Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe Review

In 2024, SUVs (and EVs) are dominating the automotive landscape. Two-door, four-seater coupes? Powered by petrol?? They just aren't in vogue anymore (some may argue they never really were).

So, it's perhaps unsurprising that Mercedes-Benz has streamlined its two-door coupe lineup, with the CLE-Class replacing both the C-Class and E-Class Coupes of old. It's hard not to think that this is a simple evaluation of sales volume (or lack thereof).

And as if this segment wasn't already niche enough (it's presently really only occupied by this CLE-Class and the BMW 4 Series Coupe), Mercedes is now also offering an AMG model that moves into even more niche category - the CLE53 AMG you see right here.

The turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six produces a healthy 443bhp and 560Nm of torque, and delivers a sweet soundtrack to boot

Power, then

With an AMG model, you're going to get more power, obviously. Here, a 3.0-litre in-line six does duty, producing a healthy 443bhp and 560Nm of torque. Power is sent through all four wheels to help the car dash to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. It's quick, but not blisteringly so.  

With this CLE53, you also get all the requisite AMG performance upgrades, such as adaptive dampers, fully-variable all-wheel drive, rear axle steering, AMG-specific parameters for the drive modes, huge brakes, AMG exhaust - basically all the go-faster bits.

And on the road, you can feel it. It's an athletic and sporty car, albeit a bit of a blunt instrument given its overall size and heft. The ride is firm, but even on the sportiest setting never too harsh. And it makes a good noise if you work the engine hard, though it's never overly rowdy.

Wide tracks and ample mechanical grip means that it's easy to hustle the CLE53 quickly through windy roads

Chuck the car through a few corners, and it is no doubt a more athletic proposition than its non-AMG brethren (helped by notably wider front and rear tracks). There's plenty of mechanical grip, good mid-corner stability, and you can easily hustle the car along. 

But there are some compromises, especially when you eventually have to chill out with your right foot. If you set a low seating position (the lowest, in my case), visibility isn't great (the OBU screen doesn't help one bit). And at low speeds, you do feel the girth and weight of the car. It's not intimidating, but it's also never really quite relaxing either. There's also quite a lot of tyre noise, which is perhaps unsurprising considering the wide and low-profile rubber that the car is wearing over its 20-inch rims. 

Inside the cabin, you get all the necessary AMG touches such as the yellow stitching and carbon fibre trim

All the right touches

As you'd expect, the cabin also gets all the necessary AMG touches. MICROCUT microfibre on the steering wheel, carbon fibre trim, yellow stitching, generous swathes of nappa leather, it's all rather delightful, really.

And the rest is quite typical modern Mercedes fare. Big central display, elaborate ambient lighting, high-quality finishes all around. 

The rear seats are pretty usable, too. There's only two, but non-overly tall adults should fit just fine.

The cabin scores high on quality and refinement, and the rear two seats are pretty usable, too! 

But perhaps the most important quality about the CLE53 that stands it apart is only apparent when you get out of the car. And walk away from it a little. Then a little bit more.

Then, you look at it. And damn, does it look good. Talk about stance - wide tracks, big arches, massive staggered wheels, the CLE53 is dripping with visual potency, mean-mugging its way around town. Add on this Spectral Blue Magno paintwork ($20k option, oof) and it really accentuates the car's moody, ready-to-pounce aesthetic.

Irrational desire

Should you spend $460k on a two-door, four-seater coupe? The sensible and rational answer is obviously no.

If it's just speed you're after, the A45 S has a monstrous 2.0-litre engine that puts out similar numbers, and because it's a lighter and smaller car is actually quicker to 100km/h. And with four doors (or five, if you count the hatchback), it's arguably more practical too. The same can effectively be said for the CLA45.

The CLE53, while quick and sporty enough, doesn't have that same rambunctious attitude. And it is a heavy-ish car - over 200kg heavier than the CLE200. The boot is also quite paltry at just 410 litres, and with that 3.0-litre engine up front you're going to be racking up a yearly road tax of almost four grand. 

The CLE53's calling card isn't performance or functionality - instead, it is its different character and undeniable swagger that lends it irrational appeal

It's the sort of car that actually makes little sense. And yet, it is also precisely the sort of the car that doesn't have to. People who buy such cars (and let's be honest, it's a small handful of them) do so not for functional or practical reasons, and perhaps not even really for rational reasons.

In a world that's rapidly favouring high-riding SUVs, the fact that cars such as these are even still being produced is a bit of a minor miracle. It stands out precisely because it's different.

The one undeniable appeal that the CLE53 has is the 'cool' factor. It looks fantastic, it looks different, and it radiates a different kind of energy. It's desirable, even if not that many people actually buy one. It's got 'swag', as kids nowadays would say.

And can you really put a price on swag? Well, actually you can: $456,888. 

Two-door, four-seater coupes are your thing? Here is one other option to check out: 

The BMW 4 Series Coupe combines urgent power delivery with high refinement