of sales) costs around £2,500 more than the base CLE 200 petrol variant. This 300 e PHEV model (which can't be had in Cabriolet form) was priced from around £60,000 as we filmed. For mainstream CLE models in the UK market, Mercedes concentrates on various flavours of 'AMG Line' trim ('AMG Line', 'AMG Line Premium' and this 'AMG Line Premium Plus' version, before you get to top 'Premier Edition' spec). Obviously, you'll need much more for one of the high performance Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupe or Cabriolet models. The 53 4MATIC+ variant is the most accessible of these, offered as we filmed from around £73,000 and available with either 'AMG Premium' or 'AMG Night Edition Premium Plus' trim. All CLEs come with LED High Performance Headlights, heat-insulating dark tinted glass, power-folding mirrors, DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes and an alarm. While inside, there's black leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, THERMATIC automatic climate control, heated front seats with lumbar support and belt-feeders, powered adjustment for the front seats and steering column with memory settings, a reversing camera and a wireless charging mat. Media stuff is dealt with by an 11.9-inch portrait MBUX infotainment screen with hard disc navigation and a 5G Communications Module, plus 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'.

Cost of Ownership

Mercedes claims a combined cycle mpg figure of 44.1mpg for the CLE 200 and up to 145g/km of CO2; it's 39.8mpg and 161g/km if you order the CLE 300 4MATIC four-wheel-drive version. Go for the CLE 220d diesel and you're looking at 60.1mpg on the combined cycle and 123g/km. The mild hybrid 'EQ Boost' system fitted to these engines works as mild hybrid set-ups usually do, using a belt-driven starter/generator running off a 48-volt electrical system. The electrical element is certainly seamlessly integrated, cutting in and shutting down the engine completely at cruising speeds, which will often see you burning absolutely no fuel at all. Plus the 'EQ Boost' technology allows for a greater level of kinetic energy regeneration, something you can monitor as you drive via an EQ Boost 'Power'/'Charge' meter in the instrument cluster. To do better, you'll need the CLE 300 e petrol Plug-in Hybrid, which is rated at 470.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 13g/km of CO2 (so an 8% BiK tax rate), with up to 69 miles of EV range. If you're not really bothered about efficiency, then we'll tell you that the CLE 450 4MATIC manages up to 36.7mpg and up to 174g/km. And the AMG 53 model manages only 29.4mpg and 217g/km. Service intervals for the CLE will depend on how far you drive and under what conditions - but Mercedes does offer 'ServiceCare', which allows you to spread your bills into manageable payments, guarantees the price of parts and labour for up to four services, and covers the cost of recommended service items such as brake fluid, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters and screen wash. Another thing we'll need to tell you is that the comprehensive three year unlimited mileage warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer.

Summary

This is exactly the kind of car Mercedes should be making in this segment. Yes, there's more 'C' than 'E' in the CLE, but that doesn't stop it from feeling a slightly more elegant and up-market choice than its BMW 4 Series arch-rival. And with the changes made to platform and drive dynamics, it's now slightly easier to choose the Mercedes brand over that Munich model. Which is just as well given the substantial amount you're likely to have to pay for one of these. Is it worth it? Well you'll have to be sold on the looks and the cabin screen-fest, but if you are, the CLE represents a very aspirational choice in this segment. It's probably the last in a line of combustion-powered Mercedes coupes dating back nearly a century. And for this particular Mercedes genre, it's a worthy sign-off.

Body Glass

Electric windows

Variable front intermittent wipers

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Heat insulating dark tinted glass

Brakes

Hill start assist

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electric parking brake

Active braking assist

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Adaptive brake system with hold function and brake drying function

Braking system with larger brake discs on the front axle

Carpets/Rugs

AMG floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

AMG Ride Control suspension with adjustable damping

Communication

Hey Mercedes Voice activation

eCall emergency call system

Bluetooth connection

Wireless charging system for mobile devices in the front

5G Communications module

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Blind spot assist

Attention assist

Rear axle steering

Active lane keeping assist

Remote services

Evasive manoeuvre support

SPEEDTRONIC cruise control with variable speed limiter

Driver Convenience

Car wash mode

Fluorescent jacket for driver

Boot lid convenience closing via button on boot lid

Passive person presence reminder

Driver Information

Speed limit assist

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto

Hard-disk navigation

Traffic sign assist

MBUX augmented reality for navigation

MBUX navigation premium

Fingerprint scanner

Fully digital 12.3" driver display screen

High-resolution 11.9" multimedia colour display

Service indicator assist

Embellishment Trims

Anthracite linestructure lime wood trim with mixed fabric look metal finish centre console

ARTICO leather in dashboard with contrast stitching

Engine

66 litre fuel tank

Petrol Particulate Filter (PPF)

Integrated starter generator Gen 2

Entertainment

Digital radio

MBUX multimedia system

MBUX extended functions

Exterior Body Features

Flared wheel arches

AMG bodystyling

Panoramic sliding sunroof

Rear boot

AMG Real Performance Sound

Mercedes AMG exterior

AMG specific radiator grille with vertical struts in high gloss chrome and AMG logo

AMG fuel cap

Exterior Lights

Adaptive brake lights

LED tail lights

Auto headlights

LED 3rd brake light

LED Day time running light

LED digital light with adaptive highbeam assist plus

Ambient lighting with projection of brand logo

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

THERMATIC automatic climate control

Interior Features

Black fabric roof liner

Mercedes AMG interior

Instrument panel and beltlines in ARTICO manmade leather in nappa look

Steering - Sport direct-steer system with speed sensitive steering

AMG illuminated door sills with 'AMG' lettering and exchangeable cover

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting premium

Packs

Interior light pack - CLE

Keyless-Go comfort package - CLE

Mirror pack - CLE

Parking package with 360 degree camera - CLE

Stowage space package - CLE

USB package plus - CLE

Safety

Rear side airbags

Front side airbags

Dual front airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Active bonnet

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Drivers pelvis airbag

Automatic front passenger airbag deactivation

Childproof locks manually operated for rear doors and electrically operated for rear power windows

ISOFIX child seat attachment points with top tether in rear

Driver knee airbag

Pedestrian protection

Centre airbag

First aid kit and warning triangle

Pre Safe system

Seat occupancy sensor for rear seats

Driver window airbag

Seats

Front headrests

2 rear head restraints

2 individual rear seats

Belt feeder

Automatic child seat recognition sensor

4 way lumbar support

Single front passenger seat

Folding rear seat backrests

Security

Central locking with interior switch, automatic locking and crash sensor with emergency opening function

Dashcam

Increased anti-theft protection

URBAN GUARD vehicle protection (Thatcham Category 1) consisting of break-in, anti-theft alarm system (ATA),interior monitoring and tow-away protection

Interior monitoring system

Guard 360 degree vehicle protection plus

Transmission

9G TRONIC plus automatic transmission

Wheels - Alloy

20" AMG Y spoke light alloy wheels painted in matt black and with high-sheen finish

Wheels - Spare

Tirefit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 212

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 70

CO: 0.179

HC: 0.011

NOx: 0.013

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0001

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders: 6

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Gears: 9 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 83

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

CC: 2999

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.4

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Low: 18.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 29.7

WLTP - MPG - High: 35.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 34.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 15.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 9.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 7.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.2

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 9.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 30.4

General

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 44E

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Service Interval Mileage: 12000

Badge Power: 449

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Coin Series: AMG Premium

Coin Description: 4Matic+

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 30

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 57.1

Top Speed: 155

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.2

Engine Power - KW: 330

Engine Power - RPM: 5800

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 449

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 413

Engine Torque - NM: 560

Engine Torque - RPM: 2200

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 265/35 R20

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: AMG Y SPOKE

Tyre Size Rear: 295/30 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2875

Width (including mirrors): 2042

Height: 1434

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1935

Length: 4873

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2420

Minimum Kerbweight: 2096

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 65

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 324

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 410

No. of Seats: 4

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.3

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Max. Roof Load: 100

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Manufaktur metallic paint

Manufaktur solid paint

Manufaktur magno paint

Interior Features

AMG Nappa leather upholstery

AMG two tone nappa leather upholstery

Packs

Pro performance pack - CLE

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Obsidian black

Metallic - Spectral blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Black

Paint - Special

Manufaktur metallic - Opalite white bright

Manufaktur magno - Graphite grey

Manufaktur metallic - Patagonia red

Manufaktur solid - Alpine grey

Manufaktur magno - Spectral Blue

Trim - Leather

AMG Leather - Black

AMG Nappa leather - Black

AMG two tone Nappa leather - Power red/black