“Great car, the only complaint is having to slide your finger to adjust volume. A dial you can actually grasp would be better. It is very hard to adjust volume just sliding your finger on a pad.”
Mercedes-Benz CLE: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is a four-seat compact luxury coupe or convertible that replaced the former C-Class and E-Class two-door lines. It is known for relaxed grand touring, standard all-wheel drive, turbocharged gas power, and a polished digital cabin.
Introduced for 2024, the CLE brought Mercedes-Benz’s two-door C-Class and E-Class roles together in one model. Its defining character is elegant and relaxed rather than hard-edged and sporty. The coupe emphasizes sleek, quiet long-distance driving, while the convertible brings the same idea to open-air motoring.
Strengths
- Every U.S. CLE has standard all-wheel drive.
- The cabin has a rich, modern look centered on large digital displays.
- The CLE favors relaxed grand touring over a hard-edged sports-car feel.
- The CLE 450’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivers notably more power than the CLE 300’s four-cylinder.
- The coupe and convertible share the same elegant four-seat formula, with the latter adding open-air driving.
Who it's for
The CLE suits someone who wants a stylish two-door for commuting and road trips, values comfort and cabin design over sharp sports-car behavior, and wants standard all-wheel drive. The coupe fits buyers who prefer a quieter fixed-roof grand tourer, while the convertible is aimed at those who put open-air driving first.
Mercedes-Benz CLE lineup
The CLE 300 4MATIC is the more modestly powered entry point, pairing a turbo four-cylinder engine with standard all-wheel drive. Pick it when the CLE’s style, comfort, and cabin matter more than having the stronger engine. The CLE 450 4MATIC steps up to a more powerful turbo inline-six, making it the better fit for buyers who want added performance without leaving the CLE’s relaxed grand-touring character behind.
Mercedes-Benz CLE generations
From 2024 to 2026, the CLE spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation — C236 Coupe / A236 Cabriolet arrived for 2024.
1st Generation — C236 Coupe / A236 Cabriolet (2024–Present)
The CLE debuted as one two-door model line replacing the former C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles. It pairs standard all-wheel drive with mild-hybrid four- or six-cylinder engines and a digital cabin built around a 12.3-inch driver display and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen.
7 In Stock
2026
Light option updates add adaptive damping for the CLE 450, rear-axle steering for the coupe through an Engineering Package, separately offered surround-view cameras, and a new center-console finish.
2025
The regular CLE 300 and CLE 450 carry over. The AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet joins the broader lineup.
2024New generation
The all-new CLE launches as the combined replacement for the former C-Class and E-Class coupe and cabriolet lines.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Mercedes-Benz CLE.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mercedes-Benz CLE?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is a four-seat, two-door luxury grand tourer. It comes as a closed-roof Coupe or a soft-top Cabriolet and emphasizes comfort, style, and easy long-distance driving more than sharp sports-car behavior.
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE a coupe or a convertible?
It is sold in both forms. The CLE Coupe has a fixed roof and a quieter, sleeker grand-touring character, while the CLE Cabriolet has a folding roof for open-air driving. Both have two doors and four seats.
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE a hybrid?
The CLE is a gas-powered car with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. That system supports the gas engine, but it does not make the CLE a plug-in hybrid or a vehicle designed for electric-only driving.
Does the Mercedes-Benz CLE have all-wheel drive?
Yes. U.S.-market CLE 300 and CLE 450 models use Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which sends power to all four wheels for added traction.
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE a sports car or a comfortable cruiser?
It is primarily a comfortable grand tourer. The CLE favors a refined cabin, relaxed road manners, and long-distance comfort over the hard-edged feel of a dedicated sports coupe. The CLE 450 adds more speed and a sportier setup.
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE practical enough for everyday use?
It can work well for one or two people who occasionally carry passengers. Every CLE has four seats and a trunk measuring roughly 9.6 to 11.2 cubic feet in the latest lineup, but the two-door layout is less convenient for frequent rear-seat use.
What cars did the Mercedes-Benz CLE replace?
The CLE replaced the former Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles with one two-door model line. The first CLE generation arrived for 2024 and continues in Coupe and Cabriolet forms.
Mercedes-Benz CLE Reviews
What owners are saying about the Mercedes-Benz CLE.
4.2
Mercedes-Benz CLE
(133 reviews)
“Pretty car. Nice ride. Some of the digital features are not very intuitive, confusing and/or difficult to use while driving. Love the ease of putting convertible top up and down.”
“The AWD allows me to drive all year round. I love the acceleration! The interior is so classy and the ambient lights are spectacular!”
“The car comes with sports tires that can only be used above 40 degrees. Manufacture should supply all weather tires for car use in colder climates.”
“The quality of the vehicle does not match the price. Mercedes Benz used to be a very well made vehicle, the quality is not the same anymore.”
“It's fast. I like sports mode. It's kind of small and feels claustrophobic sometimes, but it is nice. I am happy.”