If there’s something that’s disappearing faster than kindness and civility, it’s the luxury coupe.

This ultimate form of automotive expression is vanishing as the SUV has become omnipresent. In turn, automakers have become unwilling to offer any true choice in the market. After all, SUVs are little more than tall, four-wheel-drive station wagons. Their outdoorsy monikers can’t hide the fact that they are little more than a postmodern Colony Parks and Kingwood Estates, minus the fake wood grain paneling.

Yet, there are still buyers who don’t see themselves as truck drivers. They desire an extravagantly styled statement of their success, a daily reminder that life should be lavish and exciting. This is why the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe is a godsend. Its extravagant streamline form reminds us that vehicles should be beautiful, a fact far too many automotive designers and automakers seem to have forgotten.

Designed to replace both the compact C-Class and midsized E-Class coupes, its 191-inch overall length falls somewhere between the two in dimension. It proves to be the perfect size, with conceivably usable back seat space and enough length to radiate its stylish sensuality. It’s very much the counterpoint to the prevailing trend that every vehicle should be little more than an unimaginative box.

That’s what makes the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 Coupe an unapologetic reprobate, a thumb in the eye of today’s stultifying SUV orthodoxy.

This slice of extravagance comes with a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine in the CLE 300, producing a respectable 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to reach 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. But it’s the 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine in the CLE 450 producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque that truly endows this coupe with the performance you’d expect, bringing up 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Both engines are fitted with a 48-volt hybrid powertrain with an electric motor that produces an additional 23 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive comes standard on all models.

The CLE uses C-Class underpinnings, but feels more like an E-Class once underway. That said, it doesn’t get the latter’s optional air suspension, so its ride isn’t quite as refined. Still, its overall feel is hard to fault, unless you’re looking for a communicative driving experience. That’s mostly absent, but the controls are nicely weighted and the car remains a hoot to drive. Acceleration is effortless — as it should be — and the turbocharged inline six makes beautiful noise, particularly in Sport driving mode. The latter enlivens the proceedings, cranking the volume on the engine’s soundtrack. But even as the engine note burbles delightfully, it’s not overwhelming or intrusive. And there’s little-to-no road noise.

The CLE 450’s cabin looks much like that of the C-Class, anchored by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen running third-generation MBUX software. Wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play are standard. The touchscreen on our test car seemed overly-sensitive, making it too easy to hit the wrong item. What’s worse is that Apple Car Play didn’t come on reliably. Sometimes it did, sometimes it didn’t. The 17-speaker Burmester sound system provided sound that has a special, clear quality to it.

That said, the test car in question, a CLE 450, needs a fair number of options to be as special as it is. Among the extra-cost options on the test vehicle were red paint, stunning black and white leather seat trim, black wood with aluminum inlays, piano black lacquer center console, surround view system, high-performance tires, rear side airbags, heated seats, massaging seats, ventilated front seats, head-up display, AMG 20-inch wheels, additional USB ports, driver assistance package, black headliner, and the Night Package. All of this inflated the bottom line to $79,140.

Yet build quality is excellent, and the interior has an opulent, indulgent quality that luxury coupes require. Cargo volume is good for a coupe, with 15 cubic feet of space.

It makes for a car that feels special every time you drive it. It’s certainly a rare breed, as most buyers wouldn’t give this car a first look, let alone a second. With prices starting at $56,500, it’s far more fun to drive than nearly any SUV at this price — and far prettier to boot.

Besides, how could you resist such a pretty face?

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 4Matic Coupe

Base price: $56,550-$65,650

Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six

Horsepower/Torque: 375/369 pound-feet

EPA rating (combined city/highway): 26 mpg

Observed fuel economy: 25 mpg

Length/Width/Height: 191/73.3/56 inches

Ground clearance: Not available

Curb weight: 4,266 pounds

Cargo capacity: 15 cubic feet

Towing capacity: Not Rated

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