NEW MERCEDES CLE 300 CABRIO

After driving the new CLE coupe in two guises this year, it was inevitable that the convertible version would drop by before too long. A four-cylinder turbo CLE 300 version arrived mid-December for the 10 days until Christmas, giving the car plenty of time to get under our skin and giving us plenty of driving in proper summer air. We certainly came to appreciate the car most when its roof was off.

The lengthy loan was doubly useful because modern Mercs have stupendous equipment lists and there was a lot to enjoy here. Some features are cabrio-specific like the standard Airscarf (vents in front headrests that circulate warm air around your neck) and Aircap system (a wind deflector that emerges above the windscreen and successfully redirects airflow over the spacious cabin). There’s also a small wind deflector at the rear to further settle the airflow.

A strip of three buttons for the folding roof and Aircap are nicely integrated on the centre console and could not be better presented. Roof operation is quick and quiet and the large canvas hood stows ever-so-neatly in the boot space, preserving the CLE’s good looks whether the roof is up or down. Heated leather seats with massage function up front ensure the luxury convertible brief is fulfilled and yes, you can seat a couple of passengers in the back providing the driver is not too tall.

As we found with the CLE coupe, the cabrio looks and feels closer in size to the E-Class than the smaller C-Class (backed up by overall length of 4850mm) and while it disguises its weight well, it drives with the assurance of the bigger saloon and is a very good cruiser. Road noise is more intrusive in the cabrio, especially with the big wheels and broad tyres fitted, but you won’t notice that when you drop the top. If you want to exploit the performance, the 300 feels quite eager in Sport mode and keeps everything firmly in check when some rivals might flex, creak and scrabble for grip. In the wet, you get the added confidence of 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.

A zero to 100km/h blast in 6.6 seconds is commendable and comes courtesy of the M254 two-litre turbo and nine-speed auto. It’s the same powertrain as that in the reigning NZ Car of the Year, the Mercedes E300 saloon. Peak outputs of 190kW and 400Nm are adequate and a 48V hybrid system delivers a helping hand while also enhancing overall refinement. Some enthusiasts will long for a motor with a bigger cylinder count, and there were times when we wished for a big six or even an eight, influenced by memories of some of our best Merc touring here and abroad. That aside, if you’re after a sizeable luxury convertible with strong presence and composed driving attributes, this CLE might make the 2026 wishlist.