Mercedes CLS saloon (2011-2017) - Interior & comfort

The Mercedes CLS has comfortable leather seats and the driving position is excellent

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Interior & comfort Rating

4.0 out of 5

Mercedes CLS dashboard

Comfort is definitely a CLS strong point, thanks in part to its luxurious cabin. The car is based on the Mercedes E-Class, but inside it bears more of a resemblance to the larger and plusher Mercedes S-Class, with an interior that features plenty of leather, metal and wood. The cabin has been designed to feel sportier than the E-Class', too. We did find the steering wheel was slightly offset from the driver's seat, which can feel strange sometimes.

Equipment

The two diesel models (the CLS 220 and CLS 350 BlueTEC) come in AMG Line trim. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, an AMG steering wheel trimmed in Napa leather, heated front sports seats, leather upholstery, parking assistance, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dual-zone climate control and Mercedes' COMAND online infotainment system, which includes an eight-inch colour display screen and sat-nav.

The petrol CLS 400 comes in its own specific AMG Line specification, which includes an alternative 19-inch alloy wheel design, an electric glass sunroof, an AMG bootlid spoiler, a Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo, a reversing camera, 'Memory' and 'Multi-Contour' seat packs, plus red stitching on the black leather throughout the interior.

The top-of-the-range CLS 63 AMG comes with all the equipment you could ever want, including an AMG bodykit, 19-inch AMG alloy wheels in grey, AMG 'Passion' leather upholstery and Thermotronic climate control.

Options

Options on the entry-level car include air suspension, a 360-degree camera system and upgraded upholstery. CLS 63 AMG customers can specify – among other items – privacy glass and a Bang & Olufsen stereo, as well as carbon-fibre and gloss-black styling packs.

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster arrives – popular budget SUV enters its third generation
2024 Dacia Duster front-quarter dynamic view
News
29 Nov 2023

New 2024 Dacia Duster arrives – popular budget SUV enters its third generation

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
1 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Top 10 best cars under £200 per month 2023/2024
Best cars for 200 per month
Best cars
28 Nov 2023

Top 10 best cars under £200 per month 2023/2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023