Auto tested more than 90 cars in 2025. As is tradition, we re-published our six favourite Best Tests through the first weeks of December. Then we presented three Auto Special Awards in Best EV and Best Bakkie, and today, we introduce you to Auto’s Performance car of the year 2025. Come back tomorrow when we wrap it up with our Best Test of 2025!
AUTO PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR: MERCEDES-AMG CLE 53
Pcoty 2025 CLE 53 reminds us why we like to drive
It’s been a while since we enjoyed a car as much as this Mercedes-AMG CLE 53. And not because it’s packed with so much technology that it made our eyes water. Nope, this car is more about simplicity. Which makes driving it quite sensational.
Over the past few years, I cannot be exact, because it crept up on us like s slippery ghost up an unsuspecting skirt. But sportscars have just become so dumb. It started with that wild woke charge that led the world to believe that the future was electric.
Well, the woke world thought the future was electric, anyway. Since then, those fools have come to understand exactly what the meaning of the old phrase of leading the horse to water really means. It may not drink.
CLE 53 Makes one wonder about Electrification
Humanity does not want electric cars. We never did. Never will. They’re canning EV projects by the dozen. All those job losses in the European, China and US car industry? Ah yes, they’re all directly related to the death of the EV. Nobody buys them.
To be honest, I reckon the semi-clown plug-in hybrid will be the next to go. I’ll put a beer on that too. Just like I did that EVs were never going to be it. Because they’re not. No matter what anyone tells you. Least not a lost carmaker boss!
So, it was a really special treat when this Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 showed up on our driveway. See, its nothing like the C63 AMG with its bastard half-battery half-gas set-up. Or even the E53 we had a few weeks back that was kinda two-thirds EV, a third gas.
A good, old school straight six lurking
See, the only hybrid assistance this CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé offers, is the 17 kW 48 volt mild collar tucked into the nose of its AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. So most of the onus of this car’s propulsion is left to the good, old school 330 kW 600 Nm overboost M 256M 3-litre straight six lurking under the bonnet.
To be honest, we’d enjoyed all those siblings and their gregarious and grandiose slices of electrification. But to a car, they all made us forget what we loved best about driving a good old performance coupe or sedan.
So to say that this car failed to disappoint would be the understatement of the year. Like a long forgotten whip, this car pulls beautifully. It has that old school fee of a lighter, nimbler machine that does not need to pretend it’s something else to escape the dealer floor.
CLE 53 a Real, Seat of the Pants Driving Machine
No, this car is real, seat of the pants driving machine. Like all the cars that made us want to do this job, that made us stand at attention. A breath of fresh air indeed! Never mind, its fast. Rudely fast. 3.7 seconds to 100 km/h is just a tenth off the E 53 with all its hefty electric voodoo.
Packing fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, there’s also 5-mode Dynamic Select, Independent Ride Control suspension with 3-stage speed-sensitive, and rear-axle steering. Lithe and agile, there’s not a hint of that electric heft, contrived shunt and dream-on planet saving.
Performance is Just Part of CLE 53 Allure
But that’s just part of it, Shaped by desire and inspired by dreams, the new Mercedes-AMG CLE also goes back to the future to deliver a two-in-one C-Class Coupé and E-Class Coupé all rolled into one.
Our frozen black sampler turned heads everywhere it went. Wider fenders add a muscular stance, especially from behind. And those optional deep-dish 20-inch wheels… Oh wow! Pictures don’t do it justice.
An emotional design from every angle, it’s aggressive with flowing surfaces and seamless transitions. A progressive shark nose, 3D mouth, LED headlamps, and long, low clamshell hood topped by trademark SL power bubbles set a vibrant pace. And then you swing that long door open.
Caramel Sensuous Cockpit Screams Sexy
The caramel sensuous cockpit screams sexy. This one’s tan leather pews and finishes are to, well, die for. The 64-color indirect ambient-lit space is driver centered. Integrated headrests even get the very best out of the car’s Burmester 3D surround audio.
CLE gets free-standing 12.3-inch digital dials behind the smart leather sports steering wheel and 11.9-inch portrait central display, all deployed in a light and dynamic feel. Its generally wonderful. Although the centre dash is compromised and tight
Mercedes loves its multifunction and touch controls. We hate them. Give us our knobs back! The newest MBUX system is however packed with all the goodies, from Auto to Car Play, Bluetooth, all the c-USBs, kitchen sink, cableless charging, hey Mercedes voice capability, next-level navigation, and the rest.
Interestingly, for all our kudos on its feel, the CLE 53 is not light at two tonnes. Nor is it cheap and two million. But it’s a Mercedes-AMG that still remembers that its a Mercedes-AMG, rather than parading as a milk float or a trolley bus. And for us, that makes it great.
Now, we hear stories of a return to an AMG V8 and far more dynamic focus. If this car is anything to go by, we cannot wait. And if you cant either it’s a damn good compromise before the real back to the future thing comes. It just feels so darn right! – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
AUTO PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR 2025
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe 4Matic+
Engine: 330 kW 600 Nm 3-litre biturbo petrol I6
Motor: 17 kW 205 Nm 48V Mild Hybrid
Drive: 9-speed automatic AWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 1.67 sec
0-100 km/h: 3.77 sec
0-120 km/h 5.15sec
0-160 km/h: 8.83 sec
400m: 11.9 sec @ 186km/h
80-120 km/h: 2.49 sec
120-160 km/h: 3.68 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 250 km/h
Fuel Average: 9.7 l/100 km
CO2: 217 g/km
Warranty/Service: 5y 100K/5y 100K km
LIST PRICE: R2.08M
How does it shape up?
Check Auto's Test Records now!
Performance car of the year Roll of Honour
2000 Audi RS 6 Avant
2001 BMW M3 SMG
2002 Subaru Impreza STi
2003 Mitsubishi Lacer Evolution 9
2004 BMW M3 CSL
2005 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG
2006 BMW M5
2007 Audi RS 4
2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
2009 Chevrolet Lumina Ute
2010 Porsche 911 GT2
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
2012 Jaguar XKR-S
2013 BMW M5
2014 Porsche Cayman S
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C
2016 Jaguar F Type R AWD
2017 Audi R8 V10 plus
2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
2019 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S
2020 BMW M5 Competition
2021 Hyundai i30N
2022 Toyota GR Yaris
2023 Audi RS3 Sedan
2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S e-Performance
2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe
Performance car of the year History
2000-2012: Cars in Action
2013-2019: AutoWeek
2020-2025: Auto