How does 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds, an electric range of up to 69 miles and a perky 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine sound? Pretty good, right? Well, the Mercedes CLE 300 e really is a comprehensive executive plug-in hybrid (PHEV), complete with glamorous coupe looks and a PHEV powertrain to keep petrol usage and tax costs to an absolute minimum.  

What about the range and charging?

The average commute in the UK is currently under 21 miles, so the plug-in hybrid Merc CLE’s official electric range of up to 69 miles will cover most people’s daily needs even in mid-winter, when you inevitably get lower real-world range from any electric powertrain. 

After all, the 25.4 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery is a good capacity by plug-in hybrid standards. It’ll also charge at up speeds of up to 11kW, which is good for a full charge in as little as two hours. Most CLE 300 e owners will rely chiefly on a standard, 7kW home charger, which will do the same full battery top-up in around three hours. As you’d expect, the CLE gets the industry-standard Type 2 socket, which is compatible with every home, office and public AC charging station – and the cable is, of course, provided as standard.

When you do need to do the longer drives, the Merc’s 201bhp, 2.0-litre petrol engine and nine-speed automatic gearbox will keep you going in all the slick, executive sportiness that you’d expect. 

How practical is it?

Surprisingly practical, actually. Obviously, the CLE 300 e is the slinky, two-door coupe offering in the Mercedes lineup, but there are still two rear seats for those occasions when you need to carry extra people, and a surprisingly useful boot with folding rear seats.

It’s really all about the driver in the CLE, though. Even the most affordable Merc CLE PHEV gets keyless go, ambient interior lighting, leather upholstery, heated seats with lumbar support, and sliding panoramic sunroof and even a fingerprint scanner to easily access your saved driving position and infotainment settings. Speaking of which, the 11.9-inch touchscreen has all the connectivity and features that you want, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, intelligent nav and wireless phone charging. The AMG Premium Plus also adds a Burmester sound system and head-up display, so definitely worth considering if you do a lot of miles and value a great sound system. 

How much does it cost? 

The CLE 300 e is only available in the higher-spec trims, and starts at just over £60,000. As we mentioned above, the standard kit even on the entry-level Merc C 300 e AMG Line Premium is fairly comprehensive, plus the monthly leasing and PCP finance deals can be very compelling. If you're looking at this as a company car, the long electric range means that it falls into Benefit in Kind band 5 for the tax year 2024/25, increasing to band 9 for 25/26 and band 10 for 26/27.  

Overall, the Mercedes CLE 300 e is an ideal balance of sporty looks, surprisingly useful practicality, lavish tech and comfort, and great efficiency. As plush plug-in hybrids go, it’s the complete package. To arrange a test drive of the CLE 300 e at your local Mercedes dealer click here.