Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe Review

17 November 2024

The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 takes the CLE formula and dials it up to eleven.

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 exudes an unmistakable presence. It’s the kind of car that makes you stop mid-stride and do a double-take.

With its AMG badge, it carries an expectation of performance, but this isn’t a full-fat 63. Instead, the CLE53 finds its sweet spot somewhere between outright aggression and refined composure, a balancing act that promises a lot on paper.

A Coupe On A Protein Diet

The CLE53 begins life as the standard CLE coupe. Then it gets a dose of AMG steroids. Wider tracks (58mm in the front and a beefy 75mm at the rear) necessitate muscular arches to house those chunky 295-section rear tyres.

The result is a stance that harks back to the C63 AMG Coupe of old, but with a modern flair.

Optional matte paints and blackline trims only add to the visual drama. It looks ready to pounce even when it’s standing still, a quality that few cars truly master.

With A V8 Shorn Of Its Glory

Let’s get this out of the way – no, there’s no V8 under the bonnet. Instead, you’ll find a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six paired with a mild-hybrid system.

While that’s a mouthful, the specs are respectable: 429bhp, 520Nm of torque, and an additional 22bhp from the electric motor for short bursts.

It’s an engine we’ve seen across the Mercedes lineup, tuned here to fit AMG’s vision. Mercedes claims a century sprint of 4.2 seconds.

There Is Calm Amidst The Chaos

The beauty of the CLE 53 lies in its adaptability. Around town, it’s a serene cruiser. The engine purrs quietly, and the cabin remains an oasis of calm.

It’s everything you’d want from a Mercedes coupe: refined, elegant, and comfortable.

But dial up the drive mode, and the beast awakens. The steering tightens, the suspension stiffens, and the engine note deepens.

Changes to the steel springs’ rates, damper loads and chassis kinematics have all been designed to sharpen responses, deliver more feedback and offer more control.

On winding roads, the CLE53 showcases confidence-inspiring grip. Yet, it never felt too eager or twitchy, maintaining a sense of control that encourages you to push harder.

But There’s Still The Ghost Of AMG Past

Where the CLE 53 struggles most is in its attempts to emulate the ferocity and visceral thrill of its V8 ancestors. Gone is the deep rumble that would stir your soul as you blip the throttle. Instead, the CLE53 offers a smooth, somewhat muted soundtrack. Functional, but far from evocative.

Despite power delivery lacking the necessary drama, the mid-range torque is sufficient for spirited driving. On tighter, twistier roads, the CLE 53 feels more at home. The rear-wheel steering system helps shrink the car’s footprint, allowing for sharper turn-ins and a livelier rear end.

However, on open roads, its 2,000kg kerb weight becomes apparent. It handles confidently but without the nimbleness or raw feedback of, say, a BMW M4.

At Least The Cabin’s Nice

Carbon fibre accents galore on the inside, alongside a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and luxurious leather appointments. The cabin tech is robust, featuring the latest MBUX system, though the myriad of options can feel overwhelming. You can even configure the instrument display to an uninterpretable mess if you wish.

The optional AMG sports seats look and feel the part, and rear passengers are quite comfortable too… if they don’t have legs.

A Coupe For Every Occasion

The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 isn’t trying to be a one-trick pony. It’s a car designed to cater to a wide audience, from those seeking comfort and luxury to drivers craving a taste of AMG performance.

Whether you’re cruising along the highway or carving up mountain roads, the CLE53 adapts to your mood.

Is it perfect? Not quite. But at least Mercedes is on the right path.

Technical Specifications