The Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Coupé: A New Chapter in Coupé Luxury

Images and article by Jameel Ismail (@What.James.Drives)

Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Coupé, the car that now carries the torch for an entire generation of two-door Benzes, and I had the privilege of living with it for about a week. It’s something that blends heritage, performance, and luxury in one beautifully sculpted form.

You see, Mercedes-Benz has a proud history of creating coupés that don’t just get you from A to B – they make you feel something along the way. Since the 1950s, these cars have embodied style, sophistication, and that intangible sense of grace that makes you turn around for one more look after parking. Think of the old 220SE Coupés, the W123S, the glorious C124S of the ’90s – they were machines that symbolised aspiration.

Owning one wasn’t just about mobility; it was about achievement. But times have changed. Markets evolve. And Mercedes, like all modern brands, has to scrutinise its range. Where there were once C-, E-, and S-Class Coupés, each with its own loyal followers, Mercedes decided to consolidate and bring the best of all those worlds into a single, more focused model. The result? The CLE-Class.

Now, what exactly does “Coupé-Luxury” mean in 2025? It signifies combining the sporty feel of a C-Class with the luxury of an E-Class. A vehicle that is agile enough for a winding mountain road but refined enough to arrive at a five-star hotel without feeling out of place. The CLE range comprises both the Coupé and the Cabriolet, and both are manufactured in Bremen alongside the AMG SL, which underscores the pedigree behind their production.

This isn’t a hurried experiment; it’s the deliberate development of a philosophy Mercedes has honed for decades.

Design

The first thing that catches your eye about the CLE300 Coupé is its proportions. It’s elegant yet muscular, with a long bonnet, a short rear deck, and beautifully sculpted shoulders. You can see hints of the classic Mercedes coupés here, but everything feels tighter, sharper, and more deliberate. 

The front end features that distinctive grille, flanked by digital LED headlights that appear to squint slightly, like a cat poised to pounce. On the side, the character line smoothly sweeps from the front fender to the rear haunches, creating that timeless grand touring silhouette. When viewed from behind, those slim LED taillights stretch elegantly across the rear, subtly accentuating width and a sense of stability. 

It’s easy to dismiss coupés as impractical, a long-standing belief that many men debated with their more rational partners, but Mercedes clearly aimed to challenge that view. By increasing the wheelbase by 25 millimetres over the C-Class, the CLE provides more interior space and, surprisingly, a larger boot, 420 litres to be exact. 

That’s 60 litres more than the outgoing C-Class Coupé, which is a noticeable improvement. While the rear seats are still best suited for your smaller friends or younger passengers, the Easy-Entry system makes accessing them less of a yoga class than before.

The Interior 

Step inside, and you’re greeted by an interior that combines modern digital luxury with traditional Mercedes durability. You have the 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment screen, running the latest MBUX system. It’s the same software used in the C- and S-Class models; it’s straightforward, intuitive, and surprisingly adaptable. Then there’s the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which displays everything from navigation to performance data with crisp, OLED-like clarity. 

What I loved, though, is that Mercedes hasn’t forgotten about tactility. The way the switchgear clicks, the softness of the leather, the brushed metal accents – all feel cohesive. It seems like every element has been carefully considered. If you’re an audiophile, the optional Burmester 3D Surround System elevates the experience, complete with integrated speakers inside the seat headrests.

Powertrain 

Now, let’s discuss performance because beneath that sculpted bonnet lies the heart of what makes this car special. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine powers the CLE300 Coupé, generating 190 kilowatts and 400 Newton-metres of torque. It’s combined with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system and a 9-speed automatic transmission that’s as smooth as it is decisive. On paper, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, but the way it delivers that speed is what matters most. 

There’s a fluid and adaptable quality to the power delivery, and thanks to the 48-volt mild-hybrid system, an additional 17 kW and 205 Nm are available when needed. That mild-hybrid tech doesn’t just boost power; it also smooths out stop/start transitions and helps reduce fuel consumption. During my time behind the wheel, I averaged around 9.5 litres per hundred kilometres, which is quite reasonable for a coupé that’s this poised and capable.

On the Road 

This is where the CLE300 truly proves its worth. With sport suspension as standard, featuring firmer dampers and a slightly lower ride height, the car remains flatter through corners and feels agile without sacrificing comfort. There’s a great sense of balance here. It’s not as raw as a BMW 4-Series, but it doesn’t aim to be. 

Instead, it’s refined, reliable, and composed, the sort of car that encourages you to drive smoothly, efficiently, and with confidence. From behind the wheel, you sit low, almost cocooned, with the bonnet stretching ahead like a sculpture in motion. The steering, electrically aided but finely tuned, gives you just enough feedback to make you feel connected. 

And then there’s that 4MATIC system. In the wet, through fast corners, or even just powering out of a roundabout, it’s confidence-inspiring. You can feel the car shifting torque smoothly, keeping you planted without ever feeling clinical. It’s a coupé that reminds you that luxury and driving pleasure aren’t mutually exclusive.

Comparisons 

Of course, the elephant in the room is the BMW 440i xDrive Coupé. It’s faster, has that buttery smooth six-cylinder engine, and a sportier soundtrack. Yes, it’s a more visceral experience. But where the BMW feels brash, the Mercedes feels composed. 

It’s less about outright performance and more about refinement in execution. The CLE300 isn’t a loud car; it’s an assured one. It doesn’t need to prove itself, it just is, and if you’re the type of driver who values sophistication over aggression, calm over chaos, this is your coupé.

Technology and Refinement

Mercedes has packed all its latest technology into the CLE. You get adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, active steering, automatic parking, augmented-reality navigation – it’s all here.

But what truly impresses is the cohesion of it all. The systems feel integrated, not intrusive. Yes, the safety tech can sometimes seem a little overbearing, with the occasional beep or nudge. Tweak the vehicle’s settings, and you should be able to personalise this experience, but that’s the trade-off for a car that appears almost impossibly aware of its surroundings.

And while the Cabriolet version offers the same luxury with open-top appeal, it comes with compromises – an extra 130 kilograms of weight and slightly more body flex. That’s why, personally, I would choose the Coupé every time. It’s lighter, sharper, more focused, and the purest expression of what the CLE represents.

Pricing and Value

In South Africa, the CLE 300 Coupé AMG Line is priced at approximately R1.2 million, including a five-year, 100,000-km maintenance plan. It’s not cheap, but then again, true luxury never is.

When you consider the craftsmanship, technology, and sheer sophistication of the experience, it begins to make sense. Mercedes isn’t just selling a car; it’s selling an experience. The CLE300 Coupé is a statement of intent, a declaration that the era of the stylish two-door isn’t over yet.

My Final Thoughts

In a world where SUVs dominate and sedans are gradually fading from sight, the CLE300 Coupé feels like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of what motoring used to be about. It’s not the quickest, it’s not the loudest, and it’s not attempting to reinvent the wheel. But it’s beautifully engineered, meticulously finished, and unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. For those of us who still value the art of driving – the weight of the steering, the balance of a well-tuned chassis, the satisfaction of closing a solidly-built door – this car speaks our language.

It’s a car designed for the discerning driver, someone who values how they arrive just as much as where they’re going. The Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Coupé is not merely a successor to the C- or E-Class Coupés; it serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation, between form and function, between emotion and engineering. In that delicate balance lies its brilliance. 

After two decades of observing Mercedes develop, merge, and reinvent its coupé range, here’s the key point: The CLE300 Coupé isn’t just another model; it’s a milestone. It embodies the essence of legends, the precision of modern engineering, and the elegance that makes Mercedes… well, Mercedes. If you’re fortunate enough to spend time behind its wheel, take a moment. 

Look out over that sculpted bonnet. Feel the quiet hum of the turbo-four, the seamless glide of that nine-speed box, and the serenity of a car that’s been designed not just to move you – but to move you, and the grace that makes Mercedes… well, Mercedes. If you’re lucky enough to spend time behind its wheel, take a moment. Look out over that sculpted bonnet. Feel the quiet hum of the turbo-four, the seamless glide of that nine-speed box, and the serenity of a car that’s been designed not just to move you – but to move you.