The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE53 Cabriolet Is A Stately Speedster
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet – MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno (European model shown)
Yet at 4,597 pounds, you never forget how much weight the engine's being asked to push around, making it handle less like a sportster than a heavy sedan. And there's nothing wrong with that. A week's test proved a delightful and satisfying experience.
What's new for 2025?
For 2025, the CLE lineup expands with the addition of this convertible model, replacing the coupe's hardtop with a multi-layer soft top. This roof can retract and stow beneath a pop-up tonneau cover in about 20 seconds, meaning it's theoretically possible to raise or lower at stop lights, but it's best to pull over.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet – MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno (European model shown)
The Cabriolet features slightly softer suspension tuning than the coupe, though it retains key performance components such as adaptive dampers and rear-wheel steering.
Looks
Visually, the CLE53 distinguishes itself with aggressive styling cues while still maintaining an upscale, refined appearance. It looks fast while standing still and turned many heads during its test.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet – MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno (European model shown)
Inside, and tech
Inside, the 2025 model comes equipped with comfort upgrades including a power-operated wind deflector, neck warmers for front-seat occupants and an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that tilts forward and backward to reduce glare when the top is down. That's a great innovation, as anyone who has ever tried to see a drowned-out screen when competing with the sun knows.
Nappa leather upholstery is available as an option along with the AMG Performance Seat package which adds more aggressively bolstered front bucket seats.
To minimize wind buffeting with the top down, the CLE53 Cabriolet includes a power-operated wind deflector that deploys behind the rear-seat headrests. Integrated neck warmers in the front seats provide added comfort on cooler days. I don't know about you, but I love convertibles so much that I'll put a top down when it's 20 degrees out while wearing a ski hat and the heat blasting, so the neck warmers are another great touch.
The Cabriolet provides 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space with the top up, shrinking to 10.0 cubic feet when the roof is stowed. The dash is particularly fab-looking with its racing flavor including carbon-fiber trim, microfiber upholstery, a flat-bottom steering wheel and red stitching. The kids'll love it.
Tech
A 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen rises from the center console to meet a trio of air vents at the top of the dashboard, serving as the focal point for Mercedes's latest MBUX software. A separate 12.3-inch digital display sits ahead of the driver, providing configurable gauge readouts.
Users can interact with the infotainment system via the touchscreen or through touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. However, the steering wheel buttons can be unintuitive - you need to look them up to really understand what each does. 'Hey, Mercedes' initiates enough assistance to get you through the basics.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet – MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno (European model shown)
This latest version of MBUX comes with native apps like TikTok, Angry Birds, Webex, and Zoom along with built-in support for Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, but I never use them as I'd like to keep my personal information to myself. I connect with Bluetooth and leave it at that.
More about the engine
A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive come standard. AMG has refined the CLE's adaptive suspension system, too, tailoring it for a more performance-focused driving experience when you want/need it. The setup includes progressively firmer tuning in the Sport and Sport+ modes. You'll get from 0-60 in about 4.1 seconds. Mileage is around a not-bad 25 MPG city/highway combined.
The Drive
It's a thrilling blastoff, but it's less ferocious-sounding than other AMGs I've tested. No one will hear you coming down the block as with some sports cars. Cornering was satisfactory as was braking during a trip down Bear Mountain, but you don't feel the urge to really blast it, partly because of the slightly muted, non-agressive exhaust note and partly because the car's so heavy. It doesn't mean it's not a delightful experience whether joyriding or going to the store.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet – MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno (European model shown)
Pricing
The price of the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE-Class starts at $75,450 and goes up to $85,800 depending on the trim and options. Go for the Pinnacle trim and you'll get the works - a head-up display, an augmented-reality nav system, upgraded headlamps and access to more third-party apps via the MBUX infotainment system.
Room for improvement
There's a slight hesitation when you step on the accelerator and at first you may think 'Am I in neutral?' This is also the first vehicle I've ever tested where if I sing in the car, or talk to myself, the software thinks I'm talking to it - and answers. Saying 'Hey, Mercedes, don't talk' fixed it, but I had to say it a lot.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The CLE53 comes standard with automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and a driver-attention monitor. A forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist also come with. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring are options.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mercedes-AMG provides competitive limited and powertrain warranties but doesn't offer complimentary scheduled maintenance. A limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles and a powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles.
Conclusion: It's perfect for the driver wishing both style and speed at under $100,000.
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