You see them on the road, as shining new models on show or a loved classic out and about on a sunny Sunday. The Mercedes-Benz coupe is a hallmark of the German car brand, and something that so many aspire to own.
Keen punters might not recognise this new CLE-Class nomenclature, because it’s new territory for Mercedes-Benz.
It’s the next bankruptcy in the brand’s long and storied history of sleek, modern coupe models, replacing the E-Class and C-Class coupes.
This new in-between model, which starts at just over $100,000 before on-road costs, serves as the gateway point into Mercedes’s reach-for-the-stars range of two-door delicacies.
Reach for the stars with the Mercedes-AMG GT priced from $366,500 before on-road costs.
But let’s come back down towards earth for this review, and look at what Mercedes’s most budget-friendly coupe looks, feels and drives like.
With a starting value just above the six-figure threshold of $102,815 plus on-road fees, the CLE200 coupe is more expensive than the older base C-Class coupe ($79,200 plus on-road fees for the C200), but is $10,000 less expensive than the E200 coupe ($112,969).
And to up the price quotient here, the new Benz CLE-Class is longer and wider than the outgoing E-Class Coupe, and noticeably longer and wider than the C-Class Coupe.
Standard equipment for the CLE200 is at a high level, with things like LED lighting front and rear, an AMG-Line exterior styling pack and 19-inch black AMG wheels improving road presence.
Inside we find an 11. 9-inch infotainment screen, a 12. 3-inch virtual tool cluster, a head-up show and a panoramic sunroof as equipment.
There’s a Burmester-branded audio formula with Dolby Atmos, ambient interior lighting, and heated, power-adjustable front seats.
In terms of price, the Mercedes-Benz CLE is a bit pricey compared to an Audi A5 forty-five TFSI ($90,815 plus highway costs) or even the gruggier, better-equipped S5 for $119,215 plus highway costs. road.
From BMW, consider the 430i M Sport ($109,700), or trade exterior size for engine size, with the smaller but more powerful M240i xDrive, which has 285kW/500Nm and costs $99,900 plus on-road costs.
Those who need a sportier coupe for around $100,000 also check out the Toyota Supra, Nissan Z, and Ford Mustang.
Perhaps an oddball choice would be the electric Polestar 4, which is classed a coupe, but blends four-door coupe styling, hatchback practicality, and higher-riding SUV stance.
With greater length and width at stake, the new Benz CLE has a clear advantage in terms of space over the smaller C-Class coupe.
But although the CLE is technically a four-seater, inside it has a two-plus-two layout. This means that while there is room for two (not three, by the way), there is quite a bit of legroom and headroom. in the back.
Adults may have compatibility here, but comfort will depend on the length of the legs of those in front. The visibility is not wonderful either and is only suitable for short getaways.
But of course, it’s up front where the CLE200 really makes a big impression.
Because there is a high level of standard equipment included as standard in this Benz, dropping yourself into the cabin brings an element of ‘wow’ into your impressions. It’s well designed, and carries on the same combination of design, layout and materials that we have seen in the latest products from Mercedes-Benz.
The combination of a timber across the dashboard and glossy piano black combines well, and plays into the whole dark and brooding theme inside the vehicle. Switchgear feels good, and you’ve got a fair amount of storage available in the two lidded storage areas in the central console, along with cupholders, of course.
The power outlets are hidden with the cup holders under the black piano panel, and I’m sure many cleaning enthusiasts will appreciate the fact that you can close everything to keep it clean and tidy.
Other chrome-like plastics look sleek around door cards, handles, and air vents, but the addition of LED ambient lighting is cleverly executed to give the CLE200 a modern, eye-catching feel.
Disregarding a beefier all-wheel drive powertrain, the only thing a CLE300 offers that’s more expensive than a CLE200 is the addition of leather seats, which are different from the CLE200’s leatherette.
But with a $2,900 option checked, we were upgraded to the same level. And in addition to features such as heating, reminiscence and electric changes that it offers, the CLE200 seats with advanced fabrics are quite comfortable and of elegant quality. We made a trip of approximately two and a half hours and left without problems.
Infotainment has been a Mercedes-Benz suit for some time now, and that’s still the case here. An 11. 9-inch formula is more than enough in terms of screen size, but the combination of features, menu navigation and ease of use is very much present.
Most will likely dip straight into Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for all of their navigation and entertainment needs, but we’ve also got native navigation, AM/FM radio and digital radio to appease our needs.
There is the ability to connect up with the Mercedes Me companion app on your CLE-Class, which gives you some remote control and information, but this service does come with a cost after the three-year complimentary period.
Mercedes-Benz appears to have some vehicle apps available only through a subscription service, meaning it wants ongoing payments to use a given feature even if the hardware is installed in the car.
While plenty of vehicles in Mercedes’s range have a published ANCAP safety score, and five stars are the norm in this regard, the CLE is currently unrated, with no testing conducted by either ANCAP in Australia or the equivalent Euro NCAP overseas.
Standard safety equipment is aplenty in this CLE200, with nothing held over compared to more expensive variants. This includes all of the usual suspects like adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, lane-keep assistance and blind-spot monitoring, but also has the added value of not getting in the way of everyday driving.
The technology is there and can be genuinely helpful if you have a slip-up behind the wheel (we’ve all had one, haven’t we?), but the systems are finely tuned in a manner to not interrupt your normal attentive and thoroughly safe driving situations.
Service costs for the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class are capped at $3325 for three years or $6800 for five years. Mercedes offers those prices as part of pre-paid packages, and is the same across the Mercedes-Benz CLE range.
Remember that the hardware between CLE200 and CLE300 is necessarily the same. While the higher-numbered style has all-wheel drive, more horsepower and torque are achieved with the same base 2. 0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Insurance for a 2025 Mercedes CLE200 is set at $3,206 per year according to an online quote generator. This is based on a 35 year old man living in Chatswood, New South Wales. Insurance estimates may vary depending on your location. driving history and non-public circumstances.
Helped by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, the 2.0-litre M254 engine in this coupe is an efficient operator. A claim of only 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres is impressive, but our driving across town, highway, and more spirited driving situations saw a number that was a little higher at 9.0L/100km.
For what it’s worth, opting for the more expensive CLE300 with the higher-power edition of the same engine, 190 kW/400 Nm versus 150 kW/320 Nm, gets a higher average of 7. 4 L/100 km.
In this CLE200 variant of Mercedes’s swooping coupe, you get a driving experience that is competent and refined, but also not exciting. In this case, it’s a car that’s destined for those who don’t see themselves as keen enthusiasts.
The CLE gets a harder tune from the same base engine as the CLE300, but the 150 kW and 320 Nm in this case are enough, but not much either.
The nature of the engine, which doesn’t develop a raucous amount of power density, is quite demure overall. It’s refined and well behaved, with enough grunt for a little bit of nippy driving.
But at the same time, it would be disappointing for those who need a bit of a tough side.
The 17 kW and 205 Nm power outputs of the belt-driven starter generator, powered via the 48-volt mild hybrid system, help a bit in terms of motivation to move forward. But like many other programs in this technology, it’s all about power and emissions reduction.
Driving this CLE200, you can feel that the chassis is capable of handling significantly more power and torque than what we have here. It works out to be 84kW to the tonne against a claimed tare mass of 1782kg, which is decent without being sporty.
Numbers and specs aside, the driving experience of this CLE200 is not sporty. This is due to the linear and non-explosive transmission of force through the revs, a fairly low maximum rev and a subtle soundtrack.
On the more positive side, the car remains composed and solid in almost any scenario it finds itself in. It’s balanced and subtle thanks to the steering wheel and offers plenty of driving functions to explore. But for willing drivers, they will have to accelerate at one hundred percent to get dynamic movement.
Another strength of the CLE is the ride quality, which is sometimes intelligent and suitable for city, highway and highway driving. This reinforces the strength of the CLE200 as a smart-looking travel vehicle, rather than as a dynamic package.
Not many people have a Mercedes-Benz Coupé as a regular towing option, but the maximum towing capacity of 1,800 kg braked is strangely generous.
As long as the trailer has its own brake system, you can get away with a decent-sized trailer for your car, if you want.
The main attraction of the CLE200 is the aesthetics, whether when you look at it from the outside or when you dive inside. Take a look at the component and it will be an attractive option for those who aspire to get a stylish two-door passenger vehicle dressed in a three-pointed star.
It’s comfortable and refined, and it comes with impressive and functional technology. For those who need a fancy tank for weekend road trips and a comfortable two-plus-two driver, overall it feels pretty smart.
Those looking to gain momentum, whether through functionality and heart-pounding thrills, will have to dig deeper into a CLE300, which offers more power and all-wheel drive.
Costing just over a hundred thousand dollars plus on-road costs has its appeal, but the CLE200 does have some compelling competition to consider. The BMW 430i and Audi A5 would need to be considered, along with other sporty coupes like the Toyota Supra, Nissan Z and Ford Mustang.
For those who don’t appreciate great straight-line functionality and an accompanying orchestra of sound, then the Mercedes-Benz CLE200 is more of a car in terms of specification, comfort, features and appeal than you will ever want.
It’s certainly fun to drive, but those who need a little more motivation under the hood would weigh the roughly $20,000 jump to the CLE300.
The next step in the shopping adventure is to check the Mercedes-Benz inventory of your favorite Mercedes-Benz variant. You can also locate Mercedes-Benz cars for sale on Drive Marketplace.
We highly recommend taking a test run at a brokerage before committing, as private desires and tastes may differ. Find your nearest Mercedes-Benz broker here. We also suggest looking at the Audi S5, which is available for the same price but offers superior levels of performance.
If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.
Performance
6.5
Security technology
7. 5
Ride quality
8.0
Infotainment and connectivity
8.0
Maneuverability and dynamics.
7.5
Energy efficiency
8. 0
Driver technology
8.0
Value for money
7. 0
Interior comfort and packaging.
8. 0
Fit for purpose
8. 0
All-terrain editor