I drove an $84,000 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. Here are 14 features that show it's a world-class luxury convertible.

The CLE features an aerodynamic "shark nose" front end shared with the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The CLE's front fascia features a large, three-dimensional chrome grille with a galaxy of small three-pointed stars surrounding the large Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star logo in the center.

The smooth, seamless rear fascia features LED taillights and chrome faux exhaust tips.

Under the hood of the CLE450 is a mild hybrid 3.0-liter, turbocharged straight-six engine that produces 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

The engine is supplemented by Mercedes' 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which uses an integrated starter generator to contribute an additional 23 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The system is designed to mitigate the effects of turbo lag and quicken the response of its auto start/stop system.

My six-cylinder CLE450 test car boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.

The CLE's fabric top can open or close in just 20 seconds. The acoustic soft top, which operates at speeds up to 37 mph, features extensive insulation and is designed to reduce wind and road noise.

The CLE comes with a wind-deflection system to keep the wind out of your hair. The Mercedes AIRCAP wind deflector system directs air high above the vehicle so that occupants can enjoy open-top driving without being blasted by wind at high speeds.

The system consists of a wind deflector that extends a few inches above the top of the windshield and a mesh deflector behind the rear seats.

The front seat headrests are equipped with the Mercedes-Benz "airscarf" system, which uses a constant stream of warm air to create a virtual scarf for the CLE's passengers.

Perfect for top-down driving on a cold day.

The CLE450 drives like a true grand tourer, smooth and effortlessly powerful. Unlike a pure sports car, it's athletic but performs without compromising comfort.

Thanks to the AIRCAP system, the cabin remains remarkably quiet and civil. Even with the top down, you can carry on a conversation at a normal volume at highway speeds.

The engine is smooth and delivers near-instantaneous acceleration through its slick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission.

The mild hybrid system performed as expected, effectively filling in any holes in the engine's torque and smoothing the traditional harshness of an auto start/stop system.

According to Mercedes, the 375 horsepower CLE450 4Matic can run from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 4.2 seconds.

The CLE Cabriolet's cabin is stylish, luxurious, and comfortable. Its interior is an elegant blend of modern design and callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz of days gone by, like the giant 11.9-inch touchscreen sitting below the trio of vintage turbine-design air vents.

Material and build quality are excellent. The warmth and organic feel of the black Nappa leather upholstery and anthracite wood trim offset the cold industrial feel of the CLE's metallic accents.

In front of the driver is a stylish three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

The display is highly configurable, with layouts ranging from a traditional dual analog gauge look to a full-page navigation map.

My test car was also equipped with a handy color head-up display.

The CLE's 11.9-inch touchscreen is equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience, or MBUX, infotainment system. The system is pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.

The screen is home to the CLE's 360-degree camera system, drive mode menu, and web browser.

The CLE comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A touch-sensitive button immediately below the screen allows the occupants to change the screen's tilt from 15 degrees to up to 40 degrees to combat glare.

My test car came with 20-inch AMG multispoke wheels. The upgraded wheels were an $850 option. Otherwise, the CLE450 Cabriolet comes with 19-inch wheels.

Standard features on the CLE include adaptive high beam assist, active brake assist, Parktronic with active parking assist, blind spot assist, and Presafe.

You'll need to opt for the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package to get goodies like adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change assist, and active lane keeping assist.

The CLE's seats remain surprisingly cool to the touch, even when exposed to the sun. That's because the leather used in the drop top is treated with a special coating that helps it reflect sunlight and remain up to 53 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than untreated leather, Mercedes says.

My CLE test car came equipped with a Burmester sound system, which boasts 17 speakers and 710 watts of output. It delivers a clear and powerful sound even with the top down at highway speeds.