Fast and fearsome on the road, the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 is a new nameplate with familiar origins and few direct rivals.
From the A-Class to the V-Class and everything in between, Mercedes’ vast collection of models, categories and subcategories is truly mind-boggling.
However, the German product planners have found room for another new nameplate, the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe.
Mercedes-AMG says the new model “combines the best of two worlds: the agility and sportiness of the C-Class, and the space and status of the E-Class.” But we’ll be the judge of that.
First impressions? This stylish performance coupe is a seriously serious-looking car. Its road presence is strong, with wide, flared arches and aggressive styling.
And, despite the current trend towards engine downsizing, it has a potent 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline petrol six. The CLE63 model is expected to arrive with a V8 twin-turbo engine soon.
The new model will replace the C-Class and E-Class coupes, and will compete with a somewhat smaller luxury performance car segment in Australia. Think the BMW M440i/M4, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoliate, and the upcoming Audi S5. You can also add the Porsche 718 Cayman to that, as the price is about the same.
How much does the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 cost?
Priced from $158,900 before on-road costs, the CLE53 4Matic+ Coupe (as it’s officially called) is more than $35,000 dearer than the turbocharged four-cylinder CLE300 Coupe.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Coupe | $158,900 |
For context, the last AMG C43 4Matic coupe – which also featured a twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine – was priced from $131,770 before on-road costs, while the AMG E53 4Matic+ was $177,670 plus on-roads.
What is the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 like on the inside?
The CLE53’s interior has all the tech and features you could want in a $160k luxury coupe, but it doesn’t make for a complete package. The cabin feels solid and well-assembled, with no rattles, squeaks or play in the panels. Most surfaces are also pleasant to interact with.
Soft leather covers the upper part of the dash, door cards and centre console, giving this flagship AMG variant a luxurious feel. There’s no hiding its sporty side, as the ergonomic steering wheel is presented in a combination of leather and microfiber suede.
However, the textured wood trim on our tester’s dash felt inconsequential. Buyers can opt to have this area trimmed in shiny carbon fibre instead, which I would have preferred.
Another disappointing point – my knee was constantly coming into contact with the hard plastic inside the centre tunnel. Some padding would be welcome here.
In standard trim, the CLE53 has bright silver metallic accents throughout the cabin, which are very on-brand and cut through the sea of black leather and plastic. An impressive 64-color ambient lighting system serves the same purpose.
Several seat options are available with the CLE53 – standard, multi-contour and AMG Performance. We experienced the latter, which offers pronounced side bolsters, fully electric adjustment options and seat heating.
The AMG seats are less hardcore than one might expect, providing adequate cushioning on long journeys. At 185cm tall and weighing 90kg I found the driver’s seat to be a comfortable fit, with the side bolsters wrapping around my thighs and ribs in a way that kept me stable during dynamic driving without compromising everyday comfort.
The seat controls are found on the door cards, arranged in 3D diagram fashion with separate buttons for memory settings and seat heating.
A wide adjustment range has been created, enabling a low, sporty seating position that matches the character of the car. The steering wheel also comes with electric adjustment. So there should be no excuse for discomfort, right?
Not exactly. As a tall person, I found the dead pedal to be too small for my size 13 foot – an annoying inconvenience. The ergonomic gimmick forced me to rest half of my left foot on the dead pedal and half on the floor, a position that is difficult to maintain.
The rest of the cabin is well thought out, with a minimalist design and user-friendly controls. Centered around a waterfall-style infotainment touchscreen, the center stack has just a single control bar for ease of use and a clean aesthetic.
The screen itself measures 11.9 inches and features the latest MBUX software. That means lightning-fast responsiveness and clear graphics, as well as a familiar app grid layout.
| Dimensions | Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Coupe |
|---|---|
| Length | 4853mm |
| Width (inc. mirrors) | 2041mm |
| Height | 1435mm |
| Wheelbase | 2875mm |
| Boot capacity | 420L |
What’s under the bonnet?
It packs an updated version of Benz’s M256 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, called the M256M.
| Specifications | Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Coupe |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0-litre inline 6cyl twin-turbo petrol 48V MHEV |
| Power | 330kW |
| Torque | 560Nm (standard) 600Nm (overboost) |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 4.0s |
| Weight | 2000kg (incl. 90% full tank, 75kg driver) |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 9.6L/100 km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 11.5L/100km |
The updated engine features redesigned inline and outlet channels, new piston rings, a new exhaust gas turbocharger and a new electric additional compressor, which allows the boost pressure to be increased from 0.4 bar to 1.5 bar.
An integrated starter-generator, housed in the gearbox bell housing, provides an additional 17 kW and 205 Newton meters for short periods, feeding the 48-volt electrical system and allowing the car to run without the combustion engine.
How does the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 drive?
The CLE53 combines elements from the C-Class, E-Class and AMG models to create a unique package that’s more high-performance grand tourer than razor-sharp sports coupe.
It starts off quietly by default, and no amount of tinkering with the infotainment menus can change that. And when setting off in an urban setting, the CLE53 has a quiet stability not always associated with hot-tempered speed machines.
The adaptive suspension setup is comfortable and compliant throughout its range of settings, from Comfort mode to Sport+. You almost don’t feel the road surface beneath your seat, while speed bumps and potholes are confidently smoothed out.
Adaptive damping is one of the CLE53’s many customizable driving qualities. Like the suspension, the steering has three separate modes, varying in weight and sensitivity. Rear-axle steering is standard, with a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees.
Even in its sportiest setting, the steering rack is very light and with little organic feel through the wheels, which takes away from its appeal as a driver’s car.
However, this makes the CLE53 easy to drive around town, as it requires little effort to steer in town. Even so, it’s both long and wide, so you’ll need to be spatially aware in parking lots.
There’s a large rear three-quarter blind spot, although the blind-spot monitoring technology is helpful.
During gentle driving, the beast under the bonnet is subdued, especially with the exhaust valves closed. Most of the aural experience comes through the engine sound piped into the cabin, which has a nice melody but never overwhelms the driving experience.
Both the engine and exhaust are multi-modal – in Comfort mode the CLE53 cruises in relative anonymity. The neighbours will thank you, and you’ll be able to enjoy the quietness and sophistication this car provides.
Around town, the nine-speed auto sometimes feels a little confused at low speeds. When accelerating to 50-60 km/h before closing the throttle, the transmission can be hesitant to upshift.
The twin-charged 3.0-liter inline-six is susceptible to a bit of old-fashioned turbo lag, so its talents can be forgotten at low speeds. However, with a bit of room to run, the engine proves its worth.
It pulls powerfully from 3000 rpm to redline, supported by turbocharger suction and a soundtrack of smooth six-cylinder notes.
Mercedes-AMG says the CLE53 will sprint from 0-100 km/h in four seconds, on par with its main European rivals. But it doesn’t feel that quick.
That’s probably down to the nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s not the quickest gearbox around and shifts can be sluggish, especially in manual mode, with a noticeable delay between ratios.
What do you get?
The new 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 is available in a single trim grade, with several additional option packs available to purchase.
AMG CLE53 Coupe equipment highlights:
- 20-inch light-alloy wheels
- Adaptive damping
- Rear-axle steering (up to 2.5 degrees)
- Automatic high-beam LED headlights
- AMG Exterior Night Package 1 and 2
- AMG illuminated door sill plates
- AMG floor mats
- Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel with Microcut microfibre
- Black leather upholstery with red contrast stitching
- Carbon interior trim
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- Head-up display
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Burmester surround sound system
- Panoramic sunroof
- Keyless entry and start
- Power boot-lid
- Rear privacy glass
Plus Package: $2100
- Multicontour front seats
- Energising package plus
- Air-balance package
- Memory parking assistant
Carbon Package: $8900
- Carbon-fibre exterior trim
- Front splitter
- Mirror caps
- Side sill panel inserts
- Lip spoiler
- Carbon-fibre steering wheel and interior trim
AMG Performance seats are also available for an additional $5400.
Is the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 safe?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 10 airbags
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driving Assistant Package Plus
- Active speed limit assist
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Safe exit warning
- Evasive steering assist
- Cyclist, pedestrian and vehicle detection
- Extended automatic restart function on motorways
- Route-based speed adaptation with end of traffic jam function
- Active Stop-and-Go Assist
- Active Steering Assist with hands-off warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Parking assist
- Surround-view camera
- Traffic sign recognition
How much does the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 cost to run?
| Servicing and Warranty | Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Coupe |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 25,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Up to 5-year plans |
| Total capped-price service cost | $4190 (3 years) $5510 (4 years) $7760 (5 years) |
