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Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is a two-door coupe and cabriolet grand tourer that replaced the separate C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles, built since October 2023. Motor Trend says its main and arguably only competitor in the luxury two-door coupe segment is the BMW 4 Series, and that the AMG CLE 53 rewards spirited driving while undercutting European and Japanese rivals on price. The 2026 CLE starts at 22 to 27 mpg combined.
What the Mercedes-Benz CLE is
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the CLE as a two-door coupe (C236) and cabriolet (A236) grand tourer, produced since October 2023 for the coupe and April 2024 for the convertible, assembled in Bremen, Germany and Samut Prakan, Thailand, with CLE 300 and CLE 450 gas variants and AMG CLE 53 and CLE 63 performance models. Motor Trend (opens in a new tab) says Mercedes-Benz has an all-new vehicle with the CLE-Class, noting that more affordable alternatives to the droptop SL-Class, like the SLK/SLC, ended production in 2020. The 2026 CLE has a 2.0L four-cylinder mild hybrid or a 3.0L six-cylinder mild hybrid, all-wheel drive, rated 22 to 27 mpg combined by the EPA, about $2,850 to $3,500 a year in fuel.
Recalls and reliability
VinSpectorAI (opens in a new tab) says it analyzed 3 model years, 2024 to 2026, and names the 2024 the worst by complaints, with 6, while cautioning that a newer year always shows fewer complaints simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) notes that a redesign year, when a model is new or has been extensively updated, carries a higher risk of reliability problems, and that 2025 updates added the AMG CLE 53 convertible, powered by a 443-hp turbo six-cylinder engine.
How it compares
Motor Trend (opens in a new tab) says the CLE's main, and arguably only, competitor in the luxury two-door coupe segment is the BMW 4 Series, though the pricier 8 Series coupe could also be considered a rival, and that the 4 Series is equally compelling and slightly more affordable. It says the AMG CLE 53 rewards spirited driving without forgetting how to be a refined grand tourer, at a price that generally undercuts European and Japanese rivals, and that Manufaktur edition models add standard features over a run-of-the-mill CLE53.
Questions buyers ask
What did the Mercedes CLE replace?
Motor Trend (opens in a new tab) says Mercedes-Benz has an all-new vehicle with the CLE-Class, which succeeds the separate C-Class and E-Class coupe and convertible lines.
What is the CLE's main rival?
Motor Trend says the CLE's main, and arguably only, competitor in the luxury two-door coupe segment is the BMW 4 Series.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 3.0L turbo inline-six, both mild hybrid, rated at 255 / 375 / 443 horsepower across its compact luxury coupe body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2027 CLE-Class seats 4 or 5 and is a Compact luxury coupe.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 CLE-Class.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
CLE 300 uses the 255-hp mild-hybrid turbo four; CLE 450 steps up to a 375-hp mild-hybrid turbo six; AMG CLE 53 uses a tuned 443-hp turbo six with both a gas turbo and electric supercharger.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
4 indexed Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 1 | 2027 record → |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 2025 record → | |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 2024 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is a grand tourer which consists of the C236 coupe and the A236 cabriolet that were both launched in 2023 and replaced both the C and E-Class coupes. A performance variant, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 was released and a more powerful CLE 63, is also planned for 2025.
- Equipment
- The CLE has a rounded, single-bar grille with a honeycomb mesh insert and is accompanied by C-Class-style headlights and sporty air intakes. The rear includes LED taillights and an angular boot with an integrated spoiler. There is also a curved bumper that does not have exhaust cutouts.
- Variants
- The engine options of the CLE are shared with its saloon counterpart, the W214 E-Class, all of which feature the 48-volt EQ-boost mild hybrid system. This integrated starter-generator running on the 48-volt electrical system provides a boost of 23 hp and 148 pound-feet through the electric motor.
Source: Mercedes-Benz CLE (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class at a glance
- Production
- October 2023 – present (coupe), April 2024 – present (cabrio)
- Model years
- 2024–present
- Class
- Grand tourer (S)
- Body style
- 2-door coupé, 2-door cabriolet
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (4Matic)
- Platform
- MRA2
- Electric motor
- 23 hp Mitsubishi electric 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG), Permanent magnet Syncronus motor
- Battery
- 48-volt Li-ion (MHEV), 25.4 kWh High voltage Lithium-ion (PHEV)
- Transmission
- 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
- Drivetrain
- Mild hybrid , Plug-in Hybrid (CLE 300e)
- Wheelbase
- 2865 mm
- Length
- 4850 mm
- Width
- 1860 mm
- Height
- 1428 mm
- Predecessor
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (C205 & A205), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C238 & A238)
- Related models
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214)
- Designer
- Balázs Filczer
Year by year
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class across 4 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 22–27 | $2,950–$3,650 | 6 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 22–27 | $2,850–$3,500 | 6 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 22–27 | $2,850–$3,500 | 6 |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 23–28 | $2,750–$3,350 | 5 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 to 2025 | 5 to 6 | 25.5 to 24.5 | Labels: AMG CLE53 4matic Plus (convertible) |
Trim by trim
Every 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE 300 4MATIC | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 255 | 295 | 4,034 | – | 27 | – |
| CLE 450 4MATIC | AWD | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 375 | 369 | 4,255 | – | 26 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2027 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–375 | 4,034–4,255 | – | 17.4 |
| 2026 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–375 | 4,057–4,266 | – | 17.4 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–375 | 4,068–4,277 | – | 17.4 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–375 | 4,068–4,277 | – | 17.4 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Trim ladder
1 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is most often compared with.
Nearest Mercedes-Benz models
Other Mercedes-Benz models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 CLE-Class come in?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class (compact luxury coupe) comes in 3 trims: CLE 300 4MATIC, CLE 450 4MATIC, AMG CLE 53.
Q02What are the 2027 CLE-Class trims?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class trims are CLE 300 4MATIC, CLE 450 4MATIC, AMG CLE 53, listed from the entry CLE 300 4MATIC up to the top AMG CLE 53.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 CLE-Class use?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 3.0L turbo inline-six, both mild hybrid, rated at 255 / 375 / 443 horsepower across its compact luxury coupe body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 CLE-Class have?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is rated at 255 / 375 / 443 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 3.0L turbo inline-six, both mild hybrid).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 CLE-Class?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is offered with Standard AWD (4MATIC).