The very fortunate nature of this automotive journalism lark means that even very good PH Fleet cars don’t linger in the memory for all that long. There are loan vehicles before, during and after, plus less scope than ever to really take those cars that are around longer on unforgettable trips. Plenty conspires against them being yearned for after they’ve gone back - because there’s always something else to be distracted by.
So you know it’s a good ’un when something is still being talked about for a good time after its departure. I still have the key ring for the GT86 that was PH’s for six months once upon a time; I can’t help but still be drawn to old FK8 Civic Type Rs, especially in blue, wherever I see them. Both were joyous company for much longer ago than I’d like to admit.
If for less time and fewer miles, the Mercedes CLE 53 has left a similarly favourable impression; more recently, too, so there hasn’t been time for the rose-tinted specs to embellish the memories. And without hugely significant events during the loan, like the North Coast 500 with the Toyota or Covid lockdown with the Civic. In its own way though, the big Merc really wormed its way into my affections.
For a start, there wasn’t a journey that the CLE didn’t improve. A child seat could just about be squeezed into the back, and my son loved shouting for a new ambient light colour; when traffic snarled up it was calm and cossetting; a gentle cruise could yield almost 35mpg. And when a good road presented itself, the ‘53 was assured, adept, and entertaining. In isolation, it’s not the most exciting driver’s car in the world, sure; but the back-to-back with a CLE 450 demonstrated how extensively AMG had been through the car, improving the feel of every dynamic interface without sacrificing the refinement and luxury of the standard version. That’s really important, and often overlooked: if steering and brakes and damping are good, then it makes the car nice to drive in every scenario, rather than a very specific set of circumstances.
While Merc interiors have come in for some flak of late (often with good reason) the new layout became familiar very quickly. Quality, so often a modern Mercedes bugbear, was impressive. There are large, easily accessible icons on the screen for deactivating assist systems, and the wheel-mounted controls for adjusting the drive modes made any other method seem long-winded. Typically Sport covered off every driving situation, a little tauter and keener without being contrived; the mid-way setting for the ESP always seemed more than lenient enough to make the Drift mode - only available with the £7,500 Pro Performance Package - feel unnecessary. If not quite as dextrous as BMW xDrive, the Mercedes 4Matic system always felt to balance safety and silliness very well.
On a more subjective note, the CLE design most certainly counted in its favour. It was one of those cars that made you feel very satisfied just walking up to it, and that shouldn’t be underestimated when thinking about what a premium coupe like this now costs. Again it was comparison tests that really brought the point home: both the regular CLE and BMW M440i were a little meek and apologetic by comparison. And the full-fat M cars, to these eyes, remain a tad over the top - however good they undoubtedly are to drive. The 53 struck just the right balance between moody and mean enough to those looking - the front arches and wheel fitment in particular - without excessively flaunting its flagship status.
Gripes? The nine-speed auto was never quite up to snuff, particularly when using the paddles - which was especially disappointing given how good they were to use. There was often a delay going up and a hesitancy going down; not the end of the world, because the auto programming in all modes was intelligent and the ratios fine, yet still irksome given how the rest of the car encouraged getting stuck in. The voice assist was horrible, too, useful for the odd request but far too overbearing and interfering otherwise. Fortunately that could be disabled. And never, ever reactivated.
So it looked great, drove with real aplomb and made the driver feel really special behind the three-pointed star on the wheel. You hardly need to hear more about the 3.0-litre mild-hybrid engine because it's been so heavily praised elsewhere - but it seems fitting enough here to say that it was good enough to make pining for a V8 (mostly) a non-event. Moreover, while it already seems familiar, it's worth reiterating that the size between C- and E-Class is a really nice fit. An M4 would be more exciting, no doubt, though it’s significantly more money; an M2 is broadly cut from the same cloth, though even as someone less bothered by the look than most it can’t hold a candle to the Merc for kerb appeal.
And yet I’ve not seen another one. It's very new, of course, and perhaps now isn’t a great time for selling a two-door, straight six coupe that starts at more than £70k and can easily climb to more than £80,000, but I’ve definitely passed M cars and Porsches of similar value over that time. There are 20 for sale via MB’s new car shop, and VRD is available through its approved used programme. Where it’s £1,100 a month. And perhaps that’s the main problem, as faced by so many cars at the moment - even when the experience is very lovely indeed, it’s hard to tally with the price being asked. Maybe we’ll become accustomed in time, and the rarity factor shouldn’t be underestimated either. I’d very happily spend much more time in the 53 and not envy many other road users at all; it’s a fine demonstration of what the brand can achieve in 2025. Having said all that, if buyers need a dash more blood and thunder to be truly convinced by an upmarket CLE, Mercedes-AMG certainly knows how to do it. We live in hope.
Car: 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+
Price as tested: £81,445 (comprising MANUFAKTUR Opalite White Bright paint (£925) and Driving Assistance Package Plus (£1,695)
Run by: Nic and Matt
On fleet since: Sept 2024
Mileage: 2,760
1 / 10
