Review
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class saloon
Price: £46,860 - £62,320
/5
- Pros:
- Head turning looks
- Strong performance
- Beautifully built
- Cons:
- Optional extras are expensive
- No five-seat option
- Limited rear visibility
pictured: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class saloon 2011 4 door
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The four-door, four-seat Mercedes-Benz CLS is one of the most stylish saloons on the road. But although blends the good looks and driver appeal of a coupé it's still very practical."
At a glance
- The greenest
- CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 4dr
£46,860 - The cheapest
- CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 4dr
£46,860 - The fastest
- CLS 500 Sport Auto 4dr
£62,320 - Top of the range
- CLS 500 Sport Auto 4dr
£62,320
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There were plenty of people who doubted Mercedes-Benz' ability to successfully combine the looks and drivability of a coupé with the practicality of a saloon. They shouldn't have done... The CLS didn't just impress all those who saw it, it inspired an entire new class of rival and copycat cars, including the Audi A5 Sportback, the Audi A7 Sportback and the Volkswagen Passat CC. This is the second generation of the car. It gets an even bolder design and totally new range of engines. Under the skin, there is a new suspension system, which improves the car's handling and comfort. As well as being a great car to drive, the new CLS is fantastically well built, and has a beautiful cabin. What's more, Mercedes offers a huge range of optional extras so you can tailor the car to your exact specification. Watch out though - going wild with aftermarket add ons can significantly boost the purchase price.
Drive
Powerful engines mean impressive performance, particularly on the motorway
Accurate steering makes the CLS a great car to drive on demanding, winding roads, but it's equally at home on the motorway. In-gear acceleration impresses most, making the Mercedes perfect for overtaking and effortless cruising. Cabin noise levels are very low, regardless of whether you choose petrol or diesel power. However, if you are keeping a close eye on the cost of fuel, miles per gallon economy figures make it clear that the CLS 250CDI diesel is by far the best choice.
Comfort
Leather seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the driving position is excellent
You sit low to the ground in Mercedes' new CLS, but the our testers agreed, the driving position strikes just the right balance between comfort and sportiness. The leather seats are extremely comfortable and the thick rimmed steering wheel is lightly padded - improving the sense of luxury, and making the CLS a great car in which to cover long distances. Entry level cars have coil sprung suspension, which can feel firm on rough roads. Buyers can choose to have their car fitted with air suspension - which improves comfort and offers a sports setting to boost agility even further.
Reliability
Beautifully built, the Mercedes CLS has a strong reputation for reliability
As well as being engineered to last, the Mercedes CLS has a strong reputation for reliability. All of the controls feel very robust, and there is an attention to detail to the interior design that is missing from many rivals - including BMW. Safety is first rate, particularly if you equip the car with Mercedes' own active safety system, PREsafe, which includes a lane keep system, and a special arrangement which will prepare the cabin for a potential accident (seatbelts tighten, windows close), limiting injury.
Practicality
The cabin is surprisingly spacious and the boot is easy to access
There is plenty of space in the front and rear, and headroom in the back is better than you might expect, given that plunging roofline. The boot is reasonably propotioned, but a little shallow, so it can be difficult to transport bulky items.
Value for money
Prices are high but equipment is generous
Mercedes-Benz doesn't do "cheap" cars, and the CLS is more expensive to buy than an equivalent executive saloon, like the BMW 5 Series. Residual values are not as strong either. This car's status as a style icon means that while demand is strong new, it's not as intense on the used market.
Running costs
Entry level diesel engines are cheapest to run
Go for the entry level CLS 250CDI diesel model, if you want to keep running costs at rock bottom, and watch out for expensive insurance costs. Servicing is reasonably priced, however, and with fixed prices for jobs like changing brake pads, costs are transparent.
