2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe

Mercedes-Benz introduced its new CLE coupe and convertible last year. It slots into the brand's roster between the C-Class and E-Class lineup and is meant to be a more engaging-to-drive car than the sedans. For 2025, Mercedes adding a new performance version for the convertible called the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet.

What's under the CLE's hood?

Overall, the CLE is a better car than the two that came before it, but when I tested a CLE 450 coupe, I wasn't bowled over by the driving dynamics. The standard CLE is a comfortable and quiet car, but it wasn't very sporty or engaging. That's where AMG — Mercedes' storied performance division — steps in.

We've already been able to drive the CLE 53 Coupe, and the Cabriolet follows the same template. Like the CLE 450, the AMG CLE 53 uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six good for 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, though the engine can provide up to 443 lb-ft of torque for 10-second intervals using overboost.

Like the coupe, the CLE 53 Cabriolet has a wider track and, therefore, wider bodywork than the standard CLE. The distance between the wheels has been increased by 2.3 inches up front and a full 3 inches in the rear. Not only does that improve handling and stability in a corner, but it also gives the Cabriolet a sportier and more purposeful presence than the non-AMG model. An adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive, and rear-axle steering are standard too.

The car I drove was fitted with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package, a worthwhile upgrade if you plan to do any spirited driving in this car. The package includes larger brakes, which is interesting because the AMG CLE 53 already had larger brakes than the standard CLE. There's also a new drive mode (Race), which itself includes Race Start (launch control) and a Drift mode that will send most of the car's power to the rear wheels for some tail-out shenanigans.

How does the CLE drive?

The AMG CLE 53 doesn't feel wholly different from the standard car; it's just dialed in a little better. Convertibles might bring to mind sunshine and warm weather, but as a former Michigan resident, I can tell you that convertibles can be just as enjoyable in colder, wetter weather, too. Mercedes knows this, so it's created features like the Airscarf neck warmer and Aircap wind deflector, both of which are standard. If you have the side windows up, there's so little wind blowing in the cabin that you can have a conversation with a passenger without having to shout. Plus, with the top down, you get a much better appreciation for the engine's silky exhaust note.

This inline-six has been around for a few years now, though it's still one of the best turbocharged six-cylinders around. Power is smooth and immediate. There's plenty of power for passing the occasional slow-moving delivery van. You can raise the top while moving (up to about 37 mph), but where's the fun in that?

The AMG CLE 53's steering feels sharper and more direct than the CLE 450's. It doesn't offer Porsche levels of feedback, but it's weighted well and doesn't require much effort to hustle through quick corners. The rear-axle steering helps a lot, and the system feels more natural than some rear-axle systems I've tried. Below 60 mph, the rear wheels turn opposite to the front to help tighten the turning radius. Above 60 mph, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front for improved high-speed stability. There were a few tight decreasing-radius turns where I was glad for the extra steering assist.

While it was a bit stiffer than the CLE 450, I found the AMG CLE 53 comfortable and compliant on the road. AMG's adaptive air suspension does wonders for ride quality. Potholes and cracks are smoothed over well, even in the stiffest, most aggressive setting. In its Comfort mode, the suspension mutes out everything but the most uneven pavement.

Competitors to consider

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet starts at $83,750, including $1,150 for destination. That's $6,800 more than a CLE 450 Cabriolet and $8,300 more than a CLE 53 Coupe. It splits the difference in price and performance between a BMW M440i and M4, cars that aren't quite as premium or comfortable as the CLE. A Porsche 718 Boxster S comes close in terms of both price and performance, but it's not nearly as comfortable and doesn't offer as much utility as the larger, more spacious Mercedes.

The CLE 53 is truly a car you can enjoy all year-round on any type of road. It's a fantastic touring car with the top down and Airscarf going, but a few rotations of the drive mode knob and the CLE can get serious. There are better-handling convertibles out there, but few are as well rounded as this new AMG.