2026 Mercedes CLE Extreme First Drive Review

I’ll say the quiet part out loud: a new V8 luxury coupe in 2026 feels like spotting a dodo at Whole Foods. Yet here I am, keys in hand, having just driven the Mercedes CLE Extreme, a machine that thunders, smells faintly of unburnt ambition, and laughs at corporate sustainability decks. If this really is the last big-boned Merc coupe before electrification eats everything, it matters right now because nostalgia never felt this fast.

The Mercedes CLE Extreme isn’t subtle, and thank goodness for that. While BMW’s M4 has gone all bucktooth-angry and Audi’s RS5 clings to polite turbo-sixness, Mercedes has leaned into Mythos—capital M—by stuffing a V8 into a sleek two-door and daring the accountants to stop them. I’ve driven dozens of luxury coupes, and this one doesn’t whisper about heritage; it shouts through quad exhausts.

Call it indulgent, call it irresponsible, but the Mercedes CLE Extreme exists because some engineers still care more about torque curves than press releases. And if you’re the sort of person who thinks a coupe should feel special every time you open the garage, this thing demands your attention before the V8 becomes a museum exhibit.

Design & First Impressions: Mythos With Muscles

One lap around the car and you realize this isn’t just a CLE with anger issues. The Mythos body kit adds wider haunches, a longer hood, and a grille that looks like it could inhale small woodland creatures. It’s less subtle than a Lexus LC500, more elegant than a BMW M4, and miles sexier than the Audi RS5’s corporate blazer look.

Mercedes designers talk about “athletic tension,” which is marketing fluff, but the stance actually backs it up. At 74 inches wide and riding on 20-inch forged wheels, the CLE Extreme sits low and purposeful, like a sprinter waiting for the gun. Hot take: this is the best-looking Mercedes coupe since the SLS, and yes, I’m including the AMG GT.

Interior & Tech: Old Money, New Screens

Inside, the CLE Extreme finally answers the question of whether Mercedes can do tech without turning the cabin into an iPad store. The 12.3-inch driver display and 11.9-inch center screen are crisp, but crucially, the important stuff—drive modes, exhaust valves, suspension—gets real buttons. Somewhere, an Audi UX designer is quietly taking notes, which aligns nicely with why Audi is rethinking screen overload.

The leather smells expensive because it is, stitched over ventilated AMG Performance seats that hug without crushing. Rear seats exist in the same way Pluto exists as a planet—technically, but don’t plan a road trip back there. Compared to a Porsche 911’s token rear bench or the LC500’s padded shelf, this is par for the course.

Driving Experience: The V8 Myth Made Real

Press start and the 4.0-liter V8 wakes up with a bark that makes nearby EVs feel emotionally hollow. Throttle response is immediate, not lazier than a cat in a sunbeam like some turbo setups, thanks to that mild-hybrid fill. On a dry road, the CLE Extreme hits 60 mph in about 3.4 seconds, which is properly fast without being Tesla Plaid silly.

The steering deserves praise because Mercedes has finally remembered feel exists. It’s not Porsche 911 chatty, but compared to the numb M4, it actually tells you what the front tires are doing. Through a series of fast sweepers, the car shrinks around you, and the adaptive dampers manage to be firm without rattling your fillings.

Here’s the controversial bit: I prefer this to the current AMG GT on real roads. The CLE Extreme feels less manic, more usable, and frankly more fun when you’re not chasing lap times. It reminds me why internal combustion still has a soul, something I also felt recently driving the glorious madness of the Singer DLS Turbo, albeit at a very different price point.

Fuel Economy & Running Costs: Reality Check

No one buys a V8 coupe expecting Prius numbers, but the CLE Extreme isn’t outrageously thirsty. Expect around 16 mpg in the city and up to 24 mpg on the highway if you behave, figures you can sanity-check via FuelEconomy.gov. That’s roughly on par with an M4 Competition and slightly better than a Lexus LC500.

Maintenance will not be cheap, because physics and Mercedes dealerships exist. Tires are 305-section rears, brakes are massive, and insurance companies will absolutely judge you. Still, compared to running a full-fat AMG GT or a 911 Turbo, this feels almost reasonable.

Practicality: Coupe Compromises

Boot space clocks in at roughly 13 cubic feet, enough for a weekend away and a sense of optimism. The rear seats fold, which is more than you can say for some exotics, and daily usability is surprisingly good. Visibility is decent, the ride in Comfort mode is genuinely comfortable, and you won’t hate it in traffic.

That said, if you need four adults and luggage, buy an E-Class or a BMW M3 and stop pretending. This is a luxury coupe, not a life solution, and anyone expecting otherwise has misunderstood the assignment.

Value vs Competitors: Does It Earn Its Badge?

At around $98,000 to start, the Mercedes CLE Extreme undercuts a Porsche 911 Carrera S and sits right on top of a loaded BMW M4 Competition. The Audi RS5 feels dated by comparison, and while the Lexus LC500 oozes charm, it lacks the CLE’s outright punch. For the money, you’re getting V8 drama, real luxury, and a design that won’t age like a bad tattoo.

Another spicy take: this is better value than most six-figure EVs pretending to be exciting. Yes, I’ve driven electric monsters with insane acceleration, but none of them make my spine tingle like a V8 at full song. If you’re curious about the other side of that argument, our deep dive into BMW’s electric M3 experiment is worth a read.

Ownership, Safety & Reality

Mercedes loads the CLE Extreme with driver aids, from adaptive cruise to lane-keeping that doesn’t feel like a nervous nanny. Official safety ratings can be checked at NHTSA.gov, though coupe buyers usually prioritize smiles per gallon over stars. Warranty coverage is the standard 4-year/50,000-mile setup, nothing revolutionary, nothing stingy.

Resale is the wild card. If this truly is one of the last V8 Merc coupes, values could hold surprisingly well. Stranger things have happened, especially when nostalgia meets scarcity.

Verdict: The Case for the Mercedes CLE Extreme

The Mercedes CLE Extreme is a love letter to excess written in premium leather and tire smoke. It’s not perfect, not cheap, and not pretending to save the planet, but it delivers something increasingly rare: genuine emotional engagement. In a world rushing toward silence, this car sings loudly and proudly.

If this is the end of the V8 luxury coupe, Mercedes has gone out with a proper mic drop. I’d buy one now, enjoy every mile, and never apologize for it.

For more details and updates, visit the official Mercedes-Benz website and configure responsibly—or not.