This would be an easy one to fall in love with, and one I wish I could keep. You see, I’ve always been attracted to Mercedes-Benz coupes, and the bigger the better, but make it a ragtop, and I really love it. For me, there is just something beautiful about them. So in 2024 what Mercedes did is take the E-class coupe and the C-Class coupe and mate them so to speak, to produce the CLE coupe. Now for 2025, they took the CLE coupe, cut the top off, and made it a convertible. To make it even better, this is the AMG version. What I have for you this week is the stunning AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet and it’s a stunner!
Exterior
What makes this convertible so attractive? Distinctive, flowing lines and flared front and rear fenders highlight the car's muscular stance, and I love the roofline, very sporty especially for a drop-top.
From the front, there is an AMG-specific grill, LED headlights, and a bulging hood with a heat extractor built-in. The 20” forged wheels are stunning, and this beauty sits low and wide with the rear being wider than the front.
There is a small spoiler on the rear, quad exhaust, and the famous Mercedes-Benz star on the back that doubles as the trunk opener when you press the top of it. My tester came in Obsidian Black, and it is a gorgeous color.
Performance
Under the hood is an AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering robust performance and efficiency. It is putting out 443-horses and 413-pound feet of torque. It features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, providing an additional boost of 23-horsepower and 151-pound feet of torque during acceleration.
It utilizes both an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric auxiliary compressor for improved throttle response and power delivery. It is mated to a quick-shifting 9-speed automatic with shift paddles. It is also 4Matic, which is Benz-speak for all-wheel drive. I cannot oversell the acceleration of this beast, especially in Sport + mode.
Interior
The interior of the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 combines luxury with performance-oriented design, featuring advanced technology and high-quality materials and that is evident from the minute you open the door.
Soft-touch materials surround you starting with the door panels and continuing across the dash, and carbon fiber trim surrounding the center console looks terrific, and no gloss black. As you sit down, sport seats upholstered in Nappa leather upholstery are bolstered, heated & cooled, have power lumbar supports, and they both have memory settings.
The flat-bottomed AMG Performance steering wheel is wrapped in Nappa leather, it includes buttons and AMG-specific controls to configure the 12.3-inch digital driver display that provides customizable information, with different display styles that include Classic, Sport, and Supersport modes. There are two round knobs on the steering wheel that are part of the AMG Drive unit. The Left Knob is the Drive Mode, and you can choose from Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. The right knob controls custom functions such as suspension stiffness (AMG Ride Control), exhaust sound (quieter or louder), traction control level, manual gear shifting mode, and the start/stop on/off toggle.
Center dash is an 11.9-inch touchscreen central multimedia display, and it operates the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system. It is reminiscent of an iPad mounted on the dash, and it will adjust from a 15-degree angle to a 40% angle with the push of a button. This is a nice feature to stop the glare when you are going topless.
The MBUX system controls voice commands and includes apps for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also control the Burmeister 3D Surround Sound System, the advanced Surround View 360° Camera system, SiriusXM, Bluetooth for your cell phone, the climate controls, and vehicle settings. You can even play Sudoku, Shuffle Puck, and you can get real-time info from there. The system is fast in very intuitive. Check out the Performance Page, it’s slick and has a large timer to prove it will do 0-to-60 in 4-seconds flat, and it will do it.
The center console features two USB-C ports and a wireless phone charger that you can hide behind a sliding door. Your elbows rest on a very soft cover with a deep compartment underneath to store things, and there are two more USB-Cs in there as well.
Back seat room was larger than I expected, but still only suitable for two people that are not overly large and don’t have really big feet, sorry Shaq. Headroom is always sacrificed with the swooping roof, but legroom seemed OK. Back seat passengers get their own air vents, a USB-C for charging, and a pull-down armrest with cup holders. The front seats electrically slide forward for easy access to the rear seat.
The trunk space is good-sized at 14.5-cubic feet, but that drops to 9.6-cubic feet when the top is folded into the trunk. It has a very wide opening, and the back seats fold down for longer items, or just more storage if needed. There is more storage underneath the trunk floor as well, and there you will find the tire repair kit and air compressor.
Convertible Top
Speaking of the top, it is layered with multiple levels of material to provide a very quiet cabin even at highway speeds. The top will retract or close in just 20-seconds and you can operate it at speeds up to 30-miles per hour.
To make your top-down experience more pleasurable, you can push a button to activate a front wind foil on top of the windshield to divert air, and at the same time a rear windscreen pops up. Together they do a phenomenal job of keeping the wind from swirling around the cabin. Excellent engineering!
Standard Equipment and Options
This is a Mercedes, so it comes with notable standard features that include: the navigation system, heated and cooled power front seats with memory controls, remote keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice activation, five USB ports, Nappa leather seats, and 44-color ambient lighting. You also get LED headlights and taillights, active parking assist, and the heated washer system.
Options on this coupe include the 20” wheels ($2,100), AMG Performance Sound that pumps engine noise through the speakers ($550), a heated steering wheel ($250), Advance USB package ($350) ventilated seats ($450), the red brake calipers ($700), the Black Obsidian paint ($700), and finally Machioto Beige & Black interior ($1,620).
Safety
In the safety department, it has blind spot monitoring, active emergency brake assist, rear seat reminder, surround view camera, electronic stability control, and keyless go.
Ride and Drive
Driving characteristics are great, steering is precise with good feedback and the car is incredibly quiet inside. This car just absolutely feels solid and very well-built. One other big thing for me that adds function and pleasure to the driving experience is the rear-axle steering system. The rear wheels can turn up to 2.5 degrees, and the direction they turn depends on your speed. At lower speeds under 37 miles per hour the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. This shrinks the turning radius, making tight maneuvers like U-turns and parking easier. At higher speeds, over 37, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. This adds stability when changing lanes quickly, and when cornering. The end result is incredible handling.
When you come to a stop, if you push a little harder on the brake, the brake hold will kick in allowing you to take your foot off the brake. When you touch the gas, the brake releases. This is a feature you will absolutely love when you get used to using it.
You’ll get 19 miles per gallon in town and 26 on the highway, really good mileage for a fast, large, luxury convertible.
Verdict
MSRP is $90,370 and to me for what you get, how beautiful and luxurious this car is, and how well it drives, I have no quarrel with that price. You can spend more on a luxury Cabriolet, but why when this one has everything anybody could want. You’ll realize what a great value this car is after driving it and looking at all the things it will do.
- What I liked most: The way it drives and handles, the beautiful appearance, and the luxurious interior.
- What I would change: Would love a head-up display as standard equipment.
- MSRP: Base price $82,600. As equipped $90,370 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 19 city/26 highway/22 combined.
- Official Color: Obsidian Black metallic.
- Odometer reading when tested: 3,600 miles.
- Weight: 4,597 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Repair kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 191” long/74.2” wide/56.5” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.2 gallons with the filler on the passenger side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 AMG CLE 53 Cab in a few words: AN outstanding roadster, lots of power, stunning looks, and it will make you smile every time you look at it
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Bremen, Germany.
- Manufacturer’s website: www.MBUSA.com
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