There are few things in this world that bring goosebumps to my skin faster than the stirring sound of six inline cylinders screaming as they hit the redline like waves in the Mediterranean Sea splashing against sandy beaches. When said sound of those six cylinders is resonating off of the astounding beauty of the arid Andalusian mountains, it’s positively enchanting. I’ve already waxed poetic about the Mercedes-Benz CLE450 Cabriolet once before, and now the engineering wizards at AMG have beefed up that big convertible’s already ample power and driving dynamics with the 2025 CLE53.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE replaces both the previous-generation C-Class and E-Class cabriolets, and consolidates them into a single model that would please Goldilocks with its just-right compromise. It provides the smooth and serene driving experience that befits a large two-door vehicle with a three-pointed star proudly displayed on both ends, and the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 swaps one of those three-pointed stars for an Affalterbach crest, beneath which is an AMG-enhanced take on inline-6 goodness. Traditionally, AMG’s 53 models are the penultimate version of a platform, but at least for now, the CLE53 is the highest-performance version of this roomy four-seat cabriolet currently available.
Full Disclosure: The fabulous folks at Mercedes-AMG flew me out to the gorgeous Costa del Sol in Southern Spain to experience both the CLE53 Cabriolet and the AMG GT63 Pro; the story of the latter is going live soon. I was provided with lavish meals, drinks and hotels, when I wasn’t blasting through the life-alteringly beautiful scenery of the Spanish mountains in an AMG convertible, that is.
Catch a glance of the AMG CLE53, and it’s pretty clear that it’s a different animal than the standard CLE. Wheel arches bulge out, menacing grilles gape wider, and quad tail pipes emit a silky snarl from the AMG-enhanced inline-6. Beneath those aggressive looks lies an impressively capable canyon carving convertible with real room for four; not a sentence that can describe many cars on sale today.
With a starting price of $83,795 including a $1,195 destination charge, going topless adds about $10,000 over the CLE53 coupe, and going AMG adds about the same price over the standard CLE450 cabriolet. While it’s not what anyone would call cheap, it almost seems reasonable given the unique fun this powerful machine delivers. As with the Mercedes-Benz CLE, the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 comes with nice standard features including all-wheel drive, the Aircap wind deflector, the Airscarf neck warmer, a Burmester 3D sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, 64-color ambient lighting, power heated front seats with memory, and parking assistance. Things get really interesting once one particular option box gets checked, though.
The AMG Dynamic Plus Package brings the drama to the CLE53. It adds a selection of performance features including AMG’s dramatic Race Start that knocks two tenths off the 0-to-60-mph time, a Race drive mode and a Drift mode, active engine mounts and six-piston front brakes compared to the car’s standard four-piston brakes. All of the cars I drove on my trip were equipped with the Dynamic Plus pack, and though I didn’t experience a standard car, I feel like this package is a must-check option for those planning to regularly wring out their performance cabriolet. Pricing for the cabriolet’s options hasn’t been released yet, but the AMG Dynamic Plus Package adds $2,000 to the price of the CLE53 Coupe, so expect it to be similarly priced.
Powering the CLE53 is an AMG-enhanced turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with an electric supercharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, with a total of 443 horsepower and up to 443 pound-feet of torque with overboost engaged. That’s 68 more hp and up to 74 lb-ft of torque more than the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that powers the Mercedes-Benz CLE450. Oddly, Mercedes claims that the base CLE53 cabriolet actually takes longer to reach 60 mph than the CLE450, at 4.3 seconds versus 4.2 seconds. Choosing the Dynamic Plus option drops the CLE53’s time down to 4.1 seconds, but that’s still a nominal improvement over the standard CLE450 cabriolet.
What AMG made sure to do with the CLE53 is improve its handling characteristics. The front track is 2.3 inches wider and the rear track is 3 inches wider than the standard CLE, and AMG fits it with standard adjustable two-valve dampers and rear-wheel steering that bring a palpable tautness to the CLE. Though it never feels harsh, the CLE53’s ride isl firm, flat, and athletic. Folks who want their cabriolet to make road imperfections disappear should stick with the standard CLE, but those who value the sanctity of canyon carving will prefer the CLE53’s virtual lack of body roll. As a whole, the CLE53 is a more buttoned-down corner carver than the standard car, though its heft is still apparent. It weighs 111 pounds more than the CLE450 cabriolet, for a total curb weight of 4,597 pounds. Despite that, the CLE53 clings to corners noticeably better than the standard car, and it inspires more confidence during spirited driving.
It’s great fun to hustle through winding roads, but it never feels tossable. While the all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering instill tons of confidence in its cornering abilities, the steering isn’t very communicative, which made me apprehensive to push it harder. It’s plenty capable in a very efficient and Germanic way, but it’s not a playful, rowdy laugh like some other AMG cars. Depending on your driving experience, though, this safe demeanor may appeal to you.
AMG’s enhancement of the CLE’s already enchanting turbocharged inline-6 take the engine from subtle and understated to smooth and snarly. Unfortunately, the cars I drove were equipped with the AMG Real Performance Sound option, which allegedly picks up actual engine sound and feeds it into the cabin, totally distracting from the engine’s real sound. I found that the car sounded best in Comfort or Sport mode, but the piped-in pops and crackles in Sport+ and Race modes actually hurt my ears, so it’s best to turn it off. Save some money and don’t check that option box.
Other than the over-amplified sounds, the engine is smooth as hell and the 9-speed automatic does a good job of handling gear changes, but of course you can pop it into manual mode and tug the paddles to shift through the gears for a bit more engagement. I found myself wishing the engine’s redline was higher, though. Its peak is just above 6,000 rpm, and the engine revs so smoothly and freely that it leaves you wanting at least a few hundred more revs to run through. Despite this, the powertrain provides some truly impressive shove, and I say shove because that’s what it does to you — it shoves you back into your seat with a fat wave of torque. It makes you giggle, and it makes the CLE450’s power delivery feel quite tame in comparison.
Driving the CLE53 in Comfort mode on city roads is a refined experience that’s just a tiny bit firmer than the serene comfort of the CLE450. The interior is almost the same as the standard CLE unless you go for the new AMG Performance seats that look like they’d be way too intense for day-to-day use, but are actually incredibly comfortable and widely adjustable. Top-down driving at reasonable speeds is free of wind noise and hairstyle-ruining wind intrusion, and at higher speeds you can deploy the standard windshield-mounted Aircap to minimize cabin wind intrusion. Be warned, though, that deploying the Aircap creates a lot of wind noise, so you have to pick the lesser of two evils between a slightly blustery cabin or a rather noisy one. With the top up the CLE53’s tires seemed to transmit more road noise than the tires on the CLE450 I drove, but other than tire roar at speed, which is common in soft-top convertibles, the interior is a very pleasant place to be. If the tire noise gets annoying, crank up the standard Burmester stereo and enjoy its high-quality (if a bit bassy) sounds.
Competitors for the CLE53 Cabriolet are few, but include the BMW M440i Cabriolet and the Audi S5 Cabriolet. Both of those cars are slower and smaller than the CLE53 on paper, but also cheaper. The Audi S5 is an aged model that’s on its way out (and with no replacement in sight), but the M440i just got a facelift for 2025, and BMW is known to understate the real-world performance of its cars. What may prove more troubling for Mercedes and be more enticing for potential buyers is the BMW M4 Competition convertible. Its starting price is about $10,000 more than the CLE53’s base price, but it offers significantly more performance so it may be a better choice for those seeking the highest performance four-seat convertible.
Still, the CLE53 is a solid choice for sun worshippers who need to carry more than two people and aren’t ready to sacrifice their need for speed. It’s a roomy car that’s capable of thrilling your friends or family with its power and handling capabilities. If you seek the ultimate sporty convertible this side of a Maserati or Bentley, either hold off to see what Mercedes-AMG does with the upcoming CLE63 or go for the BMW M4, but if you’re looking for the goldilocks version of Mercedes’ goldilocks two-door, the CLE53 cabriolet might be the right car for you. If you can fork over the cash, that is.
