New & Used 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE for Sale nearLexington, KY

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE a good car?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE earns a 7.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Technology.

It comes across as a stylish, premium two-door that blends everyday usability with strong road manners. The overview frames it as a rationalized luxury coupe-and-convertible choice: larger and more substantial than a compact luxury coupe, but not as lavish inside as Mercedes’ more upscale alternative. The expert test drive data backs that up with praise for its design, easy-to-use technology, and the AMG 53’s excellent ride-and-handling balance.

The trade-offs are clear: not much cargo space and premium pricing. Some recommended driver-assist features also aren’t standard, so you may need to pay extra to get the equipment many shoppers expect at this price.

With 30.1% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE reliable?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE is presented as a well-engineered, high-end coupe and convertible with a strong emphasis on refinement and capability. The overview and expert notes point to a car that feels substantial, drives with composure, and uses advanced chassis hardware to deliver balanced performance rather than raw, fragile complexity.

The performance write-up also suggests the CLE 53’s powertrain is built for smooth, immediate response, with a turbocharged inline-six, electric assistance, and a nine-speed automatic working together to deliver power cleanly. That kind of setup supports confident day-to-day use, especially when paired with the car’s stable structure and smooth ride.

Mercedes also includes a decent amount of standard equipment, and the available maintenance perk language points to ownership support that can soften early running costs. Even so, this is still a premium performance model with premium pricing, so long-term ownership risk for used buyers is mainly about higher repair and upkeep exposure than basic durability concerns.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and verify that the car’s equipment matches the trim and option package you want. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a premium coupe or convertible, where condition, wear, and feature content can vary a lot from one example to the next. Pay close attention to the interior, wheels, tires, and any signs that the car has been driven hard or stored poorly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The CLE 53 stands out for its wider stance, larger wheels, AMG styling, and more aggressive cabin details, while the standard CLE models are positioned as less expensive alternatives with less power and fewer performance-focused touches.
• Powertrain: The CLE 53 uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 443 horsepower, a 48-volt starter-generator, and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive; it also offers a quicker launch-control setup with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package.
• Safety package: The standard suite includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, a driver-attention monitor, automatic parking, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitors, an exit warning system, and a surround-view camera system. The Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitors, intersection assist, automatic lane-change capability, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist.
• Infotainment: You get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with map updates and live traffic, a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless smartphone charging, and MBUX voice control.
• Fuel efficiency: The CLE 53 coupe is rated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the convertible is rated at 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined.

Which 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE trim should I buy?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE is offered in 4 trim levels: CLE 300 4Matic, CLE 450 4Matic, CLE 53, and CLE 53 Cabriolet.

Here's the short version:

• CLE 300 4Matic: This is the entry point if you want the CLE’s style and tech at the lowest price, and it also delivers the best fuel economy mentioned here. It makes the most sense if you care more about the body style and everyday luxury than outright speed.
• CLE 450 4Matic: This is the middle-ground choice for buyers who want more performance and equipment than the CLE 300 without jumping all the way to AMG pricing. It should be the most balanced pick for many shoppers.
• CLE 53: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of power, handling, and premium feel. It adds the AMG character, the 443-horsepower inline-six, and the chassis hardware that makes the car especially rewarding to drive.
• CLE 53 Cabriolet: Choose this if you want the same AMG performance with open-air driving. It costs more, but it gives you the most complete version of the CLE’s grand-touring personality.

Some recommended driver-assist features are not standard, so check the safety package carefully before you buy.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to compare listings carefully and focus on the right equipment and condition.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 366 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.0% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE safe?

The standard features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, a driver-attention monitor, automatic parking, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitors, an exit warning system, and a surround-view camera system. The convertible also gets pop-up roll bars.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Mercedes’ Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitors, intersection assist, automatic lane-change capability, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. However, true hands-free highway driving capability isn’t available, so you still need to stay engaged even when the car is helping with lane changes.

Should I buy a 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It delivers stylish design, easy-to-use technology, and strong AMG 53 ride-and-handling balance.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It offers multiple trims and strong tech with broad powertrain choice.

The bottom line: The 2026 is the better pick if you want the latest version of the CLE’s style, tech, and AMG polish, especially if you value the 53’s performance balance. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2025 is worth a look because it still brings the CLE’s core appeal and may open up more affordable shopping options.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.