2026 Mercedes CLE 450 Review

The CLE 450 delivers exhilarating acceleration, supportive front seats, and surprising agility.
At $80,120 as tested, choosing the right options matters.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC Coupe made its strongest impression on me from behind the wheel. Its conservative styling gives little indication of how entertaining it can be. Select Sport mode, accelerate, and the coupe's personality becomes much clearer.

I would describe it as a performance coupe without all the extra drama. Some people might call it a sleeper. The acceleration is exhilarating, the handling is superb, and the front seats make it easy to appreciate both.

Daryl Killian

My test vehicle carried an $80,120 sticker. At that price, the buying decision deserves a closer look at the equipment, particularly the option that helps explain this car's agility.

Daryl Killian

Pricing and Value
The CLE 450's base MSRP on my test vehicle's window sticker was $69,000. Options and the listed $1,250 destination charge brought the total to $80,120, before taxes and registration.

Some options enhance the appearance. Others affect the driving experience or add convenience. Understanding the equipment matters when comparing cars on a dealer's lot.

What Changed for 2026
The most relevant addition for this review is the optional Engineering Package for the CLE 450. It combines 2.5-degree rear-axle steering with adaptive suspension damping, and my test vehicle had it.

Mercedes also added a Black Fine Structure center-console option and made the surround-view camera system available separately. The car I drove had Metal Weave trim and center-console treatment.

Conservative Design With AMG Details
In this particular trim and color combination, my initial reaction was, "This is a female car." I was responding to the look, proportions, and conservative design. Once I drove it, the performance became the more interesting conversation.

Daryl Killian

I liked the Polar White exterior paired with the Power Red and Black leather interior. The optional black AMG wheels add the visual edge I would want, and the black exterior accents work well against the white paint.

AMG Line equipment is standard on the CLE 450. The optional 20-inch wheels are a separate upgrade. Buyers should also distinguish this model from the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 when comparing listings.

Daryl Killian

The Inline Six Is a Major Reason to Buy the 450
Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Output is 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, delivered through a nine-speed automatic and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Daryl Killian

The numbers provide context, but the response is what stayed with me. Acceleration feels exhilarating, especially in Sport mode. It gives the CLE the kind of performance that makes an ordinary drive something to look forward to.

Mercedes estimates a 4.2-second run from zero to 60 mph.

The combination of acceleration and handling had me thinking about how much I would enjoy driving this car on the Tail of the Dragon.

The Biggest Surprise Was the Agility
Around town, the CLE felt so maneuverable that I thought it must have all-wheel steering to go with its all-wheel drive. With the Engineering Package fitted to this car, it effectively did.

The handling felt especially good in Sport mode. Rear-axle steering and adaptive damping were part of the car that produced these impressions, which makes them useful details to know when shopping.

I would make this package a priority. A test drive of a differently equipped CLE 450 may not reproduce the same experience.

Front Seat Comfort and Technology
Front passenger space is good, the seating position works well, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. The cabin's ergonomics suited me. The red-and-black upholstery also gives the interior more personality than the exterior initially suggests.

Daryl Killian

Standard equipment includes an 11.9-inch center touchscreen, a 12.3-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic roof, and Burmester surround sound.

Daryl Killian

The screen and technology became background noise for me because I enjoyed driving the car so much. My strongest memory is how the CLE drove and how comfortable I felt in the front seat.

The rear compartment has two seats. My comfort assessment here is about the front seats. Buyers who regularly carry rear passengers should bring them along to check entry, headroom, and legroom.

Daryl Killian

Everyday Use and a Small Detail I Appreciated
One of my photos shows groceries hanging from the bag hanger inside the trunk. It is a simple convenience I appreciated during ordinary errands.

Daryl Killian

Mercedes lists 11.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity. I would check the opening and fit of the items I normally carry, particularly if this coupe were going to be my everyday car.

Respectable Fuel Economy and Smooth Restarts
The EPA label estimates 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. I consider those figures respectable for this level of performance. Buyers should also budget for premium gasoline.

I appreciated having the automatic stop/start deactivation control near the ignition switch. It was easy to find and use.

Even when I left the system enabled, the restart caused very little disruption inside the cabin. The engine felt well balanced and smooth, avoiding the pronounced interruption I have noticed in some other vehicles.

Safety and Driver Assistance
The driver-assistance features I used worked as expected. My test vehicle included the optional Driver Assistance Package, which expands the available assistance beyond the car's standard equipment.

It adds adaptive cruise control with steering assistance, additional lane and speed assistance, and expanded braking and PRE-SAFE functions.

What the Test Car's Options Add

The test vehicle also had optional leather upholstery.

Buyer Alert
An $80,120 CLE 450 deserves a comparison with the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 before signing. Mercedes listed the 2026 AMG CLE 53 Coupe at a $76,300 base MSRP before destination and options. Equipment can change that comparison considerably, so price both cars with the features you actually want.

Also, do not assume rear-axle steering is standard on every CLE 450. Confirm the Engineering Package on the specific car you are considering.

Where I Would Spend My Money
My first equipment priority would be the Engineering Package. The agility and handling were central to why I enjoyed this car.

I would choose the black AMG wheels for styling. I would then decide how much additional technology I wanted in Pinnacle Trim. Its features are worth considering, but the driving experience and front-seat comfort are what made this CLE stand out to me.

For someone primarily attracted to the design and cabin, the CLE 300 is also worth considering. Its published 2026 base MSRP was $59,550 before destination and options. If driving enjoyment is the priority, I would spend the extra money on the 450's six-cylinder performance.

The AutoNsider Buyer's Guide

• Best for: Someone who wants a luxury coupe with comfortable front seating and performance that makes driving enjoyable.
• Buy it if: You value the inline six, strong acceleration, and the agility of the Engineering Package fitted to this test car.
• Consider something else if: Your regular passengers need easier rear-seat access, or your budget depends on keeping the final price close to the base MSRP.
• Biggest strength: The combination of acceleration, handling, and front-seat comfort.
• Biggest compromise: The price of an extensively optioned car and the everyday access tradeoffs of a two-door coupe.
• Biggest surprise: How agile it felt around town, supported by the optional rear-axle steering.
• My preferred configuration: CLE 450 with the Engineering Package and black AMG wheels, with the remaining options chosen around actual use.

The AutoNsider Verdict

The 2026 Mercedes CLE 450 4MATIC Coupe earned my attention through the way it drove. I liked the front-seat comfort, the smooth engine, and the white exterior with the red-and-black interior. The acceleration and handling are what made it memorable.

At $80,120 as tested, I would be deliberate about the options and compare the final price with other CLE configurations. Equipped like this one, it makes a strong case for someone who wants a comfortable luxury coupe with a sleeper streak.

Test Vehicle Specifications