Mercedes-Benz CLE

Honestly, the price is steep for what you get. The CLE 200 feels underpowered and the rear seat is barely usable. The touch controls are frustrating and the glossy trims scratch easily. However, the design and the badge do make you feel special. I'd recommend the CLE 450 if you can afford it – that engine transforms the car.

The CLE is a grand tourer, not a sports car – and it excels at that. The ride is composed at high speeds, the cabin is whisper-quiet, and the seats are plush. The 9-speed transmission is always in the right gear. I wish the steering had more feedback; it's a bit numb. The rear-axle steering is a must-have option.

First luxury coupe and I'm smitten. The Burmester 3D sound with headrest speakers is a revelation – you feel the music. The 48V system allows coasting which saves fuel; I get around 12 km/l on highways from the 2.0L.

This is my dream grand tourer. The wide rear track and frameless doors give it a proper sports car stance. The MBUX Routines automatically turn on the heated seats when the temperature drops below 15°C – clever. I drive from Hyderabad to the coast on weekends and the highway stability is impeccable.

The CLE 300 4MATIC with 258 PS is decent but feels heavy – the curb weight of ~1,800 kg dulls the response. I wish I'd stretched for the 450. The interior has some hard plastics that remind me of a C-Class, not an E-Class. The rear seat access is awkward; my elderly mother struggled to get in.

Front cabin space is generous – I'm 6'1" and the seats are wide and supportive. The 11.9-inch screen tilts to avoid glare, a thoughtful touch. The rear-axle steering makes U-turns in Bangalore traffic surprisingly easy for a 4.85m car. The firm ride on 20-inch wheels is a bit harsh over potholes though.

nyce car, gr8 looks and the screen tilt function is cool. The 2.0L in CLE 200 is ok but not as exciting as the 6-cylinder. The back seats are for kids only, my 6ft friend coudn't sit. Still love the ambient lights and the burmester sound.

Cabriolet with AIRCAP and AIRSCARF – I drove top-down in December in Pune and was perfectly warm. The wind deflector works amazingly; no buffeting even at 80 kmph. The acoustic soft-top is so well insulated that it feels like a coupe when closed. Only gripe is the boot space drops to 295L with the roof down – barely fits a weekend bag.

The inline-6 is a masterpiece – 381 PS and 500 Nm, and the 48V mild hybrid eliminates turbo lag completely. Driving from Delhi to Jaipur was a breeze; the 9-speed box is invisible. Ground clearance is a concern though – I scraped the front lip on a steep ramp at a mall. The rear seats are tiny but I didn't buy this for passengers.

The CLE is the most beautiful coupe Mercedes has made in years. That long bonnet and fastback roofline turn heads everywhere in Mumbai. The 3.0L inline-6 in the CLE 450 is silky smooth – effortless highway cruising at 120 kmph with the Burmester headrest speakers filling the cabin. I've owned this for 4 months and it's pure art.