Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 4MATIC Review Road Test

Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 fully justifies its maker’s sublime claims. It’s one hell of a piece of kit for an entry-level sled.
 

We’ve enjoyed a few bites at Mercedes-Benz’ CLE cherry and have to admit, this entry one impressed us by its spec and ability across the board. Shaped by desire and inspired by dreams just as much as the rest of the range, the Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 similarly kills two birds with one stone as it now once again satisfies both C and E-Class’s coupé needs in one car.
 
Anyway, the Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 is not available in the US but is popular in Europe and elsewhere. It may drop a few kilowatts and Newton metres from its four-pot turbo petrol and only turns the rear axle versus the next rung up 300. But this bottom of the line two-in-one C-Class Coupé and E-Class Coupé all rolled into one sexy machine to satisfy the needs of everyone in what’s now a subtly broader niche, lacks little else.
 
CLE 200: Your Entry All-in-One C and E-Class Coupé
Stuttgart tells us that the new CLE is an athletic coupé boasting enhanced interior luxury in integral sporty design with powerful electrified engines for a dynamic experience. Sensual purity, in a nutshell. And it’s all still here at the entry level. Take the badge off our sexy frozen black tester with white leather pews, in fact, and you’d struggle to understand that it isn’t some kind of AMG version
 
Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s quite different from both the C and E coops it replaces. An emotional design from every angle, it’s a sporty and elegant two-door coupé that aptly defines Mercedes-Benz’ contemporary design language. Of flowing surfaces and seamless transitions. But Merc promises that this one goes its own way.
 
A progressive shark nose, 3D mouth, LED headlamps, and long, low clamshell hood topped by trademark SL power bubbles set a most elegant pace. A distinctive side profile highlighted by a single, bold character line further accentuates that stance. To leave no further explanation necessary as to what precisely this car is. If that’s impressive, wait till you swing that long door open.
 

Sublime White Seated Cockpit Screams Sexy
It reveals a creamy and sensuous 64-color indirect ambient-lit cockpit that screams sexy. This one’s white leather pews and finishes are to, well, die for. It’s a driver-centered space. Getting back to those avant-garde sports design front seats, they’re developed exclusively for the CLE with integrated headrests that they promise get the very best of the car’s Burmester 3D surround audio.
 
There’s also new Easy-Entry rear access; even if getting into the back of a car like this will, by nature, never be easy. And we found the centre console to be a bit iffy. But for the rest, it’s simply brilliant.
 
CLE gets free-standing 12.3-inch digital dials behind the smart leather sports steering wheel and 11.9-inch portrait central display, all deployed in a light and dynamic feel. Mercedes loves its multi-function and touch controls. Merely being human, we certainly do not.
 
CLE 200 Almost as Elastic as its 300 Bigger Bro
Give us our knobs back! The newest MBUX system is however packed with all the goodies, from Auto to Car Play, Bluetooth, all the c-USBs, kitchen sink, cableless charging, hey Mercedes voice capability, next-level navigation, and the rest.
 
This CLE 300 may just be a downsized 201 HP 237 lb two-liter with a 20 HP boost when needed. Look, it doesn’t sound all that sexy as an old straight-six 300E, but it’s surprisingly quick versus its upscale sister. Just a second off to 60, 80 and 100 mph acceleration is basically the same.
 
CLE 200 adds Benz’ 21 HP 150 lb.-ft second-generation integrated 48-volt starter generator in the 9G-Tronic gearbox to boost low-speed and bottom-end power to a seamless state. The box delivers its expected seamless service and the rear axle only, versus the 300’s 4-matic all-wheel drive.
 

Entry Coupe a Sublime Balance Comfort, Style
Impressively at its best on the road, this CLE 200 offers a splendid Jekyll & Hyde balance of seamless, comfy cruising and inspired, energetic athleticism. As and when you want or need it. Quicker than claimed, we also found it more economical in our travels, if the readout is to be believed.
 
Sublime popped up continuously in our Mecedes product propaganda on this car. Often one giggles when carmakers wholesale abuse terms like that. The Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 fully justifies its maker’s sublime claims. It’s one hell of a piece of kit for a middle of the range sled.
 
Albeit at not enough of a discount to its better-packed 300 sibling. Which is a pity, because that makes stepping up to that car’s greater virtues a no-brainer.
 
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 4Matic
Engine: 201 HP 237 lb.-ft 2-litre turbo I4
Drive: 9-speed automatic AWD
 
TESTED:
0-40 mph 3.18 sec
0-60 mph: 7.29 sec
0-100 mph: 10.22 sec
¼-mile: 15.2 sec @ 92 mph
50-75 mph: 5.25 sec
75-100 mph: 8.17 sec
 
CLAIMED:
VMax: 150 mph
Fuel: 33.6 mpg
Range: 587 miles