2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Review. Is this CLE 53 like a stronger, more aggressive C-Class, or a lighter, leaner E-Class.

Rohit Paradkar Updated: November 07, 2025, 02:19 PM IST

There are cars that look good in the studio. Then there are cars that look even better in the rain, standing defiantly under grey skies, their curves highlighted by droplets as if nature itself is tracing their form. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe is one of those rare machines. Finished in Sun Yellow, it stood out like a shot of sunshine during an overcast Pune monsoon. It reminded me of the first time I saw the C 43 Coupe, parked at this very spot in a vivid shade of red, when I thought to myself, "Mercedes truly knows how to shape a coupe."

But this one is more than just good-looking. The CLE 53 is not here to sit alongside the C-Class and E-Class Coupes - it is here because Mercedes-Benz has discontinued them both. This is the replacement: a single, consolidated model designed to serve coupe buyers who once had to choose between C and E badges. Naturally, the question arises: Is it actually better than the cars it replaces? Let us find out.

The short answer is yes. For the long answer: if the C43 felt like a dedicated sprinter, built for speed, and the E53 like an all-round athlete who balances business formality with athletic ability, then the CLE 53 is like an enthusiast who has rebuilt their physique and found career success - stronger, sharper, and able to enjoy the rewards. The CLE 53 moves more nimbly than the E53, is quicker than the C43, offers more space than the C, remains more compact than the E, and delivers a greater presence than either. Thanks to a well-designed exhaust system that adapts from quiet refinement to a throaty roar, it only makes a statement when prompted, never before.

Where the old Coupes felt somewhat like "AMG lite" in many respects, the CLE 53 has developed its own identity. The power figure - 449PS - is identical to the E53 on paper, but the way it delivers that power, the way it corners, and the way it handles itself through bends and city streets is refreshingly different. This is an AMG that does not lean excessively into aggression, yet never lets you forget what it is capable of.

?1.4 Crore: Painful or Justified?

With performance discussed, cost becomes the next concern for potential owners. The CLE 53 is positioned among strong contenders like the Porsche 911 or high-end EVs with immense torque. So what is Mercedes truly offering here?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. If you want a two-door car with rear seats suitable for adults, the excitement and power of AMG, a practical boot, all wrapped up in a stylish, low-slung design, your options are more limited than you might think. The GLC 43 Coupe offers greater practicality but is styled more like a sports car and sounds subdued, like an everyday appliance. The Audi RS5 Sportback ventures into territory with more doors. The BMW M4 brings more power but also costs more and features a grille that divides opinion. The Lexus LC500h is visually impressive, but its hybrid powertrain feels slow to respond, and it is no longer available.

So no, the CLE 53 isn't cheap. But it doesn't feel cynical either. It feels special. And in this segment, that matters more than a spec sheet shootout.

Subtle as a Flying Brick In the Best Possible Way

Let us talk design. Mercedes did not simply deliver a generic coupe and hope the AMG badge would do the heavy lifting. The CLE 53 has all the right ingredients: long bonnet, short overhangs, tight roofline, frameless doors, and a rear diffuser and spoiler arrangement that shouts performance without appearing aftermarket.

But look closer, and the real drama is in the stance. The front track has been widened by 58mm, and the rear by a substantial 75mm. That gives the CLE the sort of road presence you would usually associate with true muscle cars. The flared arches are not just for show - they transform the silhouette. Even stationary, the car looks like it is flexing.

What's impressive is its duality. Park it outside a Maybach-heavy hotel, and it fits in just fine. Take it to a track day, and it doesn't look like it wandered in by mistake. That kind of design versatility is rare.

Cockpit Theatre with Everyday Manners

The cabin is pure AMG theatre. The red and black upholstery, the metallic trim, and the carbon fibre and microfibre steering wheel all play their part in ramping up the drama. Screens are everywhere, of course, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a portrait-style 11.9-inch infotainment screen angled towards the driver, and a head-up display that feels like it belongs in a fighter jet.

It all feels very premium, very Mercedes, and very "I-paid-a-crore-for-this." But what surprised me most was how usable it is.

The rear seats are no longer decorative. An average-sized adult can handle a MumbaiLonavala run with only mild complaints. The boot, too, is surprisingly practical. No, you won't fit your new coffee table, but weekend bags, golf clubs, or a week's worth of shopping? Easily swallowed. This isn't a coupe you'll need to apologise for every time practicality is mentioned.

Six Cylinders, One Personality Split Down the Middle

Under that long, sloping bonnet sits the M256M, a 3.0-litre inline-six producing 449PS and 560Nm, assisted by a 48V mild-hybrid system and an electric booster compressor. But forget the numbers for a moment - what really matters is how it feels.

The electric compressor helps eliminate turbo lag, while the mild-hybrid system smooths out low-speed response. It does not have the big V8 snarl of older AMGs, but in Sport or Sport Plus, the sound is surprisingly authentic - throaty, unapologetic, and most importantly, real.

The nine-speed AMG Speedshift gearbox responds beautifully. It is sharp when you are hunting gaps in traffic or accelerating down a back road, and completely docile when you are simply trying to get home without upsetting your chiropractor.

With 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, it is quick enough to remind you that this is not a mid-tier AMG. But what stands out is how usable that speed is. The powerband is elastic. You do not need to floor the throttle to make progress - just lean in gently, and the car responds as if it is reading your mind.

Big, But Surprisingly Nimble

The AMG Ride Control suspension works wonders on Indian roads. In Comfort mode, it absorbs potholes and broken surfaces with the composure of a luxury saloon. Switch to Sport Plus and the body control firms up without becoming harsh.

The real party piece is the rear-axle steering. Below 100km/h, the rear wheels turn opposite to the fronts for increased agility. Above that speed, they steer in the same direction for added stability. The result is remarkable - this nearly five-metre-long coupe feels shorter in traffic and longer on the highway. A not-so-rare trick anymore, but pulled off with AMG precision. The brakes are strong and easy to modulate. Steering feel is refined but quick and confidence-inspiring.

Technology Without the Overwhelm

You will not find a feature missing here. The India-spec CLE 53 comes fully equipped: Burmester 3D surround sound with Dolby Atmos, augmented reality navigation, 360-degree cameras, blind spot assist, active brake assist, PRE-SAFE, ventilated front seats, and even a fingerprint sensor to personalise the experience.

This cabin will satisfy even the most devoted technology enthusiast with its comprehensive suite of features.

Verdict

The CLE 53 does not make sense in the way the old C63 did. It is not tail-happy all the time. It does not bark at every corner. It does not feel like it needs to prove anything. And that is exactly why it works.

If you want a grand tourer that can still go sideways on a roundabout, this is it. If you want AMG drama without sacrificing comfort, this is it. If you want a two-door that is almost justifiable to your family, you will need a convincing pitch - but this is the strongest candidate in years.

It is not just better than the cars it replaces. It is more evolved, more rounded, and more convincing.

This is not the loudest AMG. It is not the most powerful. But it might just be the one that makes the most sense.

Porsche 911 2019 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 1.38 Crore

Displacement
2998cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
350

Max Torque(Nm)
530

Mileage
-NA-