The interior of the CLE 300e is reminiscent of the C-Class, with its ‘squircle’-style air vents and rounded transmission tunnel console. The cabin layout, specification, and finish are all derived from the C-Class, which may disappoint those transitioning from an E-Class Coupe. However, the perceived quality of the materials used in the CLE is high, with a sense of gloss and luxury evident in the trims and materials chosen.
Our Premium Plus test car featured an attractive combination of ‘aluminium lines’ dashboard decor and Tonka Brown upholstery, elevating the overall ambience of the cabin. The driving position is comfortable, with plenty of adjustability in the front seats and clear, configurable digital instruments. The steering wheel controls for the multimedia system are convenient, offering an alternative to constantly touching the central screen.
Second-row space in the CLE 300e is typical for a mid-sized coupe, with enough room for smaller adults and children but less accommodating for taller passengers. The underfloor battery affects the boot volume, reducing it from 420 to 290 litres. While the boot floor is flat and the rear seats fold down for through-loading, the loading height may make carrying bulkier items challenging.
The CLE 300e comes with an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented main infotainment screen as standard, offering full wireless smartphone integration and 360-degree parking cameras. Upgrading to the Premium Plus trim adds a color head-up display, Burmester surround-sound premium audio, and augmented reality directions for the navigation system. The MBUX multimedia system is user-friendly, with a physical cursor controller on the steering wheel and convenient shortcut icons for essential functions.
The Burmester 3D surround-sound premium audio system in our test car was capable but didn’t particularly impress our testers. Overall, the CLE 300e offers a luxurious interior with high-quality materials and advanced technology features, making it a comfortable and enjoyable ride for most passengers.
