Introduction:
Convertibles with a backseat are a rare find in the automotive world, and even rarer are those that can serve as daily drivers, especially when children are involved. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 Cabriolet is a luxurious option that combines style, practicality, and performance. Featuring a large back seat and a surprisingly spacious trunk, this convertible aims to challenge the notion that convertibles are not the best choice for everyday use. In a review by senior editors James Riswick and John Beltz Snyder, they share their experiences with the CLE Cabriolet as daily drivers, offering insights on its comfort, convenience, and overall appeal.
_Subtitle 1: Leather Cooling Technology_
The Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 Cabriolet comes equipped with sun-reflective leather, which helps reduce the temperature of the seats by 50 degrees. This feature is particularly useful for convertible owners in sunny climates, ensuring that the interior remains comfortable even with the top down.
_Subtitle 2: AirCap System Performance_
The AirCap system, a signature feature of Mercedes-Benz convertibles, consists of a wind deflector at the windshield header and a pop-up wind deflector behind the back seat. While effective at reducing wind noise and air movement in the cabin, it can be a bit noisy at lower speeds. The system is more beneficial for rear occupants, especially those with long hair.
_Subtitle 3: Spacious Back Seat and Child Seat Compatibility_
One of the standout features of the CLE Cabriolet is its genuinely large back seat, which is spacious enough to accommodate a giant child seat like the Britax Boulevard. Installing a car seat is relatively easy once you learn the trick, making it convenient for parents with young children. The convertible design also allows for easy access to the back seat, making loading and unloading children a breeze.
_Subtitle 4: Interior Ambient Lighting and Driving Experience_
The CLE Cabriolet boasts a 64-color ambient lighting system that adds a touch of luxury to the interior. Its voice-activated controls make it easy to customize the lighting to suit your preferences. On the road, the CLE delivers a smooth and refined driving experience, thanks to its turbocharged, mild-hybrid powertrain. The inline-six engine provides ample acceleration and seamless gear shifts, making it a joy to drive.
_Subtitle 5: Cargo Space and Family-Friendly Features_
Despite being a convertible, the CLE Cabriolet offers a decent amount of cargo space, especially with the top down. The trunk separator helps organize items in the trunk, allowing for practical storage solutions. Families find the CLE Cabriolet to be a popular choice for outings, with its comfortable interior and stylish design appealing to both adults and children.
Conclusion:
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 Cabriolet proves to be a versatile and family-friendly convertible that challenges the perception of convertibles as impractical vehicles. With its spacious back seat, luxurious features, and impressive performance, the CLE Cabriolet offers a unique driving experience that caters to the needs of modern families. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as heavy doors and challenging ingress/egress for rear passengers, the overall appeal of the CLE Cabriolet as a daily driver is undeniable. As a stylish and practical option in the convertible segment, the CLE Cabriolet stands out as a worthy contender for those looking to save both the manuals and the convertibles.