First Drive: Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet

How it looks on the street: The AMG CLE Cabriolet is a carefree, nimble convertible that adds extra performance panache to the Mercedes character. It’s characterized by a wide front grille, and can be customized with five wheel options. Along the body are long struts. An acoustic multi-layer soft top goes up and down at 37 miles per hour, and takes just over 20 seconds to move into place. The top is  available in contrasting black, grey and red. We drove the carefree refreshed convertible in Miami, it’s natural habitat.  

How it makes you feel when you get in: Six different options on the driving display add a bit of variety to the center display on the 12.3-inch digital cluster, and 11.9 inch center display AMG performance seats are available or standard sport seats and the temp on the seats can be lowered to be about 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Heated seats are standard, and cooling seats are optional — an optimal feature for a convertible. The air scarf is a neck heater adding that wonderful blend of hot and cold contrasts, like hot cocoa on a cool morning. For long hair, the wind cap function keeps the breeze down.

How it drives: Driving a convertible is about fun, and the AMG is plenty of that. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six paired with a 9-speed automatic. It’s equipped with all-wheel drive and a mild hybrid. It shifts cleanly boosted by the character of sport plus, and there’s a bit of variety in the exhaust tone.

Space for people and things: Like most convertibles, space is not the reason to purchase this vehicle. Trunk space is limited, as is passenger room.

What should you compare it to: BMW M440i xDrive Convertible and 718 Boxster B.

How much does it cost: $83,750.