Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé Test Review

A lot of reviews will talk about length, wheelbase, power, torque, zero to 100 km/h, and, yes, those are important, and they’re in the spec sheet plastered on one of these story pages. But, in truth, the AMG CLE 53 took me back to the days of essential sports car joy. The proportions are generous but not too large or too compact.

The engine under the bonnet is the “M 256M”, an in-line six-cylinder unit with a turbocharger and an electrically powered compressor that uses the 48-volt system. An integrated electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the nine-speed torque-converter transmission also draws power from, as well as replenishes, the 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. This essentially eliminates turbo-lag and assists the engine in stop-go traffic situations as well as while coasting. The GLE 53 and E 53 models sold here also had the same powertrain, except that they served up 435 hp and 520 Nm. The new CLE packs an additional 10 kW and 40 Nm for a total of 449 hp and 560 Nm. There’s also an “Overboost” function that churns out a total of 600 Nm for up to 12 seconds. That’s a right riot with the vehicle dynamics display alongside filling up to the brim.

However, this car isn’t just for straight-line shenanigans. It drives beautifully. The feel is planted and well-sorted, be it in Comfort, Sport, or even Sport+ mode. Yes, it also gets the Slippery, Individual, and Race modes. But the beauty of it is the versatility. The ride quality is sublime. Bumps, undulations, and quick changes of direction are handled with ease. The standard active rear-wheel steering also makes for a more agile feel and better cornering dynamics, as well as a tighter turning radius on B-roads or narrow sections. It doesn’t feel dramatic. It feels relaxed. It can trundle at 70 km/h in seventh gear at 1,300 rpm in Comfort mode. It can also roar to 70 km/h in less than half those gears in Sport+, bumping the rev-limiter and instigating a yank of the right paddle.

That’s just it. The engine feels incredibly balanced, responding to input whether going at 40 km/h on a B-road or powering down the highway at 100 km/h—with the feeling that it can do it all day. It is quick yet unhurried, potent yet approachable, and not intimidating at all. It feels relaxed, enjoyable, and immersive, all the while keeping excitement levels high, even in traffic. It feels neither cumbersome to drive nor does it have a nagging feature that you have to accept as part of the package. The ground clearance is about 160 millimetres, dropping to 130 mm fully laden. While its nearly 2.9-metre wheelbase is rather generous, there was no belly-scraping even on moderately lumpy speed-humps, and higher ones were crabbed over with ease. With that sort of peace of mind, it felt even easier to get used to.

The 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering also make short work of dirt roads and even some off-road bits. Back on the tarmac, Sport mode provides an appreciable balance of power delivery, rate of acceleration, gear selection, and steering weight, making it a useful mode for all situations. However, if you happen to be low on fuel and need to eke out more per litre, Comfort shifts up quicker and keeps the revs low.

Now I’ve been given the opportunity to drive and test a fair few Mercedes cars—Benz, AMG as well as Maybach—in India and abroad. The last most usable all-rounder I actually liked was the AMG C 43 Sedan. The AMG CLE 53 is genuinely delightful; it appeals to one’s inner child, striking an excellent balance between performance and everyday usability. It offers a supple ride, a long list of equipment, and an ease of use that isn’t often seen in this sort of segment. Be it a short trip for a few short bursts of adrenaline after dark in the city, a few quick hits of dopamine on a weekend sojourn, or a long and demanding cross-country journey, the AMG CLE 53 Coupé can be an engaging sports car or a fairly capable grand touring car. Dare I say, it looks like a Mustang but drives like a 911. High praise? Seems worthy to me.