Mercedes-Benz replaced its C-Class and E-Class coupes this year with the CLE, a spanking new model. The CLE coupe came first; the CLE cabriolet followed on its heels. Every CLE comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Like the coupe version, the CLE cabriolet is offered in two strengths: the 255-horsepower CLE 300 and 375-horsepower CLE 450. Cabriolet pricing starts at $64,350 for the CLE 300, a chunk of change more than the coupe’s $56,500, but worth every buck for someone with a loose budget and a psyche longing for open-air driving in a luxury sports car with a big Mercedes-Benz logo up front. Believe it or not, I have a friend who fits that description.
For the cost-curious: The CLE 450 cabriolet starts at $73,850.
I drove a CLE 300 cabriolet, whose 255-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque are provided by a turbocharged four-cylinder mild hybrid engine. It’s hooked to a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the powertrain lacks some of the CLE 450’s gusto, it benefits from a suspension favoring comfort over kicks. That’s not just a nice way of saying the CLE 300 isn’t very fast. It’s good and fast. And, when the CLE 300 costs $9,500 less than the CLE 450, living without those extra horses would be easy.
The CLE 300 cabriolet has seating for up to four passengers. Driver and front passenger can luxuriate, but the back seats are iffy for adults, legroom-wise. The trunk provides 9.6 cubic feet of space when the soft top is up. That doesn’t sound like much, but you’d be surprised how much stuff you don’t need when you don’t have room for it in what you’re driving. Rear seatbacks in the CLE 300 can be folded to provide a bit more than 9.6 cubic feet.
CLE 300’s interior has a freestanding 12.3-inch digital driver display and 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display. Infotainment technology offers a mixed experience of appreciating its sophistication and some frustration over how it works. Getting to the point of proficiency takes some effort. Touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel can present a challenge. The wonderful Burmester surround sound audio system, standard on the CLE 300, went far in assuaging my impatience. The “Hey, Mercedes” voice recognition assistant is an excellent fallback for commands, but there were a few times when it didn’t work for me, probably because it resented my shouting.
Standard infotainment features include navigation, SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, and wireless phone charging.
2024 MERCEDES-BENZ CLE 300 CABRIOLET
Base price, including destination charge: $65,500
Price as driven: $77,020
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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