The life cycle of Mercedes-Benz coupes and cabrios has seen a curious evolution over the years. Way back in 1996 the company introduced a new model called the CLK that replaced the previous W124 and A124 E-Class coupe and cabriolet. But while it may have looked like an E-Class, it actually sat on W203 C-Class underpinnings.
Click here to read our full review of the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 coupe.
Mercedes then set about making it even more confusing by making the CLK officially an E-Class in 2009, even though it still used the platform from the W204 C-Class.
At the same time as this the fairly horrid CLC-Class that had spawned from the “Sport Coupe” C-Class hatch (which was a desperate cut-and-shut panic response to the slightly less horrid BMW 3 Series Compact) was left to deservedly wither and die, with a C-Class coupe replacing it. Yep, that would be the W204 C-Class from above.
Eventually the E-Class coupe/cabrio would actually become an E-Class again with the introduction of the W123 in 2016, while the C-Class would continue offering coupe and cabrio versions of the W205 introduced in 2014.
Got that? Good, but don’t relax yet, because now Mercedes has launched the CLE, a coupe and cabriolet designed to replace both the C and E-Class versions and, thankfully, simplify the whole messy mid-size Mercedes coupe situation and also offer up something that the direct competition don't: a large four-seat convertible. BMW doesn't offer anything similar here, while Audi just doesn't do anything like it at all.
The CLE is roughly the same size as the old E-Class coupe/cabrio, which makes it only slightly larger than the old C-Class coupe/cabrio that had grown considerably over the years. The coupe launched first, in 2023, while the cabrio was a year later, landing here earlier this year. A hot AMG 53 model has now also joined it.
The CLE 300 4matic cabriolet you see here is powered by Mercedes’ 190kW M254 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with help from a 48-volt mild hybrid system, sending power to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The CLE 300 cabrio doesn't do anything mind-bowing in the segment, but it still perfectly defines it.
This is… perfectly adequate. Particularly for what the CLE is - it knocks off the 0 to 100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds, which is quite frankly more than quick enough for a luxurious four-seater convertible, and it even manages to sound quite snarly while doing it. So that’s a nice bonus.
But what the CLE is really all about is cruising with the top down in luxurious comfort. Which is something it does very well indeed.
Something that Mercedes has always done very well is making a convertible that you genuinely can enjoy with the top down on a cold day (or night, which is the best way to enjoy one!), and the CLE is no exception to that rule.
Mercedes’ clever “Airscarf” - basically a vent in the front seat headrests that blows warm air down the back your neck - is standard, as is a new version of the “Aircap” system that is essentially the final boss form of a wind deflector that pops up from above the windscreen and is extremely effective at redirecting the airflow over the cabin rather than into it.
While it is extremely effective, it does also make your expensive Mercedes look like the top of the windscreen has come away, thanks to its elaborate deployment and tall stance. Still, it’s a small price to pay for cosy and comfortable topless motoring on a cold day, plus it also ensures that your hair remains firmly unmolested by wind with the top down.
With the top up, the CLE cabrio could be mistaken for the coupe from inside the cabin, as the top is impressively soundproofed, making the top-up experience as luxurious as your would expect from a Benz. Likewise ride and handling are very much in line with the coupe, with the same firmly controlled chassis and AWD confidence.
All of this presents in a package that is everything you would expect a big Mercedes-Benz cabrio to be: comfortable, luxurious and superbly composed, without any surprises, bad or good. No, it doesn't do anything mind-bowing in the segment, but it still perfectly defines it. Which is handy, because it's the only one in it right now.
