2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Cabriolet Brings Back CLK Vibes

For me, growing up through the late 1990s and early 2000s, the iconic Mercedes sports coupe was always the CLK. Offered in a wide range of different versions, as well as in a convertible, it became the poster child for what a two-door Mercedes should be. I also happen to own a scale model of the CLK LM car since I was 17, which has only reinforced my admiration for that car.

As time went on, Mercedes expanded its coupe offering to the point where virtually all of its models, including the S-Class, could be had in this configuration. But as the entry-level C-Class got larger, heavier, and more luxurious, the poor old E-Class coupe started becoming obsolete. Things got even weirder when Mercedes sold the SL, the S-Class convertible and the AMG GT roadster in the same showroom. Mercedes had too many coupes.

In comes the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE. It’s a way for the Silver Star to combine the C and E-Class coupes into an all-new model. It’s a tad larger than the old C-Class, but offers more luxury, comfort and amenities. It feels more like a dedicated model rather than another two-door version of one of Mercedes’ mainstream offerings. In other words, it feels like the old CLK.

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE First Impressions

Although I haven’t been a huge fan of Gorden Wagener’s work on the EQS and EQE electric sedans and SUVs, I must say that the CLE is arguably its best creation to date. There’s a nice familiar look to the way the CLE was styled, while somehow still looking fresh, modern and in tune with what the rest of the industry is releasing these days. Its wheelbase is an inch greater than the outgoing C-class convertible, and 0.3 inch shorter than the last E-class.

In cabriolet form, it’s all about elegance. The Opalite White Bright – a $2,200 (CAD) MANUFAKTUR color option – definitely helped convey the expected opulence of an expensive Mercedes drop-top. It also contrasted well with the magnificent red leather interior and the 20-inch AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy Wheels. What we’re not seeing in the photos is how this car is stanced thanks to bulging wheel arches and wheels that are stretched out to their edges. This is a good-looking car by any means.

I also appreciate how most luxury carmakers have given up on hardtops for their convertibles, defaulting back to the classic ragtop look. It gives these vehicles a more elegant look and feel, while paying homage to the original convertible concept.

Exterior Dimensions

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

The first obvious distinction between both markets is that, in the U.S., the CLE cabriolet can be had in both CLE300 and CLE450 trims. In Canada, the car is only available as a CLE300. Color and wheel options are essentially the same, as well as optional packages. Both cars are also identical from a mechanical standpoint. The rest is nitpicking, like a heated steering wheel that comes standard on Canadian cars, but optional in the U.S.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown

Driving Impressions And Performance

It’s too bad that the Canadian market doesn’t get the more powerful, six-cylinder-powered CLE450 as a cabriolet, because this CLE300 could definitely use a bit more oomph. Not that the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a slouch, though. It’s actually pretty punchy when you catch it mid-range where it pulls the most. But its 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque often feel inadequate in a car that weighs more than 4,000 pounds.

As a drop-top cruiser, though, the CLE300 Cab is actually rather brilliant. It rides smooth, with suspension tuning that always leans on the stiff side – typical of German cars – but that also does a bang up job of absorbing road imperfections with grace.

There are no annoying cabin rattles either, even when the top is lowered. The car feels rock solid. And Mercedes’ ingenious AirCap, essentially a wing that retracts on top of the windshield, actually works at reducing turbulence at high speed. When combined with the rear wind deflector and seat-mounted AIRSCARF, which blows warm air into your neck, the CLE cab’s interior remains cozy even when outdoor temperatures are chill.

Punch the accelerator pedal in a CLE300, and the nine-speed automatic gearbox rapidly downshifts to the ideal cog for maximum forward thrust. The four-cylinder engine sounds a tad loud and unrefined compared to the CLE450’s straight six, but it delivers its torque so low in the rev range that it doesn’t need to rev much to get this cruiser up and going with gusto. The 48-volt mild hybrid system ensures smooth transitions during stop and go traffic. I often never even realized when the internal combustion engine (ICE) had turned itself on.

Handling is flat, with a direct and well-weighted steering feel and an impressive amount of grip thanks to 4MATIC constantly clawing into the tarmac. It allowed me to carry speed effortlessly on winding country roads. But throw the CLE300 too hard into a corner, and it’ll quickly reveal unwanted understeer. Canyon carving just isn’t its thing. This convertible is best enjoyed when casually cruising along a coastline.

Performance Specifications

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Fuel Consumption

According to the EPA, the CLE cabriolet loses about 2 MPG versus the coupe. It’s rated at a lukewarm 26 MPG combined. I expected the mild-hybrid system to allow this elegant convertible to get better numbers. That being said, during highway cruising, the CLE Cab is rather efficient, recording an impressive 32 MPG. During the entire week I had it during summer, with a combination of driving with the roof up and down. I averaged 26.1 MPG.

EPA And As Tested Fuel Consumption

Interior Design And Comfort

A Mercedes cannot be qualified as such if its interior isn’t an inviting living room on wheels where leather, plastics and chrome get together to create one of the most comfortable driving experiences out there. On that front, the CLE – which is somewhat of an entry level model for Mercedes-Benz – does a pretty good job.

It definitely helped that my car’s leather interior was red, which really popped under the glaring sun. Those seats not only look like a million bucks, but they also feel that way. There’s a full plethora of different adjustments too, as well as massaging features to truly allow anyone of any stature to feel at ease.

General build quality, in typical Mercedes fashion, is excellent. The materials used are also rich and inviting, with red accents on the dashboard and door cards that harmonize well with the seats. Everything feels solid and of good quality, but there are some simple elements, like the center console’s privacy cover or the sunshades that reveal noticeable cost-cutting. It’s the kind of disappointing stuff that you won’t find in, say, a competing South-Korean product from Genesis.

Rear seat room is as expected for a two-door coupe. The legroom is tight, but an adult can sit back there comfortably without feeling squeezed. The lack of a roof obviously helps headroom as well as ingress and egress. With the top on, the limited rear headroom could turn off some tall passengers.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

The MBUX infotainment system is now a familiar sight in all of Mercedes’ modern models, but the CLE gets a slightly updated version. According to the carmaker, the goal of this update was to simplify the system’s operation. The main distinction over the old interface is a set of easily accessible quick icons to access vital apps such as your phone, navigation or audio. It’s also all customizable, so you can decide which apps are of more importance.

Generally speaking, MBUX remains an impressive system thanks to its attractive graphical interface, relatively quick operation and downright technologically advanced nature. But I do wish Mercedes would give me an actual volume knob instead of this haptic feedback slider. It’s the same story for HVAC controls. They deserve physical buttons.

But the system still allows you to do many cool things, like adjust ambient lighting to have your CLE’s cabin mimic a lounge at night (although access to these settings while driving is tedious) or simply tell the car to lower cabin temperature through the “Hey Mercedes” voice prompt.

Otherwise, it’s the same familiar technology as what you normally get from all other models at Benz. The digital display behind the steering wheel still allows you to customize its layout to your liking while customizing the look of the gauges and heads-up display. It’s all rather straight-forward to use and intuitive.

Cargo And Storage Space

A drop-top coupe was never designed to be practical, but the CLE’s trunk remains somewhat deep to carry a set of groceries or a few suitcases for a long roadtrip. It’s also possible to lower the rear seats for extra pass-through depth. But a BMW 4 Series still offers more cargo space (12 cu-ft).

A Return To Form For The Iconic Compact Convertible Mercedes

I liked the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 quite a lot, actually. What I adore about this car is its ability to look and feel like the sort of stuff Mercedes would sell us at the turn of the millennium, but it drives and operates like its new models, with all the modern amenities we now take for granted.

It’s also a proper cruiser, the way old Mercedes used to feel. It’s not trying to be a race car like the new SL, or even its main competitor, the BMW 4-Series convertible. While the CLE300 can hold its own on a country back road, it’s actually during daily sunny cruising that you’ll enjoy it the most. It feels great to see Mercedes still interested in building cars that reflect its heritage.