2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe: CLE 300 vs CLE 450 - Which Turbocharged Engine Suits Your Drive?

Choosing between the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 and CLE 450 comes down to one thing: how the engine feels underfoot. Both wear the same two-door coupe body and send power to all four wheels, so the real decision lives under the hood.

For Quebec drivers cross-shopping these two, that difference shapes everything from morning commutes to weekend highway runs.

CLE 300 vs. CLE 450 at a Glance

Engine Character: Smooth Response vs. Assertive Power

The CLE 300’s 2.0L turbocharged inline-four makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft on its own. A 48-volt Integrated Starter-Generator adds up to 23 hp and 151 lb-ft on demand, filling in torque at low speeds so the coupe pulls smoothly off the line and settles into relaxed cruising.

The CLE 450 swaps in a 3.0L turbocharged inline-six, rated at 375 hp and 369 lb-ft before its own 48-volt mild-hybrid system adds the same 23 hp and 151 lb-ft boost. That extra displacement shows up in the numbers: the CLE 450 reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, nearly two seconds quicker than the CLE 300’s 6.2-second run.

On a real highway, that gap becomes passing power in reserve, useful when merging or overtaking. Both cars route power through the same 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, so the character difference sits entirely in how the engine answers the throttle, not in how power reaches the pavement.

Everyday Comfort and Cabin Space

The CLE 300 and CLE 450 share the same two-door, four-seat coupe layout, with 1,024 mm of front headroom and 1,414 mm of front shoulder room in both cars. Cargo capacity holds steady at 420 L in either version, enough for a couple of weekend bags.

Cabin technology carries across the CLE lineup rather than changing by engine choice:

• 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9-inch head-up display
• Leather upholstery

Fuel and Everyday Ownership in Quebec

Both engines run on premium unleaded gasoline and share a 66 L fuel tank, so fill-up routines don’t change between them. The CLE 300 posts 9.9 L/100 km in the city, while the CLE 450’s six-cylinder engine uses more fuel at 10.4 L/100 km, a fair trade for the extra power on tap.

All-wheel drive is standard on both, useful for drivers who want traction on Quebec’s mixed road conditions without stepping up to a heavier body style.

Which Mercedes-Benz CLE Fits Your Drive?

If your coupe spends most of its time on daily commutes and errands around town, the CLE 300’s inline-four and mild-hybrid support give enough response for regular driving without asking for more than you need. It’s the more accessible entry point into the CLE lineup, with the same coupe styling and all-wheel drive as its sibling.

If your driving includes regular highway stretches, spirited back-road runs, or you simply want a stronger reserve of power for passing and merging, the CLE 450’s inline-six brings a more assertive, grand-touring feel. The extra two cylinders and quicker 0-100 km/h time change how the car answers a full throttle, not just how fast it gets there.

Two Engines, One Coupe Lineup

The Mercedes-Benz CLE lineup gives Quebec drivers two distinct ways to experience the same coupe. The inline-four CLE 300 and inline-six CLE 450 share a body, a transmission, and all-wheel drive, but differ in how urgently they respond to the throttle.

Visit Mercedes-Benz Blainville in Mirabel to explore the CLE lineup and learn which engine suits your regular driving. Our team can help you find the CLE that matches how you actually drive.