2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53

Coupe · 3.0L I6 Turbo Hybrid · AWD

80/100

AutoVault's overall score, weighted for what a coupe is actually for — performance, technology, comfort, reliability, safety and value.

Specifications

Engine	3.0L I6 Turbo Hybrid
Horsepower	443 hp
Torque	413 lb-ft
0–60 mph	4.1 sec
Top speed	155 mph
Drivetrain	AWD
Seats	4
Combined MPG	30 mpg (27 city / 34 hwy)
Range	485 miles
MSRP	$74,854
Body style	Coupe

The verdict

What's good

Smooth, characterful inline-six
Sleek coupe looks turn heads
Confident all-weather grip
Comfortable for a sporty coupe

What's not

Back seat hard to climb into
Thick rear pillars hurt visibility
Smaller trunk than a sedan
Requires pricier premium fuel

The engine

M256

Turbo I6 Mild-Hybrid

A silken, near-vibration-free straight-six with the elasticity that layout is famous for, layering instant 48-volt torque-fill over a twin-scroll turbo so there is essentially no lag off the line.

Mercedes' modular M256, introduced in 2017 as the spiritual revival of the brand's legendary inline-six and the replacement for the M276 V6, AMG-enhanced for the CLE 53.

An integrated starter-generator sits between engine and gearbox, which let Mercedes delete the belt drive entirely so there is no traditional alternator, starter, or accessory belt.
It runs an electric auxiliary compressor on the 48-volt system that spools boost before the exhaust-driven turbo wakes up, killing turbo lag at low rpm.
The straight-six layout is inherently balanced, so it needs no balance shafts to run smoothly.

See the rest in AutoVault

The six sub-scores behind the 80 — performance, tech, comfort, reliability, safety and value
Market value today and year-by-year value history
All 4 trims with pricing
Studio photography — exterior, rear and interior
Side-by-side comparison with up to four cars

Open in AutoVault