The new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, like the coupe upon which it’s based, serves as a replacement for the smaller C-Class and larger E-Class.

UPDATE, 06/08/2024 – We’ve updated this article with additional specification information that has become available. Our review of the related CLE Coupe is also now live.

Priced from $135,900 before on-road costs, the convertible went on sale in Australia on July 17, exclusively in CLE 300 4Matic guise. It’s around $12,000 more expensive than the coupe.

Standard equipment includes the AMG Line appearance package, Mercedes-Benz’s black trim Night Package, and the Digital Light package, providing adaptive LED headlights.

Mercedes-Benz says there’s a number of Cabriolet-specific features, such as heat-reflective leather upholstery, ‘Airscarf’ headroom heating and an ‘Aircap’ wind deflector system.

The 11.9-inch infotainment screen in the CLE Cabriolet can also be tilted between 15 and 40 degrees to avoid shining the sun’s rays back into the driver’s eyes while enjoying open-top motoring.

Pricing

Drivetrains

Efficiency

The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 Cabriolet uses 7.7L/100km on the combined cycle and requires 95 RON premium unleaded fuel.

Dimensions

Servicing and Warranty

Mercedes-Benz Australia backs its cars with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Safety

The Mercedes-Benz CLE has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Surround-view camera
• Traffic sign recognition

The optional Plus Package includes Mercedes-Benz’s Driving Assistant Package Plus. This is the name for an expanded suite of active safety technology, and includes:

• Active speed limit assist
• Front cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit warning
• Evasive steering assist
• Cyclist, pedestrian and vehicle detection

The more sophisticated adaptive cruise control system in the Plus Package also includes:

• Extended automatic restart function on motorways
• Route-based speed adaptation with end of traffic jam function
• Active Stop-and-Go Assist
• Active Steering Assist with hands-off warning

Standard Equipment

The CLE 300 Cabriolet comes standard with the following equipment:

• Fabric acoustic soft top (opens and closes in 20 seconds at up to 60km/h)
• ‘Airscarf’ headroom heating
• ‘Aircap’ wind deflector system
• Sports suspension
• AMG Line exterior and interior package
• Night Package with black trim elements
• Digital Light package with adaptive LED headlights
• 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system (capable of being tilted from 15 to 40 degrees)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Augmented reality satellite navigation
• Wireless phone charger
• 17-speaker Burmester sound system with Dolby Atmos
• Head-up display
• 64-colour ambient lighting
• Heat-reflective leather upholstery
• Heated front seats with memory 
• Automatic seatbelt feeder
• Easy-Entry function for rear-seat passengers with Nappa leather loop

Options

The optional Plus Package costs $4900 and includes:

• Driving Assistance Package Plus
• Ventilated front seats
• Multicontour front seats
• Memory Parking Assistant
• Air-Balance Package
• Guard 360° Vehicle Protection Plus

Colours

There are a range of interior and exterior colours available.

Interior colourways are:

• Black
• Tonka Brown/Black
• Macchiato Beige/Black
• Power Red/Black

The following exterior finishes don’t cost any extra:

• High-tech Silver metallic
• Polar White
• Graphite Grey metallic
• Obsidian Black metallic
• Spectral Blue metallic

The following finishes are cost options:

• Manufaktur Patagonia Red metallic ($1700)
• Opalite White metallic ($1700)
• Manufaktur Alpine Grey ($2900)

MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz CLE
MORE: 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe price and specs