2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe

Performance

The CLE Coupe features two different engines, a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder, each with turbochargers and a 48-volt hybrid system that boosts power by 23 horsepower and torque by 148 lb-ft. A second-generation Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) helps provide smooth starts from a stop.

The 2026 CLE 300 4MATIC® has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that produces 255 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from 2,000-3,200 rpm. The model is rated to accelerate from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and has an EPA-estimated mpg of 24 in the city, 33 on the highway, and a combined figure of 27.

The CLE 450 4MATIC® increases performance with a 3.0-liter turbocharged Inline-6 that produces 375 horsepower from 5,800-6,100 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque from 1,800-5,000 rpm. Thanks to the twin-scroll turbocharger and ISG, the CLE 450 has virtually no turbo lag.

All CLE models come with the 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission, which has been optimized by moving the electric motor, power electronics, and transmission cooler onto and into the transmission itself.

4MATIC® All-Wheel Drive is standard on all CLE Coupes. It is optimized to handle more power at the front axle and to improve power distribution between the axles, resulting in better overall driving dynamics. Weight has also been reduced across various areas to make the system lighter than previous 4MATIC® iterations.

The CLE’s primary focus is on handling. The CLE 300 comes standard with a new Comfort suspension tuned to deliver exceptionally luxurious ride quality while maintaining direct handling in all conditions. The CLE 450 rides on a Sport-tuned suspension, which is also available on the CLE 300 through the AMG® Package.

A new available Engineering Package features a 2.5-degree rear-axle steering for more nimble handling both on the highway and in tight parking situations. It also includes an adaptive damping suspension system that automatically adjusts damper stiffness based on driving conditions, providing a comfortable ride that immediately tightens for performance driving.

The performance flagship of the CLE model line is the AMG® CLE 53 Coupe. Under the hood is an AMG®-enhanced 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo engine, which includes electric assist to the compressor for greater power at lower RPM. It produces 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, with an additional boost from the mild-hybrid system. This brings the 0-60 acceleration time to 4.0 seconds. The mild-hybrid system also helps achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 in the city, 27 on the highway, and 23 combined.

Exterior

A compelling design that highlights the long wheelbase is complemented by an A-pillar angled to reveal a lower roofline, which leads straight back to the rear trunk lid.

Mercedes-Benz calls its current design language “Sensual Purity.” With it, you get a sculpted style defined by its long, flowing surfaces and seamless transitions between body panels. When looking at the CLE, it appears athletic, with a progressive front end that evokes a shark nose. The 3D grille is elegant and tasteful, and the power-dome hoods on all CLE models give the models a mature, muscular appearance.

The CLE model line includes 11 exterior colors, including:

• Polar White (n/a AMG®)
• Black
• Obsidian Black metallic
• Graphite Grey metallic (n/a AMG®)
• Sun Yellow
• Cirrus Silver metallic
• Starling Blue metallic
• MANUFAKTUR® Alpine Grey
• MANUFAKTUR® Moonlight metallic
• MANUFAKTUR® Patagonia Red metallic
• MANUFAKTUR® Mountain Gray Magno (n/a AMG®)
• MANUFAKTUR® Starling Blue Magno (matte, AMG®-only)

Interior

Compared with the C and E-Class coupes, the CLE has big shoes to fill. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz has designed it to offer generous space for a coupe, along with its usual beautifully appointed materials and technology.

Standard and AMG® Line CLEs feature animal-free MB-TEX seat upholstery made from 65% recycled materials, while the seat inner linings are 85% recycled. Quilted Nappa leather seats with longitudinal piping and diamond-shaped perforated surfaces are optional. Plant-based tanning agents are used to create the seat colors. Colors available in MB-TEX include Macchiato Beige/Black and Tonka Brown/Black.

As mentioned before, the CLE 450 is standard with the AMG® Line, and with that, the instrument panel and beltlines are lined in MB-TEX, which closely resembles Nappa leather. Upholstery color options include Black to Macchiato Beige/Black, Tonka Brown/Black, and Power Red/Black to White/Black Nappa leather.

Interior trims available include natural-grain walnut, fine-line anthracite wood, metal weave, a new silver mixed-metal fabric trim, and an open-pored black wood veneer interspersed with fine aluminum inlays.

Technology

The CLE Coupe comes standard with a Burmester® 3D surround sound system.** The 17-speaker sound system features 16 channels with 710 watts, with two front bass speakers in the front footwells; one midrange speaker each in the doors and rear side panels; one tweeter each in the doors and rear side walls; two surround speakers on the parcel shelf; a center fill speaker in the center of the instrument panel; and two near-ear loudspeakers in each of the front seats

An option for the system is a 360-degree spatial-shaping audio experience with Dolby Atmos®. If you have an Apple Music subscription, you will be able to take advantage of more songs being added to the Spatial Audio collection with Dolby Atmos. Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to become the first major record label to work with its artists to record and mix their music in Dolby Atmos® to deliver the best sound in the CLE.

As part of the Pinnacle trim available across all three drivetrains, the augmented video uses front-camera imagery. It superimposes useful information, such as street names, house numbers, and guiding arrows, onto a real-time view of the approaching environment.

Safety

Advanced Safety has always been part of the Mercedes-Benz value proposition, with pioneering innovations such as the first crumple zones, driver’s airbag, electronic stability control, and more. Thus, it is no surprise that the CLE model line safety package goes beyond the industry norms with innovations such as:

• ATTENTION ASSIST® – Monitors up to 70 parameters of driving behavior and automatically alerts the driver with both visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness on long trips.
• PRESAFE® – Detects instability during certain vehicle maneuvers that suggest a collision or rollover is imminent. It can then tighten the front seat belts, adjust the front passenger seat, and close the windows and sunroof, all to better prepare the occupants and restraints in the moments before a collision.
• PRESAFE® Sound – When the sensors of PRESAFE® detect an impending impact, the sound system emits a unique “pink noise” tone, the frequency of which is tuned to trigger a natural reflex in the human ear canal that helps shut out loud noises in advance of the actual impact.

An extensive list of other standard CLE safety features can be found in the model listing below. Additionally available is the Assistance Package, which features the following suite of both driver assistance and safety technologies:

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC® — This system not only keeps your vehicle at a set distance while using cruise control but also reacts to stationary vehicles, automatically restarts if you come to a complete stop, and can be set to 130 mph.
• Intersection Approach Function – Helps keep you aware of cross traffic and its direction. If you attempt to pull into traffic, a warning is given, and the vehicle applies the brakes. You can cancel this by pressing the gas pedal.
• Active Steering Assist: Helps you steer when the vehicle can trace the lanes on the road, allowing you to rest your hands on the steering wheel.
• Active Lane Change Assist – Assists in changing lanes when you use the turn signal stalk to direct it to change lanes. It will not work, however, if it detects a solid line for the lane you are trying to go into.
• Active Emergency Stop Assist – When traveling above 37 mph, the car monitors the driver’s attention and alerts if they are not paying attention. If the driver no longer has their hands on the wheel, the vehicle will come to a complete stop and activate its hazard lights. At this point, the doors will be unlocked, and the vehicle assistant will immediately call for help with the Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call.
• Active Brake Assist uses sensors to assist the driver in making an emergency stop if it detects that a crash is imminent.
• Avoidance Steering Assistant: At speeds up to 68 mph, the car can help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
• Active Lane Keeping Assist – Available from 37 mph and faster, monitors lane markings on the sides of the vehicle to help keep you in the lane you are in. If a crash is imminent, the vehicle can help steer the driver out of the situation and will alert the driver visually and audibly.
• Active Blind Spot Assist – Provides visual and audible warnings to the driver if the vehicle starts to leave its current lane without signaling, or if signaling is present but there is something in the blind spot. Even when stationary, the system can still alert you to an approaching object as you open your door to exit.
• PRESAFE® PLUS – If the vehicle detects that a rear-end collision is imminent, it will pre-fire the seat belt tensioners to brace for the impact. If the vehicle is stationary and the sensors detect a potential crash, the brakes lock to minimize forward movement upon impact. This helps to ensure less damage to other vehicles and reduces whiplash for occupants.
• PRESAFE® Impulse Side – If a side collision is detected, the car inflates air chambers in the front-seat side bolsters to push the driver or passenger toward the center of the car before impact. Mercedes-Benz says these will immediately deploy within fractions of a second before the side of the vehicle is impacted.