2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4MATIC Cabriolet Evaluation

In a world during which higher numbers of motorists than ever are predisposed to purchase SUVs, American producers have all however deserted the automobile. Chevrolet has one automobile left on its roster—the Malibu. Ford can be down to 1 automobile—the

Mustang
. Cadillac is all the way down to a pair—CT4 and CT, Buick’s lineup is all SUVs. Chrysler is all minivans and Dodge has however one automobile — the brand new Charger. What’s extra, a big swath of builders whose identities as soon as represented the very antithesis of SUVs—sure, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini, we’re you—have embraced them.

Whereas most Asian producers are nonetheless constructing fairly a couple of automobiles, it would come as one thing of a shock that drop tops as candy because the Mercedes CLE Cabriolets nonetheless exist. In any case, even the Asian builders have just about turned away from four-seat convertibles. With that stated, with a purpose to survive, the CLE bridges the divide between Mercedes’ C- and E-Class two-doors. Luckily, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet stays, each inch, a Mercedes-Benz product.

With a purpose to offer you an sincere and unbiased overview, I drove the automobile reviewed on this article each day all through the course of day by day life for a interval of 1 week. For detailed perception into testing procedures and knowledge assortment, please overview our methodology coverage.

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC CabrioletFirst Impressions

Lengthy, low, modern and swoopy, the CLE Cabriolet can be a really fairly automobile—a reality upon which there’s common settlement. Pleasantly able to ocular incarceration, the CLE Cabriolet is simply as engaging with its roof deployed as it’s with the highest stowed away. That’s factor too, as a result of the CLE-Class Mercedes Cabriolet is now the only two-door four-seat convertible providing within the marque’s lineup. What’s extra, the CLE Cabriolet is one among however two remaining convertibles within the MBZ lineup—interval. The opposite being the SL-Class roadster.

Even with its unmistakable Mercedes styling, the CLE provides quite a few exterior cues touting its provenance. Look carefully on the grille; the three-pointed star repeats extra occasions than I cared to depend. The identical is true of the entrance decrease valence. The headlight housings are signed “Mercedes-Benz” too.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Efficiency

One of many issues I’ve at all times admired about automobiles from Mercedes is their “sleeper” nature. Wanting on the CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet, you may get the impression it’s a genteel motorcar. Luxurious to make certain, however its efficiency potential isn’t overtly telegraphed.

In the meantime, the three.0-liter turbocharged straight six underneath the hood is able to producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive and a nine-speed computerized transmission are additionally integrated into its drivetrain, which is supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system.

The result’s simply over four-seconds zero to 60 runs. Getting again to the 48-volt hybrid system for a second, its electrical motor can be set as much as silently crank the CLE’s engine at startup. Thus, whenever you press the beginning button, the three.0-liter straight six spins into life with out the cranking noise of a conventional starter motor.

Underway, you’d be hard-pressed to say the CLE 450 Cabriolet is a convertible. There’s no physique flex and the windshield is totally freed from cowl shake. Consequently, the stiff platform helps the CLE go like a GT automobile on twisty again roads. Steering is exact, gear modifications are seamless, braking is solidly reassuring and the ultra-smooth powertrain delivers what appears to be limitless thrust.

Wind noise is minimal, with the roof deployed or folded away. The previous is owed to the Mercedes AIRCAP system, which contains a spoiler constructed into the windshield body. That is paired with a windscreen, which rises from behind the rear passenger seats. The spoiler deflects the slipstream above the cabin, whereas the display blocks turbulence from the rear. Activate AIRCAP, increase the home windows, and it’s virtually just like the automobile is operating with the roof closed.

Efficiency Specs

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 Gas Economic system

EPA fuel mileage estimates are 23 MPG within the metropolis, 32 on the freeway and 26 mixed. I beat that mixed quantity with 27 MPG over a mixture of metropolis streets, freeways and again street driving. That’s fairly good whenever you’re speaking a couple of luxuriously geared up all-wheel-drive coupe with just below 400 horsepower.

Inside Design And Consolation

Tastefully opulent, the CLE’s inside design radiates cash—albeit in a classy method. After all, it helps that the looks of almost each different up to date Mercedes passenger compartment is analogous. You’ll really feel proper at house in the event you’ve been in a Mercedes recently.

With that stated, the CLE’s seats have been all new for the 2024 mannequin 12 months. Handsomely sculpted, they incorporate Mercedes’ AIRSCARF system, which blows heat air on the again of your neck to assist make top-down driving extra comfy in cooler climates. And, in truth, AIRSCARF could be very efficient when activated along with the AIRCAP system.

Each comfy and supportive, the seats are additionally heated—as commonplace tools. My check automobile’s seats have been fitted with the elective air flow and therapeutic massage too. “My” CLE Cabriolet additionally had the elective leather-based upholstery, relatively than the MB-Tex high-end vinyl, which is commonplace. Legroom is greater than adequate for front-seat passengers, whereas these seated within the rear will depend on the generosity of front-seat passengers for the quantity of legroom they’ll take pleasure in.

Inside Dimensions

Know-how And Ease Of Use

A 12.3-inch, horizontally oriented, reconfigurable digital monitor behind the steering wheel retains tabs on the CLE’s working parameters. In the meantime, an 11.9-inch vertical touchscreen serves because the interface for the MBUX infotainment system. Borrowing a web page from the SL’s design transient, the angle of the touchscreen will be adjusted to reduce glare when the roof is folded. MBUX capabilities will be accessed by touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel too.

The infotainment system additionally responds to voice instructions, which will be activated by saying, “Hey Mercedes.” A seventeen-speaker Burmester encompass audio system is commonplace, as is a sixty-four-color ambient lighting system.

The present iteration of the MBUX working system helps TikTok, Offended Birds, Webex and Zoom as native apps. Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal are additionally handled natively. Wi-fi

Apple CarPlay
and Android compatibility are commonplace too. Driver help options embody automated emergency braking, lane-keeping help and a driver-attention monitor. “My” CLE was additionally fitted with elective driver help upgrades, which introduced adaptive cruise management and blind spot monitoring. The automobile additionally had a reconfigurable head-up show.

Cargo And Storage Area

As it’s maybe to be anticipated, the CLE Cabriolet’s skill to supply open-air driving comes on the expense of trunk house. The place the CLE Coupe provides some 14.8 cubic ft, the effectively into which the Cabriolet’s roof retreats consumes some 5.2 cubic ft of the trunk. Nonetheless, the ensuing 9.6 cubes are adequate for a pair’s tender baggage weekend getaway. And sure, the requisite pair of golf baggage may even match. Inside, the standard array of door pockets, heart console storage and cubbies will be discovered.

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 Cabriolet Vs. Its Competitor

With all of the attrition on this class—together with the latest demise of the Audi A5 Cabriolet—the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet has however one direct competitor, BMW’s M440i xDrive Convertible. The one different choices that come shut are the Lexus LC convertible, which prices some $30,000 extra and the Ford Mustang GT Convertible, which prices some $20,000 much less. Thus, neither of these fashions could possibly be thought-about direct competitors.

How The Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet Compares to the BMW M440i xDrive Convertible

• 	2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE	2025 BMW M440i
  Make	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
  Mannequin	CLE	M440i xDrive
  Engine	2L I4 Hybrid	3.0L BMW M TwinPower Turbo Inline 6-Cylinder, Gasoline, Delicate Hybrid
  Transmission	9-speed computerized	8-Velocity Steptronic Sport Automated
  Horsepower	255 HP @5800 RPM	386 hp
  Torque	295 lb.-ft. @ 2000 RPM	398 lb-ft
  Driveline	All-Wheel Drive	xDrive All-Wheel Drive

Unburdened with Mercedes’ popularity for offering an opulent driving expertise, the BMW M440i Convertible is way extra performance-oriented than the Merc. Now, this isn’t to say the BMW is missing facilities. In truth, it’s each good-looking and properly geared up.

Nevertheless, the BMW can be extra highly effective than the Mercedes and handles higher. Consequently, it provides a extra rewarding driving expertise for these for whom efficiency is a higher consideration. However, the Mercedes does supply a quieter top-down expertise and a suppler journey.

Then once more, whereas the BMW M440i Convertible makes do with an eight-speed transmission—in comparison with the Mercedes’ nine-speed—its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six serves up 386 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. Just like the Mercedes, the BMW employs a 48-volt hybrid system and BMW quotes sub-four-second zero to 60 occasions for its drop high four-seater. Remarkably, the BMW returns higher gas financial system than the Mercedes, with a 30-MPG mixed EPA ranking. Its agility can be superior to that of the CLE.

Our Advice For Which Mannequin You Ought to Purchase

Finally, the distinction between the 2 automobiles comes from the best way their dominant traits are prioritized. The BMW M440i Convertible is extra sports activities automobile than an opulent convertible, though it’s fairly good inside. In the meantime, the Mercedes is a extra luxurious convertible than a sports activities automobile, though it performs admirably.

Thus, your selection will largely rely on the best way your dominant traits are prioritized. The BMW will serve you effectively if sheer driving pleasure is foremost in your record of priorities. Nevertheless, you’ll most likely be happier within the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet if fashion and luxury matter extra to you than sheer efficiency potential.