2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet First Drive Review: The Soft Side Of Open-Top Motoring

Mercedes once sold six different convertible vehicles, but in a market where buyers only seem to want crossovers and SUVs, six is way too many drop-tops for a single lineup. That’s why the bosses at Mercedes drastically reduced the number of coupes and convertibles and combined the two-door, four-seat C-Class and E-Class models into one new nameplate dubbed the CLE-Class.

DrivingOnRoad had an early opportunity to drive the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, one of two bodystyles that will be offered. Mercedes will initially sell the CLE Cabriolet in two versions: a four-cylinder CLE 300 and a six-cylinder CLE 450. An AMG-powered CLE 53 Cabriolet will go on sale later. This new convertible faces a tough task in a diminishing market; it must rival the BMW 4 Series Convertible while also replacing two established nameplates with an unfamiliar one. Is the CLE Cabriolet compelling enough to pull it off? It depends on what you’re looking for in a convertible.

What’s New? The Whole Thing

As a completely new nameplate in the Mercedes lineup, the CLE theoretically breaks new ground in the four-seat convertible market. Or does it? The CLE is meant to combine the C-Class and E-Class Cabriolet models into one, and it sort of succeeds in that goal.

Based on the comparison of dimensions above, the CLE leans closer to the E part of its name, exceeding the outgoing E-Class in overall length while being slightly shorter in wheelbase, width, and height. That makes it larger than its closest competitor, the BMW 4 Series, in every measurement except width. Buyers who like the idea of a comfortable cruiser will be happy with the CLE’s size, while sports car enthusiasts may find the proportions too large.

Exterior/Interior: Generic Opulence

Mercedes says the CLE’s design is “powerful and athletic.” We disagree. It features rounded shapes like other recent Mercedes products, giving it a non-distinctive appearance that could easily be mistaken for another brand. This may sound harsh, but if we removed the three-pointed stars, the CLE could easily be the latest Toyota Solara.

That’s not to say this is an ugly car, but a two-door convertible is supposed to win buyers over with curb appeal. To us, the headlights look very much like the entry-level CLA, and the taillights are too similar to the GLC Coupe. A bright color helps the CLE pop, but there are only two options – Starling Blue metallic ($750) and MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red metallic ($1,750) – that exist outside the black, white, and grey German rainbow. You do get three no-cost roof colors, including black, grey, and red.

That top goes up/down in around 20 seconds at up to 37 mph and combines well with the Aircap feature – a pop-up mechanism above the windshield that deflects wind over the cabin. Wheels range from 18 to 20 inches on the CLE 300, while the CLE 450 upgrades to 19-inch wheels as standard.

Inside, the CLE’s cabin looks more elegant than the exterior. Comfortable seats can be wrapped in multiple colors of MB-Tex or real leather with optional ventilation and massage functions available. Mercedes even covered the leather with a special coating that keeps it cooler on hot days. Some of the trim options look cheap, but the Natural Grain Black wood w/Aluminum Lines makes the cabin feel more upmarket for just $200 extra.

The dashboard will look familiar to anyone who has sat in the new C-Class, as the CLE is nearly identical from the dash forward. There’s an 11.9-inch touchscreen in the middle, which features cleaned-up MBUX infotainment software that’s more visually appealing and easier to navigate. That screen can also tilt, just like it does in the SL, to deter sun glare.

Performance: Smooth Options

The CLE Cabriolet arrives in two configurations with a high-powered AMG model coming soon. Buyers who don’t care about rapid performance will be fine with the CLE 300 4MATIC, which delivers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The CLE 450 gets a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six, delivering a healthier 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 times drop from 6.2 seconds in the CLE 300 to 4.2 in the CLE 450, but the top speeds are the same at 130 mph. A nine-speed automatic comes standard on both models.

Both models benefit from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that smooths out the stop/start system. We were surprised to see that both engines achieve the same fuel economy numbers: 23/32/26 city/highway/combined MPG, according to the EPA.

Driving Impressions: The Comfy Convertible

Mercedes wanted to blend the best of the C-Class and E-Class into one vehicle, resulting in a comfortable cruiser that offers a bit of fun. We tested the CLE 450, which comes standard with Sport suspension featuring adaptive dampers. Despite being the sporty option, the CLE rode comfortably, even over some of LA’s rougher stretches of highway. The BMW 4 Series is firm by comparison, which could deter some shoppers. The cabin is supremely quiet with the roof up, and the Aircap system works with a rear wind deflector to keep the wind from disturbing occupants when the roof is down.

When we got off the highway and reached the Malibu canyons, the CLE handled competently around corners with a noticeable but controllable amount of body roll. The steering isn’t particularly sharp, but it keeps the front end playful enough to have fun. We came away falling in love with Mercedes’ inline-six engine; it’s smooth, peppy, and reasonably fuel efficient. There’s enough power to easily pass slower traffic with little effort, and it fades into the background when cruising. A bit more noise from the exhaust would be appreciated, but that’s why AMG has the CLE 53 coming.

Pricing & Verdict: Sunlight Isn’t Free

Sunlight may be free when you’re walking, but Mercedes won’t let you get more of it without paying a heavy toll. The CLE 300 Cabriolet starts at $64,350 (excluding $1,150 for destination and delivery), making it roughly $8,000 more expensive than its fixed roof sibling. That price rises further to $66,950 for the Pinnacle trim level, which adds augmented reality navigation, entertainment plus, Guard 360 dash camera, and a head-up display. The BMW 4 Series Convertible is cheaper, even with xDrive, delivering a sportier but less luxurious experience.

If you can afford a hefty $9,500 premium, the $73,850 CLE 450 (with $76,850 for the Pinnacle) is significantly quicker than its four-cylinder counterpart without losing anything in fuel economy. It’s also just 11 hp shy of the M440i xDrive Convertible, which goes for $74,250 before options and destination. Even at that price, the CLE is significantly cheaper than the Mercedes-AMG SL 43, making it somewhat of a steal in the Benz lineup.

It’s quite refreshing to see a convertible that doesn’t compromise comfort for track-ready performance that will never be utilized. There are few vehicles like this on the market, especially not at this price. If you want a superior driving experience, we prefer how the BMW 4 Series feels from behind the wheel. But if you’d rather sit back in a massage seat and soak up the sun, the CLE Cabriolet is our preferred convertible.