2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE

Mercedes is taking one more crack at the tried-and-true 2+2 luxury coupe formula with the new-for-2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE. The all-new nameplate is designed to do a few things in one package. Its first job is to replace two cars, the C-Class and E-Class coupes. (A convertible will come later.) The second is to be a more interesting and better-to-drive alternative to the brand's less expensive sedans.

The CLE is a true tweener in that it's bigger than the C-Class coupe in every dimension but smaller than the E-Class in most of them. (The CLE actually offers more shoulder room in the rear and more legroom up front than the E-Class coupe did.) Its exterior dimensions are far closer to the E than the C, but unlike the previous E-Class coupe, the CLE has a door pillar. In the past, Mercedes' more premium 2+2s featured two main side windows and two rear quarter windows that weren't interrupted by a middle roof pillar, but not so in the CLE. It's a small design choice, but one that makes the CLE feel less special from before you even get inside.

On the first day we drove the CLE 300, which is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that kicks out 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive.

Power from the smaller 2.0-liter didn't quite fit the CLE's mission statement, though, and for the second half of our day we swapped into the CLE 450 that ups the ante to a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six producing 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Right away it became clear the bigger engine was the one to have. The extra low-range torque and burlier top-end thrust of the inline-six felt perfectly matched to the CLE's sportier sheetmetal — it simply fits this car's brief more appropriately.

The CLE wasn't exactly built with corner carving in mind. Both the brake pedal and the steering felt too remote, and it was difficult to find faith in the front end, especially when it felt like the car's rear had a mind of its own due to the rear steer. After day one, the CLE came off as a bit of a head-scratcher. A sporty-looking coupe that didn't feel all that, well, sporty.

However, on the second day of driving with the CLE we found a coastal route with long sweepers and long straights — this is where CLE came good. With the optional (and excellent) Burmester stereo with Dolby Atmos thumping away in the background and stunning vistas in front of us, we weren't scratching our heads any longer.

Its skill set might be limited to comfortable cruising, but that is where the CLE 300 and CLE 450 excel. Plus, sportier AMG versions are already on their way, and they'll more than likely take care of the buyers who want something with sharper handling and even more thrust.

The highway-heavy stretches of our drive time gave us the chance to evaluate the CLE's ride, but first a caveat: the car we drove was equipped with an adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering. While the adaptive dampers can adjust the firmness of the ride, and the rear-wheel steering aids low-speed maneuverability, Mercedes says both features won't be available on any CLE in the U.S. regardless of specification.

We're not overly concerned — our CLE test car rode well in any mode, and the suspension controlled the car's mass well without feeling too stiff. The seats also proved to be comfortable, especially in the higher-spec 450 model where they are both heated and cooled. All in all, the CLE is a cushy cruiser that delivers on the Mercedes-Benz tradition of being elegant, comfortable and tech-forward personal 2+2 transportation.

The CLE's interior is essentially the same as the cabin of the redesigned C-Class, and that's fine with us — though we'd be remiss not to mention that the stunning, width-spanning Hyperscreen from the E-Class and S-Class doesn't appear here. You do get a sizable 11.9-inch touchscreen front and center, alongside a 12.3-inch digital driver display. These complement ambient lighting strips on the doors, center console and even the air vents.

In the CLE the copy-and-paste Mercedes interior remains a great-looking place to sit thanks to a decluttered dash, great sightlines and driver-oriented setup. It does fall down in terms of usability, however. Touch-sensitive controls are used for everything from the volume control to the rearview mirror adjusters, and they're both too fiddly and less accurate than more typical physical controls would be. In addition to those concerns, some of the interior plastics, especially those on the doors and below your beltline, felt low-quality and rough to the touch.

The CLE is the second vehicle in Mercedes' lineup — after the new E-Class — to be equipped with the third generation of the excellent MBUX operating system. A digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver and is flanked by a portrait-style center display that controls almost all of the car's major functions. Everything from maps to music and even Angry Birds (not kidding) is controlled by the center screen. Despite being relatively menu-heavy, the interface itself is darn simple to use and presents almost none of the learning curve of the old MBUX systems.

In terms of advanced safety features, the CLE will come standard with forward collision warning and lane keeping assistance. Every other function — from adaptive cruise control to blind-spot warning and lane centering assistance — is bundled into the Driver Assistance package.