2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Cabriolet
A modern Mercedes convertible that prioritizes refinement, comfort, and everyday usability
I had the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet for my usual one-week press loan, and I approached it the same way I approach most cars that land in my driveway. I used it like a normal person would. Daily commuting from the suburbs into downtown Vancouver. City traffic. Highway cruising. Evening drives when the air cools just enough to make a convertible feel like the right choice.
The timing mattered. This was late August, when Vancouver is still very much in summer mode. Warm days. Comfortable evenings. The kind of weather where a convertible makes sense not just as a novelty, but as a genuinely enjoyable way to get around. And over that week, the CLE 300 Cabriolet made a very strong case for itself as a calm, well-executed grand touring car that fits modern life better than most open-top vehicles still on sale.
What the CLE Cabriolet is meant to be
The CLE exists because Mercedes no longer wants to split its two-door lineup between C-Class and E-Class variants. In convertible form, that consolidation feels especially logical. The CLE Cabriolet effectively steps into the space once occupied by the E-Class Cabriolet, offering four real seats, a comfortable ride, and a sense of occasion without turning into an oversized luxury yacht.
What surprised me is how natural that transition feels. The CLE does not come across as a compromise or an in-between car. It feels like a properly thought-out product that understands why people buy four-seat convertibles in the first place. This is not a weekend toy meant to be babied. It is a car you can actually live with.
Styling and presence
I really like how the CLE Cabriolet looks. The design sits squarely within Mercedes-Benz’s current styling language, and that works in its favour. It looks cohesive, modern, and unmistakably Mercedes without trying to chase trends or exaggerate its proportions.
With the soft top up, the car has a clean, coupe-like profile that looks premium and well balanced. With the roof down, it gains a relaxed elegance that feels appropriate for a luxury convertible. It does not scream for attention, but it does not disappear either. There is a confidence to the design that suggests Mercedes knows exactly what this car is supposed to be.
In a market where four-seat convertibles are becoming increasingly rare, the CLE stands out simply by existing. And visually, it carries itself like a proper successor to Mercedes’ long line of elegant open-top cars.
Powertrain and performance character
The CLE 300 Cabriolet uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a mild hybrid system and a nine-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels through Mercedes’ 4MATIC system.
On paper, the numbers are respectable. In real driving, what matters more is how the power is delivered. This is not a car that feels tuned for theatrics. Instead, it prioritizes smoothness, refinement, and effortlessness.
From behind the wheel, the CLE 300 feels torquey enough at low RPMs that it never comes across as strained or underpowered. You do not need to dig deep into the rev range to make progress. There is enough pull on demand for passing, merging, or climbing hills without any drama. The mild hybrid system does a good job of smoothing out transitions, and there is no noticeable turbo lag in everyday driving.
It is very clearly biased toward comfort rather than excitement, but that does not mean it feels slow. It simply feels composed. This is the kind of powertrain that fades into the background when you are cruising, which is exactly what you want in a car like this.
If you are looking for fireworks, Mercedes offers more powerful options. The CLE 300 is for drivers who want a refined, relaxed experience that still feels premium and capable.
Driving dynamics and ride quality
As a whole, the CLE Cabriolet drives like a proper grand tourer. The suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections without feeling floaty, and the car remains settled and confident at highway speeds. Around town, it is easy to maneuver and does not feel cumbersome, even in tighter urban environments.
Steering response is predictable and appropriately weighted. It is not overly communicative, but it does not need to be. The car responds cleanly to inputs and maintains a sense of stability that inspires confidence rather than encouraging aggressive driving.
This is a car that feels happiest when covering distance at a relaxed pace, with the roof down, the stereo on, and the outside world flowing by. It is not trying to convince you it is a sports car, and I appreciate that honesty.
4MATIC in everyday conditions
During my time with the CLE Cabriolet, I did not encounter heavy rain or challenging weather. In dry summer conditions, the 4MATIC system was completely transparent. It never announced its presence or interfered with the driving experience.
Based on extensive experience with other Mercedes vehicles equipped with 4MATIC, that transparency is exactly the point. The system is there to provide reassurance when conditions deteriorate, not to draw attention to itself when they do not. In everyday use, it simply allows you to drive with confidence year-round, assuming you are running appropriate tires.
Interior design and technology
Inside, the CLE Cabriolet feels modern and well executed. The design language mirrors other recent Mercedes products, with a clean layout, high-quality materials, and a strong emphasis on digital interfaces.
The MBUX infotainment system remains one of the more intuitive setups in the luxury space. The large portrait-oriented screen is responsive and easy to navigate, especially if you are already familiar with Mercedes’ approach. The graphics feel polished and appropriate for the price point, and nothing about the interface feels dated or clumsy.
The surround-view camera system is sharp and genuinely useful, particularly in urban parking situations. The Burmester audio system in the press car delivered clear, rich sound that suited both quiet cruising and longer highway drives.
What stood out most is that none of the technology felt intrusive. Everything worked as expected, and nothing demanded unnecessary attention. That is an underrated quality in modern luxury cars.
Convertible comfort and summer usability
This is where the CLE Cabriolet really earns its place. With the roof down in warm August weather, the car feels open and airy without becoming uncomfortable. Wind management systems do an effective job of reducing buffeting at speed, making highway driving with the top down perfectly viable.
The soft top itself feels substantial and well insulated. With the roof up, the cabin remains impressively quiet, to the point where it almost feels like a coupe during steady cruising. Road and wind noise are kept in check, and the overall experience remains refined.
One area where I found myself wishing for more flexibility was the Airscarf system. It does its job well by blowing warm air around the neck and shoulders, but in summer conditions, it would be ideal if the system could also provide cool air. On warmer days, especially in late August, cooling the neck area rather than heating it would make top-down driving even more comfortable. It is a small critique, but one that feels worth mentioning given how thoughtfully everything else is executed.
Rear seats and real-world practicality
One of the biggest advantages of the CLE Cabriolet is that it remains a genuinely usable four-seat car. The rear seats are not an afterthought. They are comfortable enough for adults on shorter trips and perfectly suitable for everyday errands or carrying additional passengers when needed.
Cargo space is respectable for a convertible, and the trunk remains usable even with the roof stowed. This is a car you can pack for a weekend away without feeling like you are making sacrifices.
That practicality reinforces the CLE’s identity as a real daily driver, not just a lifestyle accessory.
Living with the CLE Cabriolet
Over the course of the week, the CLE Cabriolet never felt tiring or demanding. It was easy to live with, easy to drive, and consistently comfortable. It handled commuting duties just as well as it handled relaxed evening drives with the roof down.
There is a sense of polish here that comes from Mercedes doing what it has always done well. Building cars that feel thoughtfully engineered, well assembled, and focused on long-term comfort rather than short-term excitement.
Final thoughts
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet is not trying to reinvent the convertible. Instead, it refines the idea and adapts it to modern expectations. It offers elegant styling, smooth and confident performance, and the kind of everyday usability that makes a four-seat convertible worth owning.
It will not thrill you like the CLE53 performance AMG model probably would, and it does not pretend to. What it delivers is a calm, refined, genuinely premium open-air experience that works in real life. For drivers who value comfort, quality, and subtle elegance over outright performance, the CLE Cabriolet makes a strong and convincing case for itself.
In a market where convertibles are becoming increasingly rare, Mercedes has built one that feels purposeful, relevant, and very much in character with the brand’s heritage. And after a week of living with it in the heart of summer, that feels like a quiet success.
