Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Review Road Test

CLE 53 is a Mercedes-AMG that still remembers that its a Mercedes-AMG, rather than parading as a milk float or a trolley bus.
 

It’s been a while since we enjoyed a car as much as this Mercedes-AMG CLE 53. And not because it’s packed with so much technology that it made our eyes water. Nope, this car is more about simplicity. Which makes driving it quite sensational.
 
Over the past few years, I cannot be exact, because it crept up on us like a slippery ghost up an unsuspecting skirt. But sportscars have just become so dumb. It started with that wild woke charge that led the world to believe that the future was electric.
 
Well, the woke world thought the future was electric, anyway. Since then, those fools have come to understand exactly what the meaning of the old phrase of leading the horse to water really means. It may not drink.
 
CLE 53 Makes One Wonder About Electrification
Humanity does not want electric cars. We never did. Never will. They’re canning EV projects by the dozen. All those job losses in the European, China and US car industry? Ah yes, they’re all directly related to the death of the EV. Nobody buys them.
 
To be honest, I reckon theplug-in hybrid will be the next to go. I’ll put a beer on that too. Just like I did that EVs were never going to be it. Because they’re not. No matter what anyone tells you. Least not a lost carmaker boss!
 
So, it was a really special treat when this Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 showed up on our driveway. See, its nothing like the C63 AMG with its bastard half-battery half-gas set-up. Or even the E53 we had a few weeks back that was kind of two-thirds EV, a third gas.
 

Good, Old-School Straight-Six Lurking
See, the only hybrid assistance this CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé offers, is the 23 HP 48 volt mild collar tucked into the nose of its AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. So most of the onus of this car’s propulsion is left to the good, old school 440 HP 442 lb.-ft. overboost M 256M 3-litre straight six lurking under the bonnet.
 
To be honest, we’d enjoyed all those siblings and their gregarious and grandiose slices of electrification. But to a car, they all made us forget what we loved best about driving a good old performance coupe or sedan.
 
So to say that this car failed to disappoint would be the understatement of the year. Like a long forgotten whip, this car pulls beautifully. It has that old school fee of a lighter, nimbler machine that does not need to pretend it’s something else to escape the dealer floor.
 
CLE 53 a Real, Seat of the Pants Driving Machine
No, this car is real, seat of the pants driving machine. Like all the cars that made us want to do this job, that made us stand at attention. A breath of fresh air indeed! Never mind, its fast. Rudely fast. 3.7 seconds to 60 mph is just a tenth off the E 53 with all its hefty electric voodoo.
 
Packing fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, there’s also 5-mode Dynamic Select, Independent Ride Control suspension with 3-stage speed-sensitive, and rear-axle steering. Lithe and agile, there’s not a hint of that electric heft, contrived shunt and dream-on planet saving.
 
But that’s just part of it, Shaped by desire and inspired by dreams, the new Mercedes-AMG CLE also goes back to the future to deliver a two-in-one C-Class Coupé and E-Class Coupé all rolled into one.
 
Performance Is Just Part of CLE 53 Allure
Our frozen black sampler turned heads everywhere it went. Wider fenders add a muscular stance, especially from behind. And those optional deep-dish 20-inch wheels… Oh wow! Pictures don’t do it justice.
 
An emotional design from every angle, it’s aggressive with flowing surfaces and seamless transitions. A progressive shark nose, 3D mouth, LED headlamps, and long, low clamshell hood topped by trademark SL power bubbles set a vibrant pace. And then you swing that long door open.
 
The caramel sensuous cockpit screams sexy. This one’s tan leather pews and finishes are to, well, die for. The 64-color indirect ambient-lit space is driver centered. Integrated headrests even get the very best out of the car’s Burmester 3D surround audio.
 

Caramel Sensuous Cockpit Screams Sexy
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. Its generally wonderful. Although the center dash is compromised and tight, Mercedes loves its multifunction and touch controls. We hate them. 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. Interestingly, for all our kudos on its feel, the CLE 53 is not light at 4400 lbs. Nor is it cheap and 75 grand. But it’s a Mercedes-AMG that still remembers that its a Mercedes-AMG, rather than parading as a milk float or a trolley bus. And for us, that makes it great.
 
Now, we hear stories of a return to an AMG V8 and far more dynamic focus. If this car is anything to go by, we cannot wait. And if you can’t either it’s a damn good compromise before the real back to the future thing comes.
 
It just feels so darn right!
 
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+
Engine: 440 HP 442 lb.-ft 3-litre biturbo petrol I6
Motor: 23 HP 150 lb.-ft 48V Mild Hybrid
Drive: 9-speed automatic AWD
 
TESTED:
0-40 mph: 1.67 sec
0-60 mph: 3.77 sec
0-75 mph: 5.15sec
0-100 mph: 8.83 sec
¼-mile: 11.9 sec @ 186km/h
50-75 mph: 2.49 sec
75-100 mph: 3.68 sec
 
CLAIMED:
VMax: 155 mph
Fuel Average: 24 mpg
 
LIST PRICE: $75.450