VERDICT
Appealing GT leaves something on the table
★★★★✩
With its wide body, chassis tech and power, the CLE 53 is clearly positioned above the BMW M440i, Audi S5 and Mercedes’ own C43, but it’s not as fast as an M4 or the upcoming RS5 and CLE 63. For those who think that the performance of top-flight coupés has got out of hand, it would seem an appealing compromise of real-world performance, comfort, usability and value.