New 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE: A Complete Guide

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe represents a harmonious blend of elegance, power, and innovation. As a new addition to the Mercedes-Benz lineup, it bridges the gap between the C-Class and E-Class Coupes, offering a larger, more versatile option without compromising on the brand’s hallmark luxury and performance. This guide explores the CLE’s design, interior space, powertrain options, performance features, comfort and safety technologies, and connectivity, providing a thorough understanding of what makes this model exceptional.

Interior and Exterior Design Features

Exterior Design

The CLE Coupe exudes a sense of motion even when stationary, thanks to its aerodynamic silhouette and dynamic character lines. The front end is marked by a pronounced “shark nose,” featuring a low-slung hood and a newly designed radiator grille with a single louver in gloss black and chrome trim. The sleek LED headlights, equipped with optional DIGITAL LIGHT technology, add to its commanding presence.

Key dimensions include a length of 4,851 mm, a width of 1,859 mm, and a height of 1,428 mm, making it significantly larger than the C-Class Coupe but maintaining a sleek profile. The wheelbase extends to 2,865 mm, enhancing stability and interior space. The short overhangs (889 mm front, 1,097 mm rear) and muscular shoulders contribute to its athletic stance.

The rear of the CLE Coupe features two-part LED taillights with a unique three-dimensional design. The lights are connected by a dark red element, emphasizing the vehicle’s width. The sculpted rear bumper and integrated chrome exhaust tips add to the sporty appeal. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels can be upgraded to 19-inch or 20-inch rims, allowing for a high degree of customization. The CLE is available in ten exterior colors, including classic shades and more vibrant options.

Interior Design

Inside, the CLE Coupe offers a luxurious and driver-focused environment. The interior is highlighted by a free-standing 12.3-inch digital driver display and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen, slightly angled towards the driver for ease of use. The central display integrates seamlessly with the centre console, creating a sleek and modern look.

The CLE’s seats are a highlight, featuring an avant-garde sports design with integrated headrests. Optional Burmester® 3D surround sound system includes speakers integrated into the seats, providing an immersive audio experience. The standard seats are upholstered in high-quality materials, with options for vegetable-tanned leather and sustainable fabric blends.

Ambient lighting with 64 color options enhances the interior atmosphere, while dynamic lighting accents on the instrument panel, centre console, and doors add a touch of elegance. The spacious cabin offers increased headroom, shoulder room, and knee room compared to the C-Class Coupe, ensuring comfort for all passengers. The trunk space is also generous, accommodating up to three golf bags.

Powertrain Lineup and Performance

Mild-Hybrid Powertrains

The 2025 CLE Coupe offers a range of powerful and efficient engines. In Canada, the CLE 300 4MATIC features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine is equipped with a second-generation integrated starter generator (ISG) that provides an additional 23 hp and 148 lb-ft of boost torque, enhancing performance and efficiency.

Globally, the CLE 450 4MATIC is available with a 3.0-litre inline-six engine, delivering 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The twin-scroll turbocharger and ISG ensure smooth and responsive power delivery. All engines are paired with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, optimized for performance and efficiency. The CLE is also offered in a powerful AMG trim, which is covered in a separate article.

Enhanced Agility

The CLE Coupe’s performance is supported by advanced suspension and handling technologies. The standard suspension system is designed for a balance of comfort and agility, with adaptive damping that adjusts to road conditions in real-time. The AMG Line package offers a sportier suspension setup, with stiffer springs and dampers for enhanced cornering and handling.

The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, standard in Canada, provides excellent traction and stability in various driving conditions. The system has been improved to handle higher torque and distribute it more effectively between the axles, enhancing driving dynamics.

Comfort Tech and Features

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe ensures a comfortable ride with an array of advanced comfort technologies and features designed to enhance the driving experience for both the driver and passengers.

Seats and Adjustability

The CLE Coupe comes standard with multi-contour front seats that can be adjusted in various ways to ensure optimal comfort. These seats feature electro-pneumatic lumbar support that can be adjusted to suit individual preferences, helping to reduce fatigue during long drives. Additionally, the front seats are equipped with heating as standard, providing warmth on cold days.

For those seeking an extra layer of luxury, the CLE offers optional ventilated and massaging front seats. The ventilated seats circulate air to keep occupants cool during hot weather, while the massaging function provides targeted relief to the back and thighs, enhancing relaxation and comfort on longer journeys. The memory function allows up to three different drivers to save their preferred seating positions, including the settings for the steering wheel and exterior mirrors, ensuring a personalized driving experience each time.

Keyless Entry and Start

The CLE Coupe is equipped with the KEYLESS-GO comfort package, allowing for effortless entry and ignition. This feature enables the driver to unlock and start the car without removing the key from their pocket or bag. The doors can be locked or unlocked by simply touching the door handle, and the engine can be started with the push of a button. The trunk can also be opened and closed hands-free with the HANDS-FREE ACCESS feature, which is activated by a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper.

Climate Control and Ambient Lighting

The CLE Coupe features dual-zone automatic climate control as standard, allowing the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures independently. The system ensures that the cabin remains at a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outside. The advanced climate control system also includes a sensor that monitors the quality of the air entering the cabin and can automatically switch to recirculation mode if it detects high levels of pollutants.

Ambient lighting with 64 color options is another standard feature that enhances the cabin atmosphere. This system allows occupants to customize the lighting to suit their mood, with dynamic lighting accents on the instrument panel, centre console, and doors adding a touch of elegance and creating a welcoming environment.

Interior Space and Practicality

With its longer wheelbase and smart interior design, the CLE Coupe offers generous space for both front and rear passengers. Rear seat passengers benefit from increased headroom, shoulder room, and knee room compared to the C-Class Coupe, ensuring a comfortable ride even on longer journeys. The trunk space is also generous, offering enough room to accommodate up to three golf bags, making it practical for weekend getaways or a day at the golf course.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Safety is paramount in the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe, which comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features designed to protect occupants and enhance the driving experience.

Standard Safety Features

The CLE Coupe includes several standard safety features that provide peace of mind for drivers and passengers. ATTENTION ASSIST monitors the driver’s behavior and can detect signs of drowsiness or inattention, prompting the driver to take a break if necessary. Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function can detect potential collisions with vehicles ahead, crossing traffic, or pedestrians and can apply the brakes automatically to mitigate or prevent an accident.

Blind Spot Assist helps to prevent side collisions by warning the driver if there is a vehicle in their blind spot when changing lanes. Adaptive Highbeam Assist adjusts the headlights to provide optimal illumination without dazzling other road users. Traffic Sign Assist recognizes and displays road signs, helping the driver stay informed about speed limits and other important information.

Advanced Driver Assistance Package

For those seeking even more advanced safety features, the optional Driver Assistance Package includes several cutting-edge technologies that enhance safety and convenience. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead and can bring the car to a complete stop in traffic, then resume driving when traffic moves. This system can also automatically adjust the speed based on traffic signs and navigation data.

Active Steering Assist helps the driver stay in their lane by providing gentle steering inputs. It can also automatically restart the vehicle after it has come to a stop in traffic, provided the driver’s hands are on the wheel. Active Lane Change Assist supports lane changes by scanning the surrounding area and assisting with steering when it’s safe to do so.

Active Emergency Stop Assist can bring the vehicle to a controlled stop if it detects that the driver is no longer actively driving, while Evasive Steering Assist helps the driver steer around obstacles in critical situations. Active Blind Spot Assist provides visual and audible warnings if there is a risk of a side collision and can apply corrective braking if necessary.

PRE-SAFE® Technology

The CLE Coupe also features Mercedes-Benz’s PRE-SAFE® technology, which can detect imminent collisions and take preventive measures to protect occupants. PRE-SAFE® PLUS can activate the rear hazard warning lights at an increased frequency if a rear-end collision is imminent and lock the brakes to reduce forward motion. PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side can inflate air chambers in the seat bolsters to move occupants away from the impact zone if a side collision is detected.

Connectivity and Multimedia Features

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe is equipped with the latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, setting a new standard for in-car connectivity and multimedia capabilities. This system is designed to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience, combining advanced technology with user-friendly features to enhance every journey.

MBUX Infotainment System

At the heart of the CLE Coupe’s connectivity is the MBUX system, which includes a pair of high-resolution screens: a 12.3-inch digital driver display and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen. These displays are designed to be highly customizable, allowing drivers to tailor the information and visuals to their preferences. The central display is slightly angled towards the driver for optimal visibility and ease of use, creating a cockpit-like environment that emphasizes the driver’s role.

Voice Control with “Hey Mercedes”

A standout feature of the MBUX system is its advanced voice control functionality. Activated with the phrase “Hey Mercedes,” this feature allows drivers to control various functions without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. The voice assistant can understand natural language commands, making it easier to operate navigation, climate control, and entertainment options. Additionally, the system can be activated without a specific keyword when the “Just Talk” function is enabled, enhancing convenience and safety.

Third-Party App Support

The MBUX system supports a wide range of third-party apps, enabling a customized entertainment experience. This integration allows users to access their favorite apps directly from the central touchscreen, ensuring that their digital lives are seamlessly integrated into their driving experience. Whether it’s checking emails, browsing social media, or accessing specialized navigation apps, the CLE Coupe’s infotainment system keeps drivers connected.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe is a standout model in the luxury coupe segment, offering a blend of dynamic design, powerful performance, advanced technology, and luxurious comfort. Whether you’re drawn to its sleek exterior, sophisticated interior, or cutting-edge features, the CLE Coupe is designed to impress and deliver an exceptional driving experience.