The 2025 Mercedes CLE lands in Australia as a neat consolidation of two icons, stepping in for both the C‑Class and E‑Class two‑doors. Think classic long‑bonnet coupe and elegant cabrio shape, but with the latest MBUX cabin tech and a calmer, more grown‑up vibe than the shouty stuff in AMG land. It aims to be the comfortable, stylish grand tourer you buy because you still love driving, not because you need to carry a pantry in the boot. That pitch makes sense here, where good roads, long distances and sunny weekends flatter a car like this. For context, Mercedes has indeed replaced those earlier coupes with the CLE, and Australian media have already driven it locally.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Understated, elegant 2025 Mercedes CLE design that feels premium rather than flashy.
- Superb cabin insulation and ride tune that suits Aussie highways.
- Clear upgrade path, from sensible four‑cylinder to smooth six in the 53.
Cons
- Back seats remain “for people you like, but not for long.”
- MBUX menus can bury simple tasks.
- Pricing overlaps bigger‑feeling rivals and tempting SUVs.
How Much Does It Cost?
The 2025 Mercedes CLE price in Australia opens around the low‑$100,000 mark before on‑road costs, climbing to the mid‑$130,000 for Cabriolet variants, and higher again for AMG models. Recent Australian price guides list a starting figure from about $103,900 plus on‑roads, with the Cabriolet from about $135,900. Your final drive‑away will depend on options and state charges, but that sets the ballpark.
Features and Benefits
Mercedes has kept the 2025 Mercedes CLE features familiar but high‑impact: a portrait 11.9‑inch central display pairs with a 12.3‑inch driver cluster, both running updated MBUX. You get the expected wireless phone mirroring, strong voice control, ambient lighting that actually changes the mood, and materials that feel rightly expensive. The Cabriolet adds crowd‑pleasers like the Airscarf neck warmers and Aircap wind deflector, which are the difference between a top‑down spring cruise and a hair‑dryer endurance test.
Safety
Core active safety is comprehensive: autonomous emergency braking, lane‑keeping aids, blind‑spot monitoring and a 360‑degree camera feature on local cars. The Cabriolet layers on structural protection and the usual Mercedes rollover smarts, which matters when the sky is your roof. The feature‑set reads well for a premium two‑door and aligns with what we have seen in Australian specifications.
Running Costs
The 2025 Mercedes CLE fuel efficiency varies by engine and body. Australian data lists combined figures from the low sevens to high nines in litres per 100 km across the range, which is about right for a stylish two‑door with proper performance. Servicing intervals are listed at 12 months or 25,000 km for the CLE, so most owners will be calendar‑based rather than distance‑based. Tyres and insurance will skew higher than a mainstream sedan, but that is the price of admission in this segment.
Comparison To Its Competitors
Against the BMW 4 Series, the 2025 MERCEDES Cle plays the comfort card. The BMW still sets the pace for steering feel and balance, but the CLE’s calm cabin and smoother ride make better sense if most of your driving is freeway and coast road. Compared with the Audi A5, the 2025 Mercedes CLE design and interior tech feel more current, and the six‑cylinder AMG 53 gives the range a halo the Audi lacks until you step to RS money. If you want sharper edges, go BMW. If you want quiet confidence with occasional fireworks, this Benz fits. Australian reviewers have arrived at a similar read: relaxed touring manners, classy presentation, and a likeable AMG 53 for those who want extra shove.
2025 Mercedes CLE Coupe Review: Price, Alternatives, Size, Interior, Engine and Efficiency
Conclusion
As a package, the 2025 MERCEDES Cle gets the brief right. It looks expensive without screaming, it rides like a proper grand tourer, and the cabin makes daily life easier, not busier. The 2025 Mercedes Cle features set is generous, the 2025 Mercedes Cle engine options cover sensible and spirited, and real‑world 2025 Mercedes Cle fuel efficiency sits in the acceptable range for a luxurious two‑door. Price is not shy, yet the car feels cohesive in a way that encourages long trips and short detours alike. If your life has room for a coupe or a cabrio, the CLE deserves a spot on the shortlist.
Rating: 8.5/10
The styling is tasteful, the ride and refinement are spot on for Australia, and the AMG 53 adds the grin factor. The infotainment learning curve and tight rear space keep it from a nine, but as a modern take on the classic Benz coupe recipe, it is very convincing.