Mercedes CLS
Recommended.
A large coupe that provides driver enjoyment and the ability to carry four. The looks may not please everyone, but it is striking beast nonetheless.
Mercedes CLS review
The original CLS was a significant success for Mercedes. The curvaceous saloon sold around 170,000 examples on the strength of its elegant appearance, and the manufacturer claims to have invented the lucrative four-door coupe market with its launch in 2003.
Needless to say other manufacturers have rushed to fill the resulting niche by slipping svelte bodies over their own mid-sized saloons, but Mercedes is determined to stay ahead of the crowd with a new version of its CLS that's due to arrive in the UK next year.
The model has been treated to plethora of improvements, including lighter aluminium bodywork, better aerodynamics, more economical engines (including a four-cylinder diesel), electromechanical steering and even directional LED headlights, but the real step change is the CLS's new looks.
Mercedes is the first to admit that the car's success hinges on its appearance, so it was bold of the design team to reinterpret the original CLS's much-admired lines quite as thoroughly as they have. It may not be to everyone's taste, but the new CLS remains a step above the E Class it shares a platform with.
That's mostly thanks the low swept roofline that tapers into the rear quarter. As before this means tall rear passengers have to sacrifice a little headroom, but this is compensated by a generous amount of leg space.
The cabin is an attractive place, too. Mercedes is offering a decent amount of customisation inside the CLS, and so long as you avoid the woeful wood finishes, the result is a quality interior which, although staid, never fails to exude a premium feel.
As comfortable as the car is for its passengers, the best seat in the house is reserved for its driver - the dynamic enhancements are a triumph. Mercedes has gifted the new CLS with a precise, refined and bewitching sense of progress that rewards considerate input with supremely capable cruising output.
At the core of this experience is a powerhouse collection of engines mated to an automatic gearbox that shifts cogs with sleight of hand subterfuge. The updated 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the 350 CDI is practically faultless, offering effortless advancement with an mpg figure in the high 40s. The oil burner is so good the six-cylinder petrol lump cannot compete, meaning diesel-dodgers must dig deep for the brilliant sounding twin-turbo V8 in the prohibitively expensive CLS 500.
Inevitably the bulk of sales are likely to fall to the new entry level four-cylinder diesel engine. Combined fuel consumption of 55mpg and sub 140g/km CO2 emissions should seal the CLS 250 CDI's popularity with the fleet market; especially given the car's accomplished on-road temperament.
There are minor niggles of course; the instrumentation panel is cluttered with too many warning signals, the electronic seat controls are stranded untidily on the doors and Mercedes' infotainment system is still not as intuitive as BMW's i-Drive, but if you're in the market for a high-end four-door coupe - and the CLS's raw-boned new look doesn't put you off - this new model is well worth considering.
Overall car
STYLING
The CLS's styling is essential only because that's largely what you're spending your money on. The new model is good looking enough for it to mount a challenge to the inquisitive E-Class buyer, but if you came to the conclusion that it lacked a little something of what made its predecessor special, you wouldn't be alone.
HANDLING
The new CLS feels confident and capable in almost every situation. The electromechanical steering isn't perfect, but it's a triumph compared to some of its rivals' best efforts. Impressively, the car is not a slave to its executive saloon class - push hard enough and its rear-wheel drive character will make itself felt.
COMFORT
Mercedes' Airmatic adaptive suspension (with a choice of Comfort or Sport) comes up trumps at last, and even the standard steel springs are capable of offering a superior ride quality. The manufacturer's efforts to reduce noise have also paid impressive dividends.
QUALITY & RELIABILITY
Mercedes' new wraparound dash might not exactly stir the soul, but the there's little doubting the bombproof quality of everything on display. The manufacturer hasn't matched BMW aesthetically, but the sensation of a premium environment is present and correct.
PERFORMANCE
Although the best-selling CLS is likely to be the conservative four-cylinder diesel engine, the more expensive alternatives are all fine options. The 350 CDI pips the equivalent petrol unit as the best all-rounder while the CLS 500 offers bi-turbo thrust for those with sufficiently deep pockets.
ROOMINESS
The requirements of that seductively tapered rear mean that the CLS is never going to offer the interior space of an E Class, but, assuming you're not a professional basketball player there's still plenty of room.
STEREO / SAT NAV
The Harmon Kardon stereo system is a superb addition, offering crisp, clear sound throughout the cabin. The sat nav isn't quite as clear as some of the car's rivals, but it's still a decent unit.
RUNNING COSTS
Surprisingly good when you consider what you're getting. The 3.0-litre turbodiesel offers fantastic performance, and yet is capable of 47mpg. The four-cylinder variant will take you either further. A bigger wallet is required for the petrol models.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Hard to definitively argue this one as there is no official word on the CLS's pricing yet. The current car's tag probably isn't wide of the mark, which means you'll be paying the usual premium over the E Class. Just make sure you like the way it looks.
ENVIRONMENT
The inclusion of the four-cylinder diesel engine will bump the car's reputation up amongst environmentalists. The entry-level effort offers sub 140g/km CO2 emissions. The rest of the engine range is not great though.
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