2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet: Is This Luxury Convertible a Dying Breed Worth Saving?

Car enthusiasts often lament the decline of performance vehicles, but an even rarer breed graces the roads today: the two-door luxury convertible. Once a symbol of style and freedom, these open-top cruisers have become scarce. However, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet emerges as a compelling contender, aiming to reignite passion for this niche. This all-new model cleverly merges the essence of the former E-Class and C-Class convertibles, presenting a longer wheelbase and a more substantial presence than its C-Class predecessor, while stopping just shy of the E-Class’s grand dimensions. Recently, we spent considerable time in Los Angeles, under the California sun, with the base CLE 300 4MATIC model. The experience left us pondering a crucial question: Why aren’t more drivers embracing this exceptional class of automobile?

First Impressions: Design and Interior of the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet

Historically, convertibles derived from coupes often suffer aesthetically. Consider the Porsche 911 Cabriolet or the Mazda RX-7 Convertible – their transformations can be less than graceful. Yet, the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet defies this trend. Whether the top is up or down, the CLE maintains an undeniable visual appeal, particularly in its open-air configuration. Its flowing lines and abbreviated rear overhang contribute to a refined and luxurious aesthetic. It’s a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s design prowess that the CLE Cabriolet can convert even skeptics of coupe-to-convertible designs.

Stepping inside the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet reveals a spacious and inviting cabin. Front passengers enjoy a generous 40.2 inches of headroom with the top raised and 55.7 inches of shoulder room. Rear passengers are also comfortably accommodated with 36 inches of headroom and 48.1 inches of shoulder room. The trunk offers a respectable 9.6 cubic feet of cargo space, further expandable thanks to the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The supple leather seating, equipped with both heating and ventilation, creates a luxurious environment. Mercedes-Benz has also incorporated a special coating on the leather seats designed to reduce heat buildup in direct sunlight. While our sun-drenched Los Angeles drives didn’t reveal a dramatic temperature difference, the seats remained comfortable even with extended top-down exposure.

Mirroring Mercedes-Benz’s contemporary design philosophy, the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet’s interior largely eliminates physical buttons in favor of digital interfaces. An 11.9-inch portrait-oriented center screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, both powered by Mercedes’ intuitive third-generation MBUX software, dominate the dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay connects effortlessly and launches quickly, and navigating the system’s settings and applications is generally lag-free. However, the haptic feedback steering wheel controls require acclimatization, and mastering the full breadth of MBUX functionality demands a learning curve. The glossy screen surfaces are also prone to fingerprints and smudges. A thoughtful feature borrowed from the SL model is the screen’s tilt adjustment, activated at the touch of a button, which effectively minimizes glare from sunlight at any angle.

Driving Dynamics: Experiencing the CLE 300 4MATIC on the Road

Convertibles inherently carry a weight penalty due to structural reinforcements needed to compensate for the missing roof, and the top retraction mechanism adds further mass. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet, despite its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, tips the scales at a surprising 4,288 pounds. This weight exceeds even that of the all-wheel-drive BMW M3 sedan.

On paper, the engine specifications of the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet’s four-cylinder might seem modest: 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. However, Mercedes-Benz equips all CLE models with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, providing an additional 23 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque when needed. This electric boost significantly enhances responsiveness. The CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet achieves 0-60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds – not supercar territory, but certainly brisk for a vehicle of this weight and class. It maintains composure at highway speeds without strain. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while occasionally hesitant to downshift for quick overtaking maneuvers, is well-calibrated for fuel efficiency. At 80 mph, the engine hums quietly around 2,000 rpm, contributing to relaxed cruising.

The CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet’s ride and handling are surprisingly refined for its weight. While not an AMG performance model, it delivers an enjoyable driving experience suitable for daily use. Our test vehicle featured the AMG-packaged sport suspension with passive dampers, coupled with a four-link front and five-arm multilink rear independent suspension. Body control remained composed on winding roads, proving surprisingly engaging. The chassis exhibited confidence during spirited cornering, with smooth compression and rebound. Occasional mid-corner shudders reminded us of the convertible’s roofless design, adding a touch of character without feeling unsettling. Ride quality on rougher Los Angeles roads was firm but acceptable, comparable to other vehicles lacking air suspension in this price range.

Cornering grip from the non-performance summer tires was commendable, although steering feedback was somewhat muted. Steering effort was light overall, with only a subtle increase in weight at higher speeds and larger steering angles. The brake pedal offered a balanced feel between softness and firmness, and the sport brakes provided impressive stopping power. Mercedes-Benz’s advanced driver assistance systems, including radar cruise control (“Distronic”) and Lane Change Assist, were user-friendly and functioned reliably. Active Steering Assist performed adequately, although Southern California’s inconsistent highway lane markings occasionally challenged the system, a common issue for such technologies.

Ups and Downs: Analyzing the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet’s Strengths and Weaknesses

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet capably caters to a broad spectrum of preferences and needs. Its open-top experience is genuinely enjoyable, encouraging frequent top-down drives throughout our 550-mile test. Wind noise remains minimal with the windows up, even at highway speeds, further enhanced by Mercedes-Benz’s Aircap wind deflection system. While the deployed Aircap might not win design awards, its effectiveness is undeniable.

With the soft top raised, sound insulation remains comparable to a traditional hardtop, and the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet retains its attractive silhouette. Mercedes-Benz includes its Airscarf system as standard, directing warm air around the neck area for cooler climates, though it was unnecessary during our summer test week. Despite its well-rounded nature, the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet has a few minor drawbacks. The four-cylinder engine’s soundtrack is unremarkable, although the distinct turbocharger sounds are audibly engaging.

As a convertible coupe, the doors are substantial and might prove cumbersome for smaller or older occupants. Rear visibility with the top up is somewhat restricted, and over-the-shoulder checks for lane changes are challenging. Modern driver aids mitigate these issues, but traditionalists may find it noticeable. The parking sensors exhibited a heightened sensitivity to surroundings, a characteristic observed in other recent Mercedes-Benz models, which can become occasionally intrusive.

Features, Options, and Competition: Positioning the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet in the Market

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet starts at $65,500. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, voice control, a high-fidelity Burmester 3D sound system, heated seats, three USB-C ports, power-folding mirrors, and a leather steering wheel. Our test vehicle incorporated Starling Blue metallic paint ($750), 20-inch AMG wheels ($1,150), the AMG Line package ($3,000), front seat ventilation ($450), multi-contour massaging seats ($950), and the Driver Assistance Package ($1,095), bringing the total price to $73,750.

The primary competitor to the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet is the BMW 430i convertible, starting at $59,695. The BMW features a similarly potent turbo-four engine, comparable 0-60 mph times, mild hybrid technology, rear-wheel drive, and a comparable array of luxury features and options. The Audi A5 Cabriolet, starting at $56,695, offers slightly more horsepower, a marginally quicker 0-60 mph time, and all-wheel drive but lacks hybrid assistance. Interestingly, the soft-top operation speeds differ slightly: Audi’s top retracts fastest at 15 seconds, BMW at 18 seconds, and Mercedes-Benz at 20 seconds. However, the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet’s top can operate at speeds up to 37 mph, slightly faster than its rivals.

Fuel Efficiency: Balancing Performance with Economy

Thanks to its mild hybrid system and efficient 2.0-liter engine, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The more powerful CLE 450, equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, surprisingly returns the same fuel economy figures despite its increased 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Compared to its direct competitors, the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet is marginally less fuel-efficient, yet still remarkably thrifty, especially considering its weight.

Verdict: A Compelling Case for the Luxury Convertible

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet stands as a survivor in a dwindling segment. Beyond its BMW and Audi rivals, genuinely few options exist for compact premium convertibles that aren’t either outright sports cars or ultra-luxury vehicles. This scarcity makes the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet all the more appealing. Its comfortable interior, well-balanced handling and ride, adequate performance, commendable fuel economy, and year-round usability create a sense of occasion that elevates the everyday driving experience. Prospective buyers in the market for a luxury convertible should certainly consider the CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet. In fact, even those not actively seeking a convertible might find themselves drawn to this increasingly rare and desirable breed of automobile, discovering the joys of open-top motoring more frequently than anticipated.