The brand new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is larger than each the C- and E-Class convertibles that it replaces. You’ll be able to inform. The again seat is genuinely usable by adults, or as I came upon, completely acceptable for putting in a big youngster seat. It wasn’t even onerous to put in it again there (studying the handbook is a should, although, and reducing the roof is extremely advisable).
Then there’s the trunk, which is in fact what I am right here to speak about. As is typical for convertibles, the CLE Cabriolet’s trunk area differs relying on whether or not the roof is up or down. On paper at the very least, both state of affairs yields volumes which might be larger than common: 10.4 down and 13.6 when up. The latter is healthier than fairly a couple of luxurious sedans.
On the left is roof up, on the appropriate is roof down.
You’ll be able to see the partition that should be lowered earlier than reducing the roof (which you are able to do inside through heart console buttons or exterior the automobile by holding the important thing fob lock button). The bit going through the digicam right here is inflexible, nevertheless it’s linked to a skinny piece of vinyl that sits beneath the folded roof.
The partition is customary working process for convertibles like this, however I’ve at all times discovered it to be a handbook operation. Seize and both push or pull.
Not so the CLE Cabriolet.
As a substitute, press this button on the trunk lid. I initially thought it was an influence trunk lid button, however nope.
OK, let’s examine how a lot this sucker can maintain. As with each Baggage Check, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that might should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 extensive, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller inexperienced roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
Beginning with the highest down.
Surprisingly, one of many largest luggage can match underneath the partition together with one of many medium luggage. I needed to put the blue bag in first, inserting it perpendicularly so it may slide underneath the partition, earlier than swiveling it length-wise within the automobile. The smaller medium bag had no situation sliding underneath lengthwise.
To the appropriate you possibly can see that I added one other medium bag and a really squished fancy bag only for illustrative functions. In order that’s three suitcases and the equal of a soft-sided duffel bag in a four-person convertible with the highest down. That is actually good!
Let’s have a look at how significantly better it will get by placing the roof and partition up.
However first, let’s point out there’s a trunk pass-through. As typical, Mercedes makes use of little buttons on all sides of the trunk which might be so significantly better than each different means you will see (particularly when it comes to not hampering area, as wire-based pulls do). I truly wanted to pop the seat ahead in an effort to set up the kid seat. As I stated, studying the handbook is a should, however then it’s extremely straightforward.
OK, I truly present you this not due to the pass-through itself, however due to the opening threshold.
It is principally the dimensions of fancy bag! Ergo, we simply bought some bonus area right here. I’d not have been capable of stuff this again there with the partition in place, though there’s a probability you would put it right here after which decrease the partition afterward. I do not know, did not strive. Let me know if you happen to personal each a CLE Cabriolet and a Samantha Brown QVC in a single day bag and need to give it a whirl.
With fancy bag stuffed again there, that is in truth all my luggage minus the larger blue one. Once more, wow!
This successfully matches the Cadillac CT4 and CT5, and betters the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Genesis G70. Now, that 13.6-cubic-foot determine is definitely greater than what’s printed for the C-Class, however that may match all my luggage, so I do not know what is going on on with its official measurement of 12.6 cubic-feet.
As for convertibles, it most likely will not shock you that I have never examined many over time. They do not even get their very own class in my Baggage Check Mega Roundup. They’re lumped into “Different” together with Honda Ridgelines and Mercedes Sprinters. In truth, that is solely the third two-row convertible I’ve examined (not counting the Wrangler and Bronco).
However, the CLE Cabriolet is the brand new Convertible Automobile Baggage Check Champion! The statuette is within the mail to Stuttgart as you learn this. The CLE’s bag quantity with the roof and down smokes the 4 Sequence Convertible and laughs on the Lexus LC 500. Hell, the two-door Ford Bronco is not that significantly better.
So very thrilling. However there’s extra!
The CLE Cab even has the fold-up little field beneath the trunk ground that you simply’d discover in Mercedes sedans. OK, now that is simply too thrilling. I will want to chill off.
