Mercedes-Benz CLE Review 2024

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Mercedes CLE Coupe, a luxury replacement for both the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe, set to open for ordering later this year.

As the largest two-door coupe in the mid-size segment, measuring over 4.8 meters in length, the CLE Coupe boasts more size and elegance than its key rivals, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and the Audi A5 Coupe.

Powering the CLE Coupe will be a selection of four-cylinder mild hybrid petrol and diesel engines, along with a six-cylinder mild hybrid petrol variant. This model is expected to be one of the last new Mercedes-Benz cars featuring internal combustion engines before the brand transitions to full electrification. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid version is scheduled to arrive later, offering even greater environmental credentials.

In today's market, two-door coupes are a rarity, making the CLE Coupe a unique offering for those seeking luxury and performance. The Mercedes-Benz lineup will also see the introduction of the CLE Cabriolet later in 2024, further expanding the options for enthusiasts.

The CLE Coupe is set to open for ordering later in 2023, with deliveries expected to start early in 2024. Though precise pricing is yet to be confirmed, it is estimated to start from around £50,000, positioning it above the previous C-Class Coupe but more competitively priced compared to the previous E-Class Coupe.

Styling-wise, the CLE Coupe boasts an athletic and dynamic appearance, featuring a bold character line along its sides. The front end has a distinctive "shark nose" design, incorporating slim LED headlights and a radiator grille that aligns with the aesthetics of other modern Mercedes-Benz models. The coupe's classic proportions are further accentuated by large wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches and ten different exterior color options, including satin finishes.

Inside, the CLE Coupe shares its high-tech design with the regular C-Class saloon. The centrepiece is an 11.9-inch portrait-format centre display, tilted six degrees towards the driver, complemented by a 12.3-inch freestanding fully digital instrument display. Equipped with 5G functionality, the CLE Coupe's infotainment system supports third-party apps through an Android-based compatibility layer, including popular choices like TikTok, Vivaldi web browser, and Angry Birds.

The cabin also features a 64-color ambient lighting array, with an optional Ambient Lighting Plus that adds a light band sweeping from the centre console to the air vents, creating a captivating ambiance. The "Hey Mercedes" voice assistant comes as standard, making the driving experience more intuitive.

The seats of the CLE Coupe are designed for both comfort and aesthetics, featuring a minimalist appearance. The multi-contour design includes an easy-entry function, replacing the traditional plastic lever with a premium Nappa leather loop. The CLE Coupe also comes with seatbelt feeders, enhancing passenger convenience and safety.

With a length of 4850mm, width of 1860mm, and height of 1428mm, the CLE Coupe surpasses both the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe in overall dimensions. This translates to a longer wheelbase, resulting in 10mm more headroom, 19mm more shoulder room, and 72mm more knee room for rear seat passengers.

For cargo capacity, the CLE Coupe provides a 420-litre boot, a significant increase of 60 litres compared to its predecessor, enabling the easy accommodation of three golf bags.

The CLE Coupe engine lineup includes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo mild hybrid motor producing 204PS in the CLE 200 variant and 258PS in the CLE 300 variant. Both models are available in either rear-wheel or 4Matic all-wheel drive, and the CLE 300 4Matic achieves a 0-62mph acceleration time of 6.2 seconds.

Fuel efficiency is further enhanced by the 48V mild hybrid system, contributing to an average of up to 44.1mpg and CO2 emissions starting from 145g/km.

For those seeking more power, the CLE 450 4Matic offers a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, generating 381PS and achieving 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds, while still delivering an average of up to 36.2mpg with CO2 emissions starting from 176g/km.

The sole diesel option is the C 220 d, equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 200PS, offering a great balance between performance and efficiency. The C 220 d averages up to 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions from just 123g/km.