Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 or CLE 450: which CLE fits Austin drivers?
The CLE 300 fits most Austin drivers: it covers I-35, Mopac and US-183 commuting at the lower starting price and the better fuel economy. The CLE 450 fits the driver who wants the stronger engine for Hill Country roads and highway passing, and Mercedes-Benz of South Austin sells the CLE.
Both trims share the same coupe body, so the choice comes down to how you drive and what you want to spend.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Austin. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 fits daily Austin driving; the CLE 450 fits power drivers
The CLE 300 fits the Austin driver who commutes on I-35, Mopac and US-183 and wants the lower starting price and the better fuel economy of the two. The CLE 450 fits the driver who wants more power for Hill Country drives and highway passing. Mercedes-Benz’s published 2026 specifications put the CLE 300 4MATIC® Coupe at 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The CLE 450 4MATIC® Coupe makes 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft.
Most Austin commutes never call on the extra horsepower. The CLE 300 handles the daily drive, and the CLE 450 is the trim you pick when the drive itself is the reason for the car.
What does an I-35 and Mopac commute need from a CLE?
The CLE 450 adds power a commute rarely uses, at a higher price and a lower EPA combined figure. Average travel time to work is 25.5 minutes for Cedar Park city workers, plus or minus 1.0 minute, against 23.7 minutes for Austin city workers (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024).
The EPA rates the CLE 300 4MATIC® Coupe at 27 mpg combined and the CLE 450 4MATIC® Coupe at 26 mpg combined. A driver who spends most of the week on I-35 and Mopac gets the better number from the CLE 300.
Does the CLE 450 feel stronger on Hill Country roads near Dripping Springs?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz rates the CLE 450 4MATIC® Coupe at 4.2 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, against 6.2 seconds for the CLE 300 4MATIC® Coupe (Mercedes-Benz USA, 2026). Both are manufacturer specifications.
That gap shows up where Hill Country roads ask for it: a climb with a truck ahead, a two-lane stretch where you want to pass, or a merge onto a faster road. The CLE 450 also makes 369 lb-ft of torque against 295 lb-ft in the CLE 300, which is the number that matters on a grade. If those roads are part of your weekend, the CLE 450 gives you the margin.
Both CLEs run on premium fuel, and the CLE 300 uses less of it
Both trims list premium gasoline. EPA ratings put the CLE 300 coupe at 27 mpg combined against 26 for the CLE 450 coupe (fueleconomy.gov, 2026). The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $2,850 for the CLE 300 coupe and $3,000 for the CLE 450 coupe.
Premium is not cheap in Austin. AAA’s average premium price for the Austin and San Marcos metro was $4.49 a gallon (AAA, 2026). The statewide Texas weekly average was $4.638 a gallon (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2026). Every tank costs more than a regular-fuel car, so the mpg gap matters on each fill-up.
How much more does the CLE 450 cost than the CLE 300?
Mercedes-Benz lists the CLE 450 4MATIC® Coupe at a starting MSRP of $70,500, and the CLE 300 4MATIC® Coupe at $60,900. The Cabriolet versions start at $78,900 for the CLE 450 and $69,400 for the CLE 300.
Texas adds sales tax on top of the price. Motor vehicle sales tax is 6.25% of the sales price, minus any trade-in allowance (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2026). A bigger sticker means a bigger tax bill, so run the numbers on the full price before you choose the trim.
What the CLE 300 and CLE 450 list for price, power, mpg and trunk space
The CLE 300 coupe lists the lower price, 255 horsepower and 27 mpg combined. The CLE 450 coupe lists $70,500, 375 horsepower and 26 mpg combined. The table sets out all four versions.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Horsepower and torque | EPA combined mpg |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLE 300 4MATIC® Coupe | $60,900 | 255 hp, 295 lb-ft | 27 |
| CLE 300 4MATIC® Cabriolet | $69,400 | 255 hp, 295 lb-ft | 26 |
| CLE 450 4MATIC® Coupe | $70,500 | 375 hp, 369 lb-ft | 26 |
| CLE 450 4MATIC® Cabriolet | $78,900 | 375 hp, 369 lb-ft | 26 |
For trunk space, the CLE 300 coupe lists 11.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo room. That is enough for a weekend of luggage or a week of groceries, and it leaves the rear seats usable for passengers.
Who should skip the CLE 450, and who should skip the CLE 300?
Skip the CLE 450 if most of your driving is a commute on I-35 or Mopac and the starting price matters to your budget. The CLE 300 gives you the Mercedes-Benz coupe, the all-wheel drive and the better fuel economy for that drive.
Skip the CLE 300 if you regularly pass on two-lane Hill Country roads and want the 375 horsepower and 4.2-second 0 to 60 time. The extra power is the reason to pay the higher price.
FAQ
Do the CLE 300 and CLE 450 both come with 4MATIC® all-wheel drive?
Yes. The CLE 300 4MATIC® and CLE 450 4MATIC® coupes are both all-wheel drive, as the EPA lists them. Both use a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Does Mercedes-Benz of South Austin sell the CLE Cabriolet as well as the coupe?
Yes. The CLE Cabriolet is one of the new Mercedes-Benz models we sell, and the CLE line is part of our lineup. Bring the trim you want to compare when you visit.
What warranty covers a new CLE 300 or CLE 450?
The basic warranty on the CLE line is 4 years or 50,000 miles, as Mercedes-Benz publishes it for the whole nameplate. Because it applies to the nameplate, the CLE 300 and CLE 450 share the same basic coverage.
Why Mercedes-Benz of South Austin is the place to start for a CLE on the south side of I-35
We are Mercedes-Benz of South Austin, at 10900 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78748, on the south I-35 frontage road. We serve drivers on the south side of I-35, from Buda and Kyle to Dripping Springs. We sell new Mercedes-Benz models, including the CLE, and we offer financing specials and leasing specials. You can start a secure finance application online.
Our Google record, as of October 2026, is 4.6 stars across 830 reviews, and 89 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026). In an August 2026 Google review, Melissa N. wrote: “Definitely recommend coming to this dealership if you are looking to buy a car new or used! Kirby Chase and Lee Tinoco are absolutely amazing in every way! We have bought three cars with them over time and every single time we leave happy, excited, and in love with the new vehicle. They make the buying process easy and smooth so that all you have to worry about is loving the car you’re purchasing. Highly highly recommend asking for them if you are in South Austin!”
That is one customer’s account of buying from us. The best way to test it is to come in with both trims on your list and see how the process feels.
Start with the CLE 300 at Mercedes-Benz of South Austin, 10900 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78748, and bring your questions about the CLE 450.
Mercedes-Benz of South Austin answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Austin showroom, or call 512-646-6699.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Mercedes-Benz of South Austin for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
