CLE Coupé

Released November 2023

Mercedes-Benz's two-door, four-seat coupé (C236) that replaced the C-Class and E-Class coupés, sold in the UK as petrol and diesel mild hybrids, including the six-cylinder CLE 450 4MATIC, and as the CLE 300 e plug-in hybrid, suited to buyers who want a comfortable grand tourer.

Body: Coupé
Powertrain: Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power: 194–375 bhp
Range: 70 mi
Boot: 420 l

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the CLE is a quiet, comfortable long-distance cruiser with more room in the back than most coupés. The common criticisms are interior quality that falls short in places and a drive that is relaxed rather than exciting; Auto Express wanted a more settled ride and found the diesel not special enough for the price.

From autocar.co.uk, autoexpress.co.uk, whatcar.com and parkers.co.uk

Specifications

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Performance

Powertrain: Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power: 194–375 bhp
0–62 mph: 4.4–7.5 s
Top speed: 147–155 mph
Engine or motors: CLE 200: 1,999 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol, 150 kW (204 hp) plus 17 kW (23 hp) mild-hybrid motor; CLE 220 d: 1,993 cc four-cylinder diesel, 145 kW (197 hp) plus 17 kW; CLE 300 4MATIC: 1,999 cc four-cylinder petrol, 190 kW (258 hp) plus 17 kW; CLE 450 4MATIC: 2,999 cc six-cylinder petrol, 280 kW (381 hp) plus 17 kW; CLE 300 e: 150 kW (204 hp) petrol plus 95 kW electric motor, 313 hp system output; bhp converted from Mercedes' kW figures
Torque: 320 Nm (CLE 200), 440 Nm (CLE 220 d), 400 Nm (CLE 300 4MATIC), 500 Nm (CLE 450 4MATIC); 550 Nm system (CLE 300 e)
Gearbox: 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic
Drive: Rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive (4MATIC) on the CLE 300 4MATIC and CLE 450 4MATIC

Range and charging

Zero-emission range (WLTP): 70 miles
Battery: 19.53 kWh
Economy (WLTP): 36.7–60.2 mpg
Range detail: CLE 300 e: 70 miles WLTP electric range (EAER); 19.53 kWh usable battery; 11 kW AC charging, 0–100% in 2 hours
Efficiency: WLTP combined: 43.5 mpg (CLE 200), 60.2 mpg (CLE 220 d), 40.4 mpg (CLE 300 4MATIC), 36.7 mpg (CLE 450 4MATIC)
CO2 emissions: 148 g/km (CLE 200), 124 g/km (CLE 220 d), 159 g/km (CLE 300 4MATIC), 176 g/km (CLE 450 4MATIC), 50 g/km (CLE 300 e)

Practicality

Body: Coupé
Seats: 4
Boot: 420 litres
Length: 4,850 mm
Width: 1,861 mm
Weight: From 1,825 kg
Boot: 420 litres; 290 litres (CLE 300 e)
Towing: 1,800 kg braked, 750 kg unbraked
Size: 4,850 mm long, 1,861 mm wide without mirrors (2,042 mm with); 1,423 mm high (1,422 mm CLE 300/450 4MATIC, 1,429 mm CLE 300 e); 11.2 m turning circle (11.7 m CLE 300/450 4MATIC); kerb weight 1,825 kg (CLE 200), 1,905 kg (CLE 220 d), 1,880 kg (CLE 300 4MATIC), 1,950 kg (CLE 450 4MATIC), 2,175 kg (CLE 300 e); 66-litre fuel tank (50 litres CLE 300 e)

Pros and cons

Pros

CLE 220 d returns 60.2 mpg WLTP combined
420-litre boot
CLE 300 e plug-in hybrid has a 70-mile WLTP electric range

Cons

Four seats only
No electric version; the CLE 300 e's boot drops to 290 litres
Braked towing limit of 1,800 kg

Closest rivals

Model	Body	Powertrain	Power	Range	Boot	Released
BMWM2	Coupé	Petrol	473 bhp	–	390 l	Apr 2023
BMW2 Series Coupé	Coupé	Petrol, Mild hybrid	181–386 bhp	–	390 l	Mar 2022
BMWM4 Coupé	Coupé	Petrol	523–543 bhp	–	440 l	Mar 2021

Sources

Photo: media.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com

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