Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet First Drive: Forget ‘Messy Hair, Don’t Care’ In this Luxe Convertible

Messy Hair Don'T Care Isn'T So Much Of A Thing In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Messy hair don't care isn't so much of a thing in the Mercedes-Benz CLECredit: Scotty Reiss

I’m not a fan of convertibles; let’s just put this out there. The seats get hot in the sun. They are not great for cold weather, traffic is loud when the top is down and forget hearing a phone conversation; you’re shouting into an abyss. And then, there’s the rat’s nest hair that is an unavoidable outcome. Or at least I thought so until I drove the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 and 450.

I get why men love convertibles; most don’t have long hair and those who do don’t typically spend a lot of time and money on blowouts, smoothing product and air wrap curlers. All that cost and effort literally goes out with a gust of wind a convertible, which is my biggest objection.

And then, this summer I drove two convertibles that completely changed my mind: the super-expensive but beautiful Bentley Continental GTC and the more affordable but still very luxurious Mercedes-Benz CLE. Mercedes has spent considerable time and effort to address my concerns and succeeded. Here’s what is new, how the CLE overcame my objections and why this this car charmed me completely.

A Longer, Larger and More Comfortable Convertible

A Side View Of The Mercedes-Benz Cle With The Top Down
Credit: Scotty Reiss

A Convertible Solution That Addresses Messy Hair

A Girls Guide To Cars | Mercedes-Benz Cle Cabriolet First Drive: Forget 'Messy Hair, Don'T Care' In This Luxe Convertible - The View From The Drivers Seat In The Mercedes Benz Cle 1
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Did the “Air Cap” Technology Work?

A Girls Guide To Cars | Mercedes-Benz Cle Cabriolet First Drive: Forget 'Messy Hair, Don'T Care' In This Luxe Convertible - The Air Cap Diffuser System On The Mercedes Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

No More Hot Seats

Access To The Rear Seats In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Need to Take a Call? Go Ahead!

Red Leather Upholstery In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Let’s Talk About The Rear Seats

Rear Legroom Is Astonishingly A Thing In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Mercedes’ Top Notch MBUX Multimedia Is Yours For the Asking

The Multimedia System In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

“Hey Mercedes, Change the Ambient Lighting to Blue”

Ambient Lighting And Backlit Controls In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

An Out-of-Sight Out-of-Mind Phone Cubby

The Center Console Has Retractable Cup Holders In The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

The Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet Offers Two Engine Options

A Girls Guide To Cars | Mercedes-Benz Cle Cabriolet First Drive: Forget 'Messy Hair, Don'T Care' In This Luxe Convertible - The 2024 Mercedes Benz Cle 450 1
Credit: Scotty Reiss

What This Car Costs

The Rear End Of The Mercedes-Benz Cle
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers... More about Scotty Reiss

Mentioned In This Article:

Categorized: