2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 Coupe Review

Talk about love at first sight.  I’ve always been attracted to Mercedes-Benz coupes, and the bigger the better.  For me, there is just something beautiful about them.  So, what Mercedes did is take the E-class coupe and the C-Class coupe and mate them so to speak, to produce the CLE coupe.  To make it even better, there is an AMG version.  What I have for you this week is the stunning AMG CLE 53.  With a little luck, there will be an AMG CLE 63 in my future with even more horsepower.

Exterior  

What makes this coupe so attractive?  Distinctive, flowing lines and flared front and rear fenders highlight the car's muscular stance, and I love the roofline. 

From the front, there is an AMG-specific grill, new headlights, and a bulging hood with a heat extractor built-in.  The 20” wheels are stunning, and this beauty sits low and wide with the rear being wider than the front. 

There is a small spoiler on the rear, quad exhaust, and the famous Mercedes-Benz star on the back that doubles as the trunk opener when you press the top of it.  My tester came in Starling Blue Metallic, and it is a gorgeous color.

Performance

Under the hood is an AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering robust performance and efficiency.​  It is putting out 443-horses and 413-pound feet of torque.  It features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, providing an additional boost of 23 horsepower and 151-pound feet of torque during acceleration. 

It utilizes both an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric auxiliary compressor for improved throttle response and power delivery.  It is mated to a quick-shifting 9-speed automatic with shift paddles.  It is also a 4Matic, which is Benz speak for all-wheel drive.

Interior  

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 combines luxury with performance-oriented design, featuring advanced technology and high-quality materials and that is evident from the minute you open the door.  Soft-touch materials surround you starting with the door panels and continuing across the dash, and carbon fiber trim surrounding the center console looks terrific. As you sit down, sport seats upholstered in Nappa leather upholstery are bolstered, heated, have power lumbar supports, and they both have memory settings.  Up high are embossed AMG logos on the large front headrests.

The flat-bottomed AMG Performance steering wheel is wrapped in Nappa leather, it includes buttons and AMG-specific controls to configure the 12.3-inch digital driver display that provides customizable information, with different display styles that include Classic, Sport, and Supersport modes. There are two round knobs on the steering wheel that are part of the AMG Drive unit.  The Left Knob is the Drive Mode, and you can choose from Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual.  The right nob controls custom functions such as suspension stiffness (AMG Ride Control), exhaust sound (quieter or louder), traction control level, manual gear shifting mode, and the start/stop on/off toggle.

Center dash is an 11.9-inch touchscreen central multimedia display, slightly angled towards the driver, and it operates the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system. 

It is reminiscent of an iPad mounted on the dash. This system controls voice commands and includes apps for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Spotify. ​ You also control the Burmeister 3D Surround Sound System, the advanced Surround View 360° Camera system, SiriusXM, Bluetooth for your cell phone, the climate controls, and vehicle settings.  You can even play Sudoku from there.  The system is fast in very intuitive.  Check out the Performance Page, it’s slick and has a large timer to prove it will do 0-to-60 in 4 flat.

The center console features two USB-C ports and a wireless phone charger that you can hide behind a sliding door.  Your elbows rest on a very soft cover with a deep compartment underneath to store things, and there are two more USB-Cs in there as well.​

Back seat room was larger than I expected, but still only suitable for two people that are not overly large. Headroom is always sacrificed with the swooping roof, but legroom seemed OK. Back seat passengers get their own air vents, a USB-C for charging, and a pull-down armrest with cup holders.

The trunk space is good-sized at 14.5-cubic feet, it has a very wide opening, and the back seats fold down for longer items, or just more storage if needed.  There is more storage underneath the trunk floor as well, and there you will find the tire repair kit and air compressor.

Standard Features, Options and Safety  

This is a Mercedes, so it comes with notable standard features that include: the navigation system, heated power front seats with memory controls, remote keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice activation, a panoramic moon roof, five USB ports, Nappa leather seats, and 44-color ambient lighting.  

You also get LED headlights and taillights, active parking assist, and the heated washer system.

Options on this coupe include the 20” wheels ($850), AMG Performance Sound that pumps engine noise through the speakers ($550), a heated steering wheel ($250), Advance USB package ($350) and the Driver Assistance package ($1,950)., which is the semi-self- driving system and includes Adaptive cruise control, Active Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.

In the safety department, it has blind spot monitoring, active emergency brake assist, rear seat reminder, surround view camera, electronic stability control, and keyless go.

Ride and Drive  

Driving characteristics are great, steering is precise with good feedback and the car is incredibly quiet inside.  Acceleration is very good, especially in sport mode. This car just absolutely feels solid and very well-built.  I’m not sure why anyone would want the fake exhaust sound option, this car with a straight six and a turbo could easily have a terrific sound from the quad pipes.

One other big thing for me that adds function and pleasure to the driving experience is the rear-axle steering system.  The rear wheels can turn up to 2.5 degrees, and the direction they turn depends on your speed.  At lower speeds under 37 miles per hour the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. This shrinks the turning radius, making tight maneuvers like U-turns and parking easier.  At higher speeds, over 37, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels.  This adds stability when changing lanes quickly, and when cornering.

When you come to a stop, if you push a little harder on the brake, the brake hold will kick in allowing you to take your foot off the brake.  When you touch the gas, the brakes release.  This is a feature you will absolutely love when you get used to using it.   

You’ll get 20 miles per gallon in town and 27 on the highway, really good mileage for a fast, large, luxury car.  

Verdict

MSRP is $81,190 and to me for what you get, how beautiful and luxurious this car is, and how well it drives, I have no quarrel with that price.  You’ll realize what a great value this car is after driving it and looking at all the things it will do.