Mercedes-Benz CLE 2024 Review

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 Coupe is $102,815 plus on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic Coupe is priced from $123,815 (plus ORCs).

These are significant rises compared to the old C-Class Coupe, which started at $79,200 for the C 200 and rose to $100,574 for the C 300.

However, it is cheaper than the expired E-Class Coupe despite being of a similar size. The E 200 was $112,969 and the E 350 $137,170.

The CLE also undercuts its most obvious competitor, the BMW 4 Series, on price. However it is more expensive than the Audi A5 Coupe, which is about to be retired.

There are actually very few direct competitors left for the CLE. You could add upper spec BMW 2 Series models into the mix if you like, or even the new Ford Mustang GT convertible.

More CLE variants are on the way including a cabriolet and AMG models. In fact the chat is the CLE 63 will revert to a V8 from the C 63 sedan’s four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE’s all-new exterior design includes a pronounced shark-nose, bonnet power domes, AMG Line air inlets with double fins, AMG front apron, side sill panels and rear apron, a black pack called the Night Package and 19-inch alloy wheels in black or silver (20s are a $1000 option).

The CLE Coupes also feature a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass from the B-pillar back, a power tailgate and five no-cost metallic paint options. Two further ‘MANUFAKTUR’ metallics ($1700) and a grey solid ($2900) are also offered.

Keyless access to the cabin reveals dual-zone automatic climate control, 64-clour ambient lighting and a multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel trimmed in Nappa leather. Brushed stainless steel sports pedals are part of the AMG Line interior package which is fitted as standard.

The front seats are powered, heated and include memory settings. Trimmings in the CLE 300 are real leather (there are four colour choices), while the 200 makes do with the artificial stuff (or pay $2900 for the upgrade).

There is no spare tyre in the boot although there is room for one under the floor. Instead the CLEs employ run-flats backed up by tyre pressure monitoring.

The CLE range comes protected by a five-year/unlimited km warranty. Service intervals are a long 25,000km or more orthodox 12 months, whichever comes first. Benz’s service plan will set you back $3325 for three visits to the workshop, $4535 for four and $6800 for five years.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe range doesn’t come with an ANCAP or EuroNCAP rating, but it does get 10 airbags and a family of driving assistance systems to help keep you safe.

They include active lane keeping assist, active brake assist, blind-spot assist, evasive manouevre assist, traffic sign assist, active cruise control, and the Pre-Safe accident anticipation and preparation system.

There are upgrades to cruise control including a stop-go function as part of a $4900 Plus package that also includes memory parking assist and active lane change assist as well as some comfort features.

In addition there’s a head up display to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road, digital headlights with adaptive high beam assist, a 360 degree camera, front and rear parking sensors.

There are dual ISOFIX and top tether hooks for the two rear seats.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE comes fitted with the third generation MBUX infotainment system that debuted in the latest E-Class sedan.

It incorporates the latest MBUX hard-disc Navigation Premium package with an augmented reality display that blends instructions with live images.

An 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen protrudes from the centre stack, while a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel sits in front of the driver and can be switched between five different menus.

The CLE comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, wireless smartphone charging, three USB-C outlets and digital radio played through a Burmester surround sound system.

The CLE’s MBUX Interior Assistant can (allegedly – didn’t test this one out) perform functions at the shake of your head and a wave of your hand. The CLE also has access to the Mercedes-Me smartphone app and a connected car services.

Both the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 and CLE 300 come powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission and assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system.

The 150kW/320Nm CLE 200 drives its rear wheels, while the 190kW/400Nm CLE 300 is all-wheel drive, hence the 4Matic moniker.

The 17kW/205Nm e-motor acts as an integrated starter generator mounted between engine and transmission and boosts engine performance primarily at tip-in throttle. The CLE will not run on electricity alone.

A small lithium-ion battery pack stores the regenerated electricity that drives the e-motor.

One of the key advantages of a 48-volt system is claimed to be fuel consumption. In the case of the CLE 200 the tested combined average is 7.2L/100km, while the CLE 300 comes in at 7.4L/100km.

This is a higher figure than the equivalent C-Class Coupe but still lower than the E-Class. Benz puts this down to tougher testing standards introduced in recent years.

So it’s an increase on paper for a powertrain that’s likely to be more frugal in real life, and the CLE prefers mid-strength 95 RON unleaded petrol.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE really does evoke what the German luxury brand used to be all about.

It’s a refined, comfortable and pleasurable drive that walks (rolls?) that fine line between swift comfort and speedy focus.

It does this well enough to be at home stop-starting on city streets, pootling about the suburbs, then stretching its legs on a highway or twists and turns in the country.

It’s probably no surprise really given it shares so much of its fundamental underpinnings including core MRA architecture with the current-generation – and exceedingly competent – C-Class and E-Class sedans.

Equipped standard with firmer AMG Line passive double wishbone front- and multi-link rear-sports suspension that’s been lowered 15mm, more direct sports steering and bigger front brakes, the CLE feels purposeful without getting presumptuous.

Common themes across the two vehicles include well-tuned steering that doesn’t simply get heavier as the Dynamic Select dials up (modes are eco, comfort, sport and individual), and a transmission that hides its multitude of gears when cruising and then holds on to them determinedly when driving in Sport.

Tactile flappy paddles add personality to the drive experience as does the low seating position, delivering a more direct and connected feel to the driving experience than those towering SUVs.

And compared to an electric vehicle there’s something to be said for an internal combustion engine in a sporting car. It demands more interaction and gives more feedback than a battery electric vehicle and you don’t have to worry about where your next charge is coming from either.

Well-tuned lane keeping means you don’t have to go through the labour of switching it off every time you get in and drive. It only really demands extinction if you’re navigating a winding road. Then it can be a little too obvious.

Speaking of winding roads, that’s where these two cars diverge a little. The 200 weighs less (1809kg v 1865kg) and feels a tad more nimble. It also absorbs lumps and crags less obviously and flows more pertly.

The 300 tends to embed into the road more and transmit more shock more sharply. But its noticeable rather than annoying.

The powertrain backs up this forceful impression. The extra power and torque of the CLE 300 delivers enough punch to gain your full attention, without getting to the AMG ‘bruiser’ stage. The 6.2 sec 0-100km/h claim kinda captures where it’s at.

The 200 coupe never feels more than mildly entertaining in the powertrain department. There’s revvy percolating enthusiasm but it’s the one in which you have to think harder before making that quick overtake. It’s 7.4 seco 0-100km/h claim definitely captures where it’s at!

Of course the CLE does have obvious assistance from the e-motor at tip-in throttle, which helps with that round-town behaviour and providing a smoother fuel-saving stop-start function.

And what of fuel economy? Well, the 200 came out at 10.4L/100km during our varied drive and the 300 at 8.8L/100km. It spent more time cruising on freeways and highways.

There’s no doubt you get a sense of the parts bin special the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE is when you jump in the cockpit.

There’s a lot here that reminds of the latest C-Class sedan and GLC SUV, particularly the dual screens, which means a lot of the same graphics – which are commendably CarPlay-crushing high quality.

And the same lack of hard buttons for climate and audio controls is also present, which is a frustration. At least the home button is prominent so you can reset and start drilling through menus again.

Speaking of buttons, the profusion of touch controls on the multi-spar steering wheel are another frustration. It’s easy to send the wrong instruction to the cruise control or the screen simply by brushing the spoke the wrong way.

The voice assistant proved confusable as it alternately refused to close the sunroof and then only partially closed it. Technology hey…

But if you have the time to get to know the infotainment systems, there is no shortage of ways to personalise various aspects of the car and screens. There’s lots of bits and bobs hidden away including an eco-indicator in the instrument cluster, that looks like a green rotating basketball.

The interior presentation is a combination of piano black, some sort of woodgrain, faux metal and those Burmester speakers that are a piece of artwork in themselves. It all works together nicely and looks typically Benz.

In the front seat the CLE is very comfortable with extended under-thigh support and substantial side bolsters backed up by plentiful adjustment – mounted in the door as per Benz tradition.

Having the gear shifter as a wand on the steering column eases the shortage of stowage space that often afflicts coupes. For front seat passengers there’s some decent choices including a large glovebox, reasonable door bins, double cupholders in a covered recess and a lidded centre bin.

There’s only room for two passengers in the rear seat and the good news is if you’re trading up from a C-Class Coupe then you’ll find substantially more of it. There’s even some claimed increases compared to the E-Class.

But it’s still pretty tight in the back for headroom especially and not recommended for long distance travel. Limited storage and minimal windows emphasise that. At least there are adjustable air vents.

The boot now holds 420 litres – up on the old C-Class and down on the old E-Class – and the seatbacks fold down to add flexibility.

Happily, Mercedes-Benz has not borrowed from here and fossicked from there and created a Frankenstein. In either guise the 2024 CLE Coupe is actually a very nice and cultured drive that would be a shock – and a pleasure – for many SUV owners.

Dunno how they’d go not being able to look down on the traffic though. Nor are they going to fit that mountain bike or embark on that theoretical outback trip.

Yep, the CLE is not exactly rational or practical and that’s a big reason demand is going to be quite insignificant.

But at least we know those few buyers have good taste.

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 at a glance:
Price: $102,815 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 150kW/320Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Unrated

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 at a glance:
Price: $123,815 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 190kW/400Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Unrated

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