The 2026 Mercedes CLE 300 Proves the Luxury Coupe Isn’t Dead Yet

The CLE 300 is the kind of Mercedes we’re starting to lose, and it makes me sad.

I have mixed feelings about the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300. It is a proper two-door luxury coupe at a time when manufacturers are gradually walking away from them. Audi discontinued the two-door A5 after the 2024 model year. Lexus ended production of the RC after 2025. In 2026, BMW’s 4 Series and Mercedes’ CLE are the only remaining choices if I want a luxury coupe without spending six figures.

That makes me appreciate the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300.

But after looking past the design and understanding what owners like and dislike, I think the CLE 300 has two sides. First, Mercedes still knows how to make a stylish, quiet, and comfortable coupe. Second, the old Mercedes feel has been lost because of big screens and touch controls.

That second part makes me a little sad.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC at a glance

Mercedes also says the integrated starter-generator can provide up to 23 hp of temporary power boost, but that doesn’t mean the engine becomes 278 hp. Its purpose is to fill gaps in power delivery and smooth out driving.

The 2026 CLE 300 is one of Mercedes’ best-looking cars

The strongest argument for buying a 2026 Mercedes CLE 300 was obvious before I even got to the engine. It looks hot.

The long hood, short rear deck, low roof, and sleek sides give it the proportions everyone would love. It does not need oversized vents or an extreme body kit to get attention.

Even people who criticize the interior, engine choice, or compare it with the previous E-Class coupe tend to agree that the CLE 300 is a very attractive car.

I also like that the CLE 300 does not look like a two-door C-Class with the rear doors removed. It is 191 inches long and has a presence. Mercedes essentially positioned it between the old C-Class and E-Class coupes, although underneath, it shares its 112.8-inch wheelbase and much of its architecture with the current C-Class.

There is one detail I miss from the old E-Class coupe. The Mercedes CLE 300 is not pillarless. That doesn’t ruin the car’s appeal, but the old E-Class, with all four side windows lowered, had a special look the CLE cannot beat.

The CLE 300 is quick enough, but I don’t like the engine much

A 255-hp four-cylinder in a $60,000 Mercedes coupe does not sound exciting. And it isn’t.

Mercedes claims 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is perfectly adequate for daily driving, but don’t expect the CLE 300 to be as powerful as an AMG. I am fine with that because I don’t think outright speed is this car’s job.

The engine makes 295 lb-ft of torque from just 2,000 rpm, and the mild-hybrid assistance smooths out the underpowered feel. The nine-speed automatic generally keeps the engine where it needs to be, while standard all-wheel drive makes the car easy to use year-round.

If I wanted to enjoy the engine, I would spend more for the Mercedes CLE 450 and its 375-hp inline six-cylinder engine.

But I also understand the CLE 300’s appeal. It gives me the same basic shape, sophisticated cabin, all-wheel drive, and luxury-car character while returning 34 mpg on the highway.

For a car I would use every day, that matters more than an acceleration I might exploit occasionally.

This car makes more sense as a grand tourer than a sports coupe

I would not buy a 2026 Mercedes CLE 300 expecting BMW steering feedback.

The steering is accurate, and the car feels stable. For me, the important part is that Mercedes didn’t turn the base CLE into an unnecessarily stiff sports car.

There is some body movement when I push it, and the steering is not particularly communicative. Still, I would rather have that than a base luxury coupe that punishes me over rough pavement to fake performance.

It is worth keeping expectations realistic, though. Previous E-Class coupe owners describe the CLE as less refined on the road. So I would call the CLE 300 comfortable, but I would not call it an E-Class coupe replacement in terms of ride quality.

The interior looks expensive, but I wish Mercedes had kept physical controls

This is where my relationship with the CLE 300 becomes more complicated.

The cabin is beautiful. There is a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, an 11.9-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, and a standard Burmester surround-sound system.

At night, it can look genuinely special.

But underneath that presentation, the CLE’s dashboard is much closer to the C-Class than the previous E-Class coupe. That isn’t necessarily bad, but I can see why longtime Mercedes owners consider it a downgrade.

The bigger issue for me is usability.

Mercedes has moved too many basic functions onto the touchscreen or capacitive controls. Climate functions live on the screen. The steering wheel uses touch-sensitive areas that are easy to activate accidentally.

I can learn a touchscreen, but that doesn’t make it a better solution. For something I adjust repeatedly while driving, a proper button or dial is still easier to use without taking my attention away from the road.

The CLE’s technology impresses me when I am sitting in the car. Some of it annoys me when I actually need to use it.

It is more usable than its shape suggests, but it is still a coupe

Nobody should buy this car and then complain about having two doors.

The front cabin has plenty of room, and Mercedes has made rear access easier with front seats that slide forward electrically. The rear seats are more usable than those in some competing coupes, but adults still won’t choose them for a long trip.

The long doors create another normal coupe problem. They need space to open, which can be annoying in tight parking spaces.

None of this bothers me much because it is part of the reason the car looks the way it does.

The 2026 Mercedes CLE 300 makes the most sense to me as a car for one or two people, with occasional rear passengers rather than regular ones. If I regularly carried four adults, I would buy an E-Class or C-Class sedan instead.

The Mercedes CLE 300 also has a value problem

The 2026 CLE 300 starts at $59,550 before Mercedes’ $1,350 destination charge. That puts the effective entry price at $60,900 before I start selecting options. That is substantial money for a four-cylinder coupe based heavily on C-Class hardware.

The problem becomes even more obvious when I add expensive paint, upgraded leather, seat options, driver-assistance equipment, and appearance packages. The price can easily move far away from the attractive number shown at the beginning.

At that point, I would seriously consider moving to the CLE 450 instead. Its inline-six addresses one of my biggest reservations about the CLE 300 and gives the car the powertrain character I expect from a premium Mercedes coupe.

But I would not automatically dismiss the 300. For someone who cares more about design, comfort, fuel economy, and daily usability than engine sound or acceleration, the cheaper car still makes sense.

Should you buy a 2026 Mercedes CLE 300?

Yes, but only if you understand exactly what you are buying. The 2026 Mercedes CLE 300 is not a sports car. It is not quite the modern equivalent of the old E-Class coupe either. And I do not think the four-cylinder engine or touchscreen-heavy interior represents Mercedes at its absolute best.

But yes, it is a stylish, luxury coupe for daily driving with enough power and standard all-wheel drive. If comfort and design matter more than performance, the CLE 300 is a solid choice. If you want more power and character, consider the CLE 450.