Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 (2024) Review

The world is an ever-changing place, and the automotive environment is no different. If you happen to be old enough to remember, there was a time when hatchbacks weren't a thing. Instead, sedans were the order of the day, giving birth to the likes of the BMW 3 and 5 Series, Audi 100 and 200, and the Mercedes-Benz C- and E-Class. Then, the humble Volkswagen Golf showed us that we don't need all that car, and in the 80s and 90s, the hatchback revolution took place. The landscape has morphed, and we find ourselves in the era of crossovers and SUVs. But before even the sedan era, there was a healthy demand for the coupé.

Related: All-new Mercedes-Benz CLE touches down in South Africa

In writing this, I had to decide whether I would wax lyrical about the fall of the coupé or lament the perversion of the term 'coupé'. Be thankful I chose the former. Nevertheless, the admittedly impractical 2-door offerings have made way for the more generic, spacious, and convenient crossover and SUV. While understandable, it brings great sorrow to the enthusiasts who still romanticise motoring and appreciate the art of creating motor vehicles. For them, the spill of uninspired SUVs does little to capture their imagination, and that's where the new Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class comes in.

Styling

The CLE is an all-new creation from Mercedes-Benz, but one that comes at a price. This price is the C- and E-Class coupe. Mercedes-Benz is doing away with both the C-Class coupe and E-Class coupe in favour of a singular model that has to cater for both audiences. It's a sign of the times and the diminished demand for low-slung coupes, but we will gladly take this consolation rather than lose both because the demand no longer justifies its existence. Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz has done a stellar job of designing the CLE.

While it would have been easy to get carried away with the design approach of the CLE, Mercedes-Benz realized that the typical Mercedes coupe customer is looking for something elegant, timeless, and svelte. By limiting the finer details, they've managed to draw attention to the package as a whole, the proportions of both the individual aspects; the boot, bonnet, window line and creases, and the finer details like the overhangs, wheelbase, and integration of the lighting into the design.

The Drive

There's still a wonderful appeal to sitting lower to the ground with stretches of machine out in front of you and behind you. Even as a motoring journalist, I spend more time behind the wheel of SUVs than I do sportscars and sedans, gradually becoming numb to the romantic interaction with a motor vehicle. Downsizing, lowering yourself, and removing some of the comfort and convenience injected into SUVs bring you back to the tangible action of driving. And the CLE reminded me of that joy.

The ride is, naturally, firmer, and the physical sensations are heightened when you drive the CLE. The low ride height, narrow glasshouse, and compromised visibility are inherent features of a coupe, but a connection has been lost in this modern day and age. The CLE is still pleasant and easy to drive, and it offers a sense of occasion when one steps inside - every journey, no matter how small or insignificant, becomes something special. It's easy enough to park and can be somewhat sporty and compliant at other times. It straddles the line between sportiness and convenience. While ordinarily, this would have me concerned about the vehicle's purpose; the CLE exists in a unique space that is fast fading, so I'll cut it some slack.

Performance

You can choose between the CLE 200 and CLE 300 without the test unit being the latter. A 190kW 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine powers it. This unit offers 400Nm torque as well and is complemented by a 48V mild-hybrid system to ease the transitions from off-throttle to usable boost pressure. Paired with the 9G-Tronic gearbox, sending power to all four wheels through the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system gives the CLE a steady composure and predictable nature when pressing on. The power is more than adequate, but it errs on the muted side. I would have preferred a slightly more sporty approach, given the appearance, but the CLE is perfectly suited to the task for the consumer who places a greater emphasis on style.

Space and Comfort

Possibly, one of the CLE's weak points is exactly that: space and comfort. The ride is harder than most will be accustomed to, and space is not its strong suit. It's inherently compromised in these areas, but as previously stated, it's the concession one has to make to look this good. It isn't short on tech and convenience features, though. The slick MBUX infotainment system is soon your best friend, allowing you to tether your smartphone through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and the audio reproduction is excellent.

The singular critique I have of the CLE is the interior, though. Although well designed and equipped, it's modelled on the W206 C-Class. This makes it slick and familiar, but if the CLE is to replace the E-Class coupe, customers may end up feeling a little short-changed by the interior design and execution. I would have liked to see a little more pazazz in the interior.

Safety

A high-end Mercedes-Benz doesn't skimp on the safety features, and the CLE is equipped with an array of active and passive safety systems and advanced driver assistance systems. The CLE has 7 airbags as standard, and you can specify that they add two to that tally. ABS with EBD and emergency assist is standard, while you will also get a stability program and traction control. Active brake assist complements the DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist, trace, and departure warning.

Fuel Consumption

The CLE 300's claimed combined cycle fuel consumption is 7.4 L/100 km, but our numbers were higher, registering a low 12 instead. Admittedly, no effort was made to achieve those claims, the Dynamic Select drive modes allowing for an Eco program. We opted to leave it in Comfort mode most of the time.

The 66-litre fuel tank yields a theoretical range of 892 km from a full tank.

Price

Before attacking the options list, the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC AMG-Line retails for R1 443 076. Our test unit had R358 000 options selected that included the Night Package, R53 000 Manufaktur Alpine Grey option, and R142 000 Premium Plus Package.

The Verdict

I'm glad the CLE exists and pleased that Mercedes-Benz hasn't given up on the stylish coupe. It's an attention-grabbing car, even if it doesn't wear the pukka AMG badge. It's a beautiful design that I believe will age well. Mercedes-Benz makes some of the most attractive cars, and the CLE is art. Having the opportunity to appreciate a simplistic 2-door coupe design where the form hasn't been dictated by the downforce or efficiency that has had to be considered is refreshing. The CLE is a car built to look beautiful, and it does.

Aside from the somewhat disappointing cabin design, the CLE is a worthy replacement for both the C-and E-Class coupes and is still an excellent choice for those enamoured with cars.