Even relationship again to the model’s early days, Mercedes-Benz has been recognized for its luxurious, modern coupes, and the brand new CLE-Class is the most recent automobile to hitch the storied line of fascinating two-doors with three-pointed stars on the nostril. Whereas in years previous Mercedes-Benz positively spoiled the general public with the selection between quite a few four-seat coupes throughout the C, E, and S-Class lineups, the CLE takes the place of each the earlier C-Class and E-Class coupes, but is definitely barely bigger than each.
I had the pleasure of masquerading as a brand new Benz proprietor for just a few days with the entry-level CLE 300 mannequin, and it was a delight to be pampered by the sensible massaging seats and aided by Mercedes’ always-exceptional driver-assistance tech. Lengthy drives aren’t even the slightest bit intimidating when you recognize your automobile is a rolling therapeutic massage parlor slash music venue that may do a number of the driving itself, however in case you’re in search of a enjoyable and interesting drive, the CLE 300 will depart you wanting.
Full disclosure: Mercedes-Benz dropped off a 2024 CLE 300 4MATIC with a full tank of gasoline at my condominium for me to maintain for just a few days and evaluation. I drove it throughout Los Angeles, and bought showered with compliments by pals and neighbors. There’s simply one thing a couple of brand-new Benz that makes people suppose you’ve made it. Thanks for letting me appear to be I’ve my shit collectively for just a few days, Mercedes.
The CLE seems to be nice; lengthy, broad and low like a very good coupe ought to be. It has the all-important frameless home windows (although, in contrast to the previous E-Class, it’s not a pillarless coupe), however I couldn’t assist however really feel that it might simply as simply have an Infiniti badge on the nostril. Now, is {that a} learn for Mercedes or a praise to Infiniti? Undoubtedly extra of the latter — the Q60 is a visually hanging coupe, however I’d hope {that a} Mercedes can be extra simply recognized as such with out attempting to find the three-pointed star.
My tester had Energy Purple leather-based upholstery that made the seats look attractive. Past simply the look of the seats they’re all very snug, and even the rear seats are virtually large enough to suit normal-sized people in case your front-seat passengers aren’t as tall as me. The sprint seems to be good too, in alignment with the remainder of the brand new Mercedes-Benz lineup with a stunning ambient gentle array, an enormous vertical touchscreen, and sweeping easy traces.
When you get previous the inside’s dramatic look and begin feeling round, issues begin to go a bit bitter. My tester had the usual metallic weave inside trim, which has at all times regarded cheesy to me, however even worse, all the pieces under the door handles is difficult, scratchy plastic. Hoping to search out felt or leather-based or rubber contained in the door pockets? Not right here, and regardless of trying large, the door pockets aren’t ergonomically formed to carry issues like giant water bottles. Nicely, the glove field must be leather-covered, proper? Unsuitable, it’s additionally laborious plastic. This can be a base mannequin automobile, however with almost $14,000 in choices added on, its whole MSRP got here to $70,220 together with $1,150 vacation spot, so it shouldn’t have this many laborious plastic surfaces.
Driving the CLE was both nice or boring primarily based in your persuasion. The entry-level CLE 300 mannequin has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with mild-hybrid help that produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain was sufficient, nevertheless it has a number of lag down low within the rev vary regardless of the mild-hybrid system, so it by no means feels peppy. It’s, nevertheless, silent at idle, and engine sound is negligible till you dig deep into the throttle pedal when it begins sounding a contact uncivilized. I say it’s both nice or boring primarily based in your persuasion as a result of I at all times envision coupe consumers to need a sportier driving expertise than a sedan, however the CLE felt more proficient at cruising than canyon carving.
When issues bought twisty, the CLE bought plow-ey, a lot to my chagrin. This CLE 300 was on all-season tires, although, which do no favors for road-holding, however I used to be nonetheless upset with the automobile’s front-end response. The nostril simply felt heavy and lazy, by no means keen to show in or enjoyable regardless of having only a 2.0-liter four-cylinder beneath the hood. You may induce some lift-off oversteer if the nook camber is true, however in corners that make me smile in different vehicles, the CLE left me uninspired. I’m positive extra energy and higher tires would assist, however with the bottom powertrain not less than, the CLE feels large and heavy, not quick and enjoyable.
As a cruiser, the CLE is extra profitable. The seats are frustratingly snug; I don’t have a nasty factor to say about them other than their $3,020 whole value together with the price of the upgraded materials, multi-adjustability, therapeutic massage and air flow. Beautiful thrones, these. The CLE’s trip on customary passive dampers consists more often than not, however over damaged pavement, it feels busy, just like the wheels are doing plenty of bouncing and scrambling with the occasional sharp bump. The physique construction felt stable, and the usual sunroof was a pleasant contact regardless of consuming into the already minimal headroom.
A pleasant stereo is normally one thing Mercedes-Benz would make you pay a fairly penny to improve to, however the Burmester Encompass Sound System comes customary on the CLE and sounds impeccable, home windows up or down.
I used to be shocked by the surplus of legroom I had up entrance, too. I’m satisfied there are precise acres price of legroom, but in a large oversight, merely not sufficient headroom. I’m 6-foot-8-inches tall with a 40-inch inseam so I’m all legs, however my head nonetheless hit the ceiling even with the seat in its lowest place. Why give a automobile a lot legroom and so little headroom? Most tall people will possible ask the identical query.
So then, what’s the decision on the CLE? It’s an enormous coupé, inside and outside, however in condensing the C-Class coupé and the E-Class coupé into one mannequin, it brings the standard of the previous C-Class and most of the price of the previous E-Class. In case your new automobile guidelines prioritizes type and tech, and you may afford the steep value, then I say go for it. The convertible high or the upgraded engines are more likely to make the CLE a extra compelling package deal, however with the bottom powertrain, it’s a combined bag. I’d personally save about $10,000 and go together with a C-Class, but when your coronary heart yearns for an enormous modern Mercedes-Benz coupé, and your checking account is fats sufficient, the CLE is the automobile for you.
