Even relationship again to the model’s early days, Mercedes-Benz has been recognized for its luxurious, glossy 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 a number of 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 your automobile is a rolling therapeutic massage parlor slash music venue that may do among the driving itself, however in the event you’re searching for 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 fuel at my condominium for me to maintain for a number of days and overview. I drove it throughout Los Angeles, and obtained showered with compliments by mates and neighbors. There’s simply one thing a few brand-new Benz that makes of us assume you’ve made it. Thanks for letting me appear to be I’ve my shit collectively for a number of days, Mercedes.
The CLE seems to be nice; lengthy, extensive and low like an excellent coupe needs to be. It has the all-important frameless home windows (although, not like the outdated E-Class, it’s not a pillarless coupe), however I couldn’t assist however really feel that it may simply as simply have an Infiniti badge on the nostril. Now, is {that a} learn for Mercedes or a praise to Infiniti? Positively extra of the latter — the Q60 is a visually putting coupe, however I’d hope {that a} Mercedes could be extra simply recognized as such with out looking for 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 sufficiently big 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 mild 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 steel weave inside trim, which has all the time regarded cheesy to me, however even worse, all the things beneath the door handles is tough, scratchy plastic. Hoping to search out felt or leather-based or rubber contained in the door pockets? Not right here, and regardless of trying massive, the door pockets aren’t ergonomically formed to carry issues like massive water bottles. Properly, the glove field must be leather-covered, proper? Improper, it’s additionally laborious plastic. It is a base mannequin automobile, however with almost $14,000 in choices added on, its complete 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 based mostly 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, however it has plenty 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 based mostly in your persuasion as a result of I all the time envision coupe patrons to desire a sportier driving expertise than a sedan, however the CLE felt more proficient at cruising than canyon carving.
When issues obtained twisty, the CLE obtained 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 disillusioned 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 below the hood. You may induce some lift-off oversteer if the nook camber is true, however in corners that make me smile in different automobiles, the CLE left me uninspired. I’m positive extra energy and higher tires would assist, however with the bottom powertrain at the very least, the CLE feels massive and heavy, not quick and enjoyable.
As a cruiser, the CLE is extra profitable. The seats are frustratingly snug; I don’t have a foul factor to say about them apart from their $3,020 complete value together with the price of the upgraded materials, multi-adjustability, therapeutic massage and air flow. Pretty thrones, these. The CLE’s journey on customary passive dampers consists more often than not, however over damaged pavement, it feels busy, just like the wheels are doing lots of bouncing and scrambling with the occasional sharp bump. The physique construction felt strong, and the usual sunroof was a pleasant contact regardless of consuming into the already minimal headroom.
A pleasant stereo is often 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 folks will doubtless 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 outdated C-Class and most of the price of the outdated E-Class. In case your new automobile guidelines prioritizes fashion and tech, and you’ll afford the steep value, then I say go for it. The convertible prime or the upgraded engines are prone to make the CLE a extra compelling package deal, however with the bottom powertrain, it’s a blended bag. I’d personally save about $10,000 and go together with a C-Class, but when your coronary heart yearns for an enormous glossy Mercedes-Benz coupé, and your checking account is fats sufficient, the CLE is the automobile for you.
