If you have never heard of the Mercedes-Benz CLE-class, don’t feel bad. Most have not.
Introduced last year, the CLE is a two-door coupe that replaced both the C-Class and E-
Class coupe and convertible models that are no longer offered. Think of it as kind of a
reincarnation of the popular CLK back in 1996 through 2009. Now, for 2025, Mercedes-
Benz is offering the CLE as a convertible, or as they like to call it, a Cabriolet. Recently,
Mercedes-Benz sent me a CLE Cabriolet, and not just any CLE, but one spiced up by
AMG, the brandís internal high-performance division.
Listed as a mid-size car, the CLE looks more compact than it actually is. With its German
styling, the car’s front three-quarter appears quite short muscular, and ready to pounce at
any moment. Overall, it looks great, is comfortable, and sports some nice performance
driving dynamics and impressive tech features.
The CLE, both the coupe and convertible are offered with three different engines. The
CLE300 uses a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower), while the
CLE450 gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder (375 horsepower). Transforming
the mild-mannered CLE into the muscle-bound AMG CLE53 is basically the same
turbocharged engine in the CLE450, but with an electric supercharger added on, to
increase power to 443 horses. All engines are assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system
and are backed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. Likewise, all-wheel drive is
standard on every CLE.
Inside, the cabin is outfitted in high-end materials and is home to competitive technology.
The cabin is spacious, with plenty of space in all directions for front passengers. The
back seats? Well, this is a coupe, they are best left for small children.
The CLE’s dash layout and design is traditional Mercedes-Benz: well-appointed, well put
together, but also understated and functional. The oval air vents remain a pleasing touch,
and so is the carbon fiber trim that spans across the dashboard. The steering wheel is
thick and on the small size, making it feel perfect in the driver’s hands. One thing to note:
Mercedes-Benz relies a lot on touch-sensitive controls, both on the steering wheel and
throughout the dash. If you like this type of technology, it is great, but I have been
finding them too easy to accidentally activate.
As expected from a car with the letters “AMG” attached to it, the AMG CLE53 is
amazingly quick. Sprints to 60 mph take about 4 seconds. But what is really interesting is
how itís done – the electric supercharger and mild hybrid system fill in the low end and
power delivered to all four wheels simply sling shots the AMG CLE53 forward. Adding
to the thrilling experience is the way the CLE53 sounds – it burbles, pops and rumbles its
way to the redline. Now I’m not sure how much of this audible experience is orchestrated
by pumped-in audio or by the internal combustion engine under the hood, but either way,
it sounds amazing.
On top of the well-done interior and impressive driving performance, the CLE53 is also a
convertible. With the top up, little wind or road noise enters the cabin, making it easy to
forget you’re in a convertible. But drop the top, and the latest technology from Mercedes-
Benz takes over to ensure you remain comfortable. The Aircap is a system of spoilers that
routes air over the top of the car, allowing you to talk and listen at normal levels. And just
when you think itís too cold for top-down driving, the Airscarf will blow warm air onto
your neck to keep you cozy.
Pricing for the CLE is, as expected, up there. The CLE300, in coupe form, starts at
$59,150 while the convertible starts at $67,700. Going all out for the AMG CLE53, the
coupe starts at $75,450 and the convertible at $83,850. The tester carried a price tag of
$90,370.
How does one not like the AMG CLE53? Dressed as either a coupe or convertible, the
CLE53 crisscrosses the lines between sport, luxury, class, and fun by offering a car that
excels in all those categories. And I should emphasize the fun, because in today’s market,
most vehicles, as good as they are, tend to lack the fun factor. Thankfully, Mercedes-
Benz has not forgotten how to build a fun car.
– Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet
Base Price: $82,600.00
Price as Tested: $90,370.00
Layout: front-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 3.0 turbocharged inline 6-cylinder
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Horsepower: 443 hp
Torque: 413 lb-ft
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway[Visit me at www.carsbycar.blogspot.com or email me at auto_cran@hotmail.com]
