These are the types of cars that Mercedes has always done well: comfortable convertibles that stylishly expose you to the elements while transporting you to Laguna Beach or a Yorkville valet with sun-kissed skin and a heavy dose of vitamin D. Forget about those hairy-chested V8 AMGs for a moment or those rorty small hatchbacks – four-seater convertibles are peak Mercedes, whether they suit your garage or not. From the soft white leather to the wide yet supportive seats that massage your back and blow hot air around your neck, there’s no better way to cruise around the boulevard.

And if you’re confused about the CLE and why there are so many letters, you’re not alone. Mercedes changes their nomenclature more often than Trump changes his tariffs. In an effort to consolidate its lineup with more focused product development, the outgoing C-Class Cabriolet and E-Class Cabriolet have merged into a single model, with dimensions that place it closer to the smaller C-Class rather than the larger E-Class.

The resulting silhouette is one of the more attractive in the current silver star lineup. A sleek, elongated hood gives it visual length, and its tapered rear end offers depth and complexity to its overall stance. There’s not much magnificence or visual drama – the CLE is comfortable in its own skin – but we’ve never been a fan of that black strip that connects the rear lights. Something about that unibrow Cyclops design doesn’t appeal to us. Spectral Blue paired with a white interior complements the open-air theme nicely, but consider Opalite White paint over Macchiato Beige leather to capture those seaside vibes better.

The interior is based on the current C-Class but with added features, such as the optional ‘Flowing Lines’ striped dashboard that evokes the feel of a luxury yacht, and seats equipped with heating, ventilation, massage, and the aforementioned Air Scarf that blows hot air around your neck, extending convertible season well into the late-autumn months. It also makes for a quicker defrost on your winter morning drives, and we recommend the Cabriolet over the Coupe for this feature alone. 

Behind the steering wheel is the same 12.3-inch display, and in the center is an 11.9-inch vertically-oriented touchscreen that’s borrowed from the SL Roadster. At the touch of a button, the screen can tilt to a more acute angle towards the driver to reduce the sun glare, but we found the screen bright and high-definition enough that even direct sunlight never washed out its graphics. The tilted screen made it easier for us to reach as well. Holding the top edge of the screen and using your thumb to input makes it more accessible and should help those who struggle to read small fonts from a distance. 

Below the center console are three convertible-specific buttons that control the roof mechanism and two wind deflectors: one electronically raises at the top of the windscreen, while the other raises between the two rear seats. While they visually detract from the car’s sleek, rolling shape, they excel at preventing turbulent air from swirling around the cabin. However, we found the default wind buffeting to be already impressive, and only noticed the effect of the wind deflectors when reaching speeds of over 80 km/h. Notably, it takes approximately 20 seconds for the roof to open or close, which can be achieved at speeds below 60 km/h. With the roof up, the triple-layer fabric top provides an effective layer of insulation, muffling much of the unwanted road and tire noise. However, expect slightly more ambient noise than you would in a C-Class Sedan. 

Storage cubbies are minimal, and the center console has been reduced in size to accommodate those three roof buttons. That means less storage space inside and smaller, inadequately sized cupholders that genuinely cannot hold much. There are no physical dividers or compartments aside from the adjustable cupholder walls, so you end up throwing all your items inside messily, as if it were a garbage can. Two fixed cupholders between the rear seats are a quick remedy, but they are difficult to reach from the driver’s seat. 

The smaller opening and its awkwardly stowed cover subsequently hide and compromise the wireless charging pad, which is deeply recessed within the pocket and requires the precision of a surgeon to access and extract your phone, all while scraping your hands past its sharp plastic edges. Sadly, there are no other meaningful storage compartments aside from the shallow center glovebox and narrow door pockets. 

Unfortunately, many of the criticisms and drawbacks we mentioned in our E-Class review also apply here. The steering wheel is pleasing to look at and interact with, featuring haptic touch pads for all the buttons. Although they work well, they don’t feel as intuitive as physical buttons, and we often trigger them accidentally when driving quickly and rotating the wheel. Further, the lack of grooves on the door panel for the memory seat controls makes them difficult to press accurately, so we don’t know what we have pushed until it has been activated.

We heavily favoured the outgoing E-Class Cabriolet because it had spacious and usable rear accommodations. The CLE has adopted that space, meaning you can comfortably fit six adults inside, each at least six feet tall, without worrying about comfort. Headroom is decent with the roof up, and shouldn’t be an issue with the roof down, giving it an advantage over the smaller and relatively cramped BMW 4 Series Cabriolet. Trunk space isn’t anything to write home about, but it should be enough for a pair of weekend bags.

The CLE offers three powertrains: CLE 300 with a 255-hp four-cylinder, CLE 53 AMG with a 443-hp inline-six, and the CLE 450 with its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six paired with a mild hybrid unit. It generates a healthy 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque through its 9-speed automatic transmission, enough to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.

With the CLE 450 weighing in at 2,080 kg, it is heavier than the E-Class Sedan, yet acceleration is still quick enough to feel alive and moderately engaging. If you enjoy a bit of spritz and excitement to your drive, and the -450 is within your budget, it’s entirely worth the upgrade over the weaker -300. Be that as it may, Mercedes has tuned the power delivery to be smooth rather than abrupt, and it may feel overly calm and relaxed if you are accustomed to the rapid-fire bursts of an AMG war drum. The gentle focus of the CLE 450 powertrain is further demonstrated in its excellent fuel economy, with our mixed city and highway driving yielding 10.5 L/100km, making it suitable for long-distance road trips. 

The CLE 450 does without any fancy adaptive air suspension, but it doesn’t need it. There’s a gentle waftability to the way it grooves on the road. Its motions are heavy, gradual, and somewhat nautical, but controlled within the confines of its light steering and confident powertrain. The ride isn’t as cloud-like or as effortless as the E-Class Sedan, but it effectively mutes out most of the harshness from divots and sharp bumps on the road. 

These Continental EcoContact 6Q tires complement the CLE well with their quietness and low rolling resistance, but they lack the wet-weather grip that gives us confidence in inclement weather. Unlike its AMG counterparts, this 9-speed transmission is unobtrusive and operates discreetly, without even drawing attention to itself. Notably, there is no dedicated exhaust button, but diving into the settings menu reveals a selectable feature called Progressive Sport Sound. Activating it adds a deep-thrumming backdrop that accompanies every inch of throttle movement. A hearty noise that oddly mimics a V8 engine, it doesn’t suit the CLE very well, and we preferred to keep it off for a more suitably authentic, quiet, and relaxed vibe. 

Convertibles have always been low-volume, slow-selling, esoteric machines, and it’s a shame, as these open-tops are where the silver star badge truly belongs. Even Audi has stopped selling its A5 Cabriolet, leaving the BMW 4 Series as the only competitor. While the SLK and S-Class Cabriolet have paid the price, the CLE is a worthy spiritual successor, bringing the effortlessness and polish of the C- and E-Class, along with generous rear accommodations and the smooth driving behaviour expected from a Mercedes. It may not be the most exciting way to cross the country, but it’s undoubtedly the most relaxing.

Specifications:

Model: 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet
Paint Type: Spectral Blue
Base Price: $85,150
Price as Tested: $97,500
Wheelbase(mm): 2,865
Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,850 / 1,861 / 1,424
Curb Weight: 2,080 kg
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, integrated starter-generator, 48-volt lithium-ion battery
Horsepower: 375 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm
Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 10.5
Tires: Continental EcoContact 6Q; 275/30R20