Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet 2024 Review – International

Pricing for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet has yet to be released ahead of its Australian launch around mid-year, but we would be surprised if the drop-top wasn’t positioned closer to the outgoing E-Class Cabriolet rather than the smaller C-Class.

The current E 350 Cabriolet is priced from $151,570 plus ORCs, however all-new CLE Cab pricing will hinge on the model variants brought here – as well as CLE Coupe pricing, which is also yet to be confirmed.

With the CLE 300 Coupe expected to start from around $130K, that could place the equivalent roofless version another $15,000 upstream. CLE 450 versions would naturally be higher again.

Key rivals include the (smaller) BMW 4 Series Convertible – starting at $106,500 for the 420i and $150,900 plus ORCs for the M440i xDrive – and the Audi A5 Cabriolet, which opens at $106,200 for the 45 TFSI and $135,600 plus ORCs for the S5.

A 330kW Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 has also been shown overseas, drawing closer to the 375kW BMW M4 Competition two-doors.

Based on the anticipated starting prices, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet should be loaded with high-grade equipment.

As standard, we expect all Australian cars to come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a large 11.9-inch infotainment system that runs the latest MBUX operating system.

The centre screen can be tilted 15-40 degrees – a useful feature when the roof is down and you want to reduce sun reflections.

More good news for those who like to drop the hood at every opportunity is standard fitment of both the AIRCAP electric wind deflector and AIRSCARF neck blowers in the front seats. The electric front seat functionality also extends to four-way lumber adjustment.

Given Australia is one of the world’s biggest AMG markets, we expect all models to be equipped as standard with the AMG Line exterior pack. This adds a sportier front bumper, a diffuser-style rear bumper, Mercedes star grille, 19-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels, 15mm-lower sports suspension, a sports exhaust and uprated brakes.

Multibeam LED headlights should be standard too, offering high beam assist including light modes for different weather conditions.

The CLE also gets car-to-X communication with fast 5G connectivity, along with 64-colour ambient interior lighting.

Options will include upsizing the wheels to larger 20-inch alloys, and upgrading the seat coverings from faux leather to the real thing – with the added bonus of a seven-zone massage function.

Premium paint and different interior finishes will also be paid-for extras, as will the opportunity to equip the cabin with a powerful 17-speaker Burmester 3D surround-sound system.

Engineers behind the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet claim the vehicle’s occupant protection goes well beyond current legal requirements.

When developing the roofless take on the CLE Coupe, the German car-maker said it looked at real-life accidents involving other convertibles to understand how it could improve protection beyond the crash test laboratory.

The result is a sophisticated rollover protection system that includes highly rigid A-pillars and an incredible 12 individual airbags – including centre airbags positioned between the driver and front passenger and two separate head-protecting airbags for rear occupants.

To avoid a collision occurring at all, the CLE Cabriolet incorporates up to 10 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These cover driver attention, braking, steering, lane keeping, blind spots, intersections, speed limits, and more.

Australian-spec cars are also expected to feature Mercedes’ latest Pre-Safe and rear-end collision preparation systems.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet benefits from the same advanced features introduced in the latest-generation E-Class, including the third-generation MBUX infotainment system that works wirelessly with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Now boasting Android compatibility, Benz says owners will soon be able to download a range of apps and games, and access video and online streaming.

The CLE Cabriolet includes wireless phone charging as standard, plus two USB-C charging ports up front on the centre console and another two on the arm rest in the second row.

The infotainment system also has inbuilt AI (artificial intelligence) that’s designed to learn your daily habits behind the wheel and might one day ensure you don’t miss appointments, forget it’s your partner’s birthday and even indulge in a chat about the weather.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has yet to officially confirm the engine line-up for our market, but we expect the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet will be offered at launch in both CLE 300 and CLE 450 guise.

Both powertrains come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission, plus the car-maker’s advanced 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.

The CLE 300 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190kW and 400Nm of torque. Thanks to an integrated starter-generator, the system can also provide a brief boost of up to 17kW and 205Nm for overtaking.

Against the clock, Mercedes-Benz says the turbo-four can launch from 0-100km/h in a sprightly 6.6 seconds before topping out at a blustery 250km/h.

Meanwhile, the CLE 450 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder that pushes out 280kW and 500Nm, the latter peaking at just 1800rpm.

Acceleration is strong, the CLE 450 hitting 100km/h in just 4.7sec. Top speed is limited to the same 250km/h as the CLE 300.

Both cars need plenty of power to offset their considerable mass, with the CLE 300 tipping the scales at a portly 1985kg while the CLE 450 weighs in at a clinically obese 2080kg.

A less-powerful rear-drive 150kW CLE 200 and 143kW CLE 220d turbo-diesel will also be available overseas, but not in Australia.

What could potentially arrive in early 2025 is a flagship high-performance Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 version that will pump out as much as 330kW and come with extra agility-boosting hardware like rear-wheel steer and a limited-slip rear differential for a more engaging drive.

Towards the end of next year, a plug-in hybrid version might also join the ranks, offering an all-electric range of up to 100km.

According to the manufacturer, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 Cabriolet is capable of averaging a WLTP-verified 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.

The more powerful CLE 450 Cabriolet is rated at 8.5L/100km.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is a refreshing experience behind the wheel – and we’re not talking about the feeling you get from lowering the roof, a process that takes around 20 seconds at speeds of up to 60km/h.

The best thing about the regular non-AMG versions of the CLE Cabriolet is the fact that Mercedes’ engineers haven’t attempted to turn these natural-born cruisers into cars that are overly sporty.

Of the two variants in line for Australia, the CLE 450 will be hard to resist with its extra urge that seems untroubled by the CLE’s considerable kerb weight and offers all the performance you’d ever need from a drop-top, although we do wish the inline-six sounded a little more thrilling.

There’s little wrong with the 2.0-litre turbo in the CLE 300 – it’s forced to work a little harder but it’s a smooth unit and seems to have a better relationship with the standard nine-speed automatic than the more powerful 3.0-litre inline-six, with less indecision with exactly what gear it should be in at lower speeds.

Once on your favourite roads, as well as decent pace, you’ll appreciate the CLE convertible’s precise and accurate steering and the general levels of comfort and lack of buffeting.

Engineers claim they worked hard to reduce cabin turbulence, and the results speak for themselves, although the pop-up front AIRCAP spoiler remains as ugly as ever.

The advanced aero also extends to using a curtain of air at speed to clear the side windows and door mirror glass, which is a nice touch.

Perhaps the biggest surprise comes when you’ve grown tired of all that vitamin D and raise the roof. The levels of hushed refinement are honestly beyond any other convertible this side of the old S-Class Cabriolet or Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead.

The five-layer fabric roof is so effective that you wouldn’t hesitate to use the CLE Cab every day of the year.

There’s even decent levels of knee-room in the second row and reasonable headroom roof-up for most adults.

What isn’t so welcome is the ride quality. In Comfort mode it feels a little underdamped. It’s much better in the firmer Sport mode, but the CLE struggles to filter out the worst of a poorly surfaced road, which doesn’t bode well for our broken blacktop.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet’s cabin is almost identical to the CLE Coupe, which brings positives and negatives.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the crystal-clear digital displays used for both the instrument panel and infotainment system. We don’t mind the squared-off air vent design, too.

Some of the plastic dash coverings are less easy to warm to, and although it’s not piano black, we recommend you order finishes you’ve seen in the flesh before firing over a deposit to your dealer.

At all costs, we’d also avoid opting for the bright red colour for the roof as it stands out like a sore thumb.

As well as being roomier than the Audi A5 Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Convertible, Mercedes-Benz has not dropped the ball when it comes to luggage-carrying capacity in the CLE Cabrio, offering up to 385 litres of cargo space – equivalent to the BMW and 5L more than the Audi.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is a likeable thing, perfectly pitched to those who desire a wind-in-the-hair feel and delivering a driving experience more akin to the old S-Class Cabriolet.

From its elegant design to impeccable refinement and smooth, easy drive, the CLE Cabriolet is the perfect antidote to boring and predictable cars clogging our roads.

Of course, it’s not perfect; we wish its ride quality was a little better, and can’t make a definitive call until we drive it Down Under and have pricing details confirmed.

But we’re happy it exists.

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet at a glance:
Price: $165,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: June/July 2024
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 280kW/500Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 180g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested