The MK3 model Mercedes CLS is a four-door coupe that offers a more desirable alternative to that full-sized executive saloon you might have been considering. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the revised version.

Ten Second Review

The Mercedes CLS was the original 'Gran Turismo'-style four-door coupe model in the full-sized Executive segment and its always been the only choice if you only want four doors in a model of this sort. This third generation version reprised much of the style of the original and showcases the brand's most cutting-edge engine technology. Particularly in this lightly updated form.

Background

There are some cars that don't need to try very hard to justify their place in the overall scheme of things. Other rivals might do things better when you examine the numbers, but this rare cadre of vehicles thrive merely because they're beautiful things to own. On the face of it, there's nothing a Mercedes-Benz CLS does that's significantly superior to a garden-variety E-Class, but just look at the thing. It's a car most would love to own. The first generation CLS appeared in 2004 and lasted for six years, pioneering the 'Gran Turismo' part of the executive segment later taken up by five-door rivals like the Audi A7 Sportback and the BMW 5 Series GT. The second generation CLS model launched in 2010 didn't look quite as extreme, but was better in virtually every other regard. The pace of development at Mercedes is utterly breathtaking and many of the systems developed for the latest C, E and S-Class models found their way into this MK3 model CLS-Class line up when it was launched in 2018. A light update in mid-2021 kept this car looking and feeling current.

Driving Experience

The standard 400d CLS model comes with the in-line six-cylinder diesel engine that Mercedes first launched in later versions of the last generation S-Class saloon. It produces 326hp and 700Nm of torque in the 400d and can sprint from rest to 62 mph in 5 seconds en route to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 features a six cylinder petrol unit putting out 435hp and 520Nm using the brand's clever EQ Boost technology, includes a 48 volt inline starter generator offering an extra 22hp boost for overtaking. It can travel from standstill to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph. 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive comes as standard across the range. More technology is provided by the optional autonomous driving set-up that when activated, allows the car to pretty much drive itself, working with the adaptive cruise control and active steering systems to keep this CLS rolling in its chosen lane at any chosen speed up to 130mph. All models get 9-speed auto transmission and Mercedes' 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system. Twisting secondary roads don't really sit in this car's comfort zone - the steering's not especially feelsome but the brilliant ride quality and superb refinement offer ample compensation.

Design and Build

The CLS has always been a looker. There was a certain delicacy to the styling of the very first version of this model, launched back in 2004. It was almost as if a basic shape was decided on early in the design process and then all the details and extraneous gewgaws were pared back. Less really was more. The second generation model of 2010 (which gained an extra 'Shooting Brake' estate body style) decided that more was, after all, more. The styling was busier with a more muscular bulge to its wheel arches and a front end that was more pit bull than its slightly feline predecessor. This MK3 model launched in 2018 (offered only in four-door coupe form) turned out to be classier and more desirable, its character marked by a forward-slanting front section and a grille contour that widens towards the base. Other MK3 model features include wide, low-set headlamps and two-section tail lights. This lightly updated version gets a re-styled radiator grille with three-dimensional star patterns, chrome-gloss surfaces, a louvre in high-gloss black with chrome inlay and the integrated Mercedes star. Further down, there's an AMG-specific front apron with A-wing in black, a front splitter in silver chrome, sporty, distinctive air intakes with vertical bars and aerodynamically shaped flics in high-gloss black. Other features include AMG sill trim on the side and AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid. Otherwise, things are much as before. At first glance, you'll take in the arching waistline, the flat side window lines and low roofline, all contributing to a Cd value of 0.26 that's positive proof of this design's sleek aerodynamics. Inside, it feels surprisingly spacious for a model proporting to be a 'four-door coupe' and the high end cabin feel has been enhanced in this revised model by a newly designed capacitive multi-function steering wheel and new trim finishes, plus a wider range of upholstery options. As with the E-Class, the brand here delivers a 'widescreen cockpit' design that sees two 12.3-inch displays arranged beneath a shared, continuous glass cover. Move to the back and you'll find that this CLS Coupe is a five-seater for the first time. When required the backrests can be folded down in a 40/20/40 ratio, expanding the generous 520-litre luggage compartment.

Market and Model

Let's start with the diesel. The CLS 400d 4MATIC derivative is priced from around £75,000. 'Night Edition Premium Plus' is the only trim level available and comes with comprehensive standard equipment including 20-inch alloy wheels, a parking package including a reversing camera, full leather upholstery and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats. Up-front, there's a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with MBUX Augmented Reality navigation, a Burmester Surround Sound System and a fully digitalised 12.3-inch cockpit instrument display. Plus you get ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours, Agility Control suspension with selective damping, an electric sliding sunroof and a 'Night' dark styling package. The alternative is the petrol Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ at around £87,000, which has a 3.0-litre six cylinder 435hp unit. On both variants, a 'Driving Assistance Plus' package is optionally available for around £1,700 if you want the elements of semi-autonomous driving that Mercedes can now offer. That includes route-based speed adaptation - meaning the vehicle can detect upcoming junctions and roundabouts and adjust its speed accordingly.

Cost of Ownership

The CLS has often been chosen by those looking for a sleek and powerful-looking car that won't break the bank to run. The reason why? You can get some very economical diesels and these days the CLS 400d offers the best economy of any CLS model to date. Compare it to the original MK2 model CLS 320 CDI and it's a bit of a revelation. Where the original CLS diesel returned 37mpg on the combined cycle and emitted 200g/km, this one (under the much stricter WLTP cycle with with 4MATIC 4WD) nets you 38.7mpg (combined) and emits 191g/km of CO2. Even the 435bhp CLS 53 petrol model returns a creditable 29.7mpg, with emissions rated at 216g/km. All variants get a 37% BiK rating. The desirability of the CLS helps it perform strongly on the used market and the diesel-engined car is the most sought after. Comparatively rare cars with evocative styling rarely fall out of bed by the time owners come to sell them on and this is no exception. Servicing is not cheap however and the car's coupe status hardly encourages generosity from the insurance industry.

Summary

Once upon a time, you could admire a Mercedes, aspire to ownership, or respect what it did but it was rarely possible to form an emotional bond with one. But then the CLS arrived and changed all that. As it still does. This MK3 model may not be quite as arresting as the first generation original but it'll still make a splash in the office car park and mark you out as an independent thinker, especially in this improved form. If that's the case, you may well agree with us that this four-door formula's certainly more elegant than the hatchback format that rivals in this sector use. For self-made business people seeking an appropriate but not extravagant reward for a lifetime's endeavour, the CLS remains an expressive, individual and very complete choice, provided you can afford its significant price tag. It's a very German expression of fashionability, but the right kind of buyer will find it very desirable indeed.

Body Glass

Green tinted glass

Heated windscreen wash system

Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation

Electric front/rear windows with one touch opening and closing, including obstruction sensors

Privacy glass for rear side windows and rear window

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electronic Stability Programme

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist

Brake calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering + perforated brake discs

Adaptive brake system with HOLD function and brake drying in the wet

Carpets/Rugs

AMG Line floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Agility control lowered suspension with selective damping system

Communication

Bluetooth interface for hands free telephone

WLAN with Wi-Fi hotspot on on board access

Driver Aids

Cruise control + speed limiter

Front and rear parking sensors

Active park assist

Attention assist

Collision prevention assist plus

DYNAMIC SELECT with a choice of driving modes (ECO, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual)

Driver Convenience

Remote boot release

ECO start/stop function

Emergency services call system

Driver Information

Outside temperature gauge

Brake wear warning light

Head up Display

Service indicator (Active Service System)

Mercedes connect me

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto

Status display for rear seat belts in instrument cluster

Traffic sign assist

Trip computer in multifunction display showing current fuel consumption

MBUX Interior assistant

MBUX augmented reality for navigation

MBUX voice control activated by keywords "Hey Mercedes"

MBUX navigation with 2 x 12.3" widescreen cockpit display with touchscreen

Touchpad without controller

MBUX touchpad

Driving Mirrors

Electric adjustable heated door mirrors

High gloss black door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Open pore grey ash wood centre console

Open pore grey ash wood dashboard and door trim

Engine

Diesel particulate filter

66 litre fuel tank

Incorrect fuelling protection

25 litre AdBlue tank

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Burmester surround sound system with 13 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Electric sliding sunroof

Chrome door handles

Lip spoiler

Visible twin exhaust tailpipe in bumper

High gloss black waistline

Radiator grille with integral star and 1 louvre in matt iridium silver with chrome trim

Pre-installation for roof rail systems

Sports tyres with noise reducing absorber

Radio aerial in rear window

AMG bodystyling front and rear aprons and side sill panels

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

Exterior Lights

Adaptive brake lights

Welcome lighting

LED daytime running lights

LED rear lights

Adaptive high beam assist

LED high performance headlamps

LED 3rd brake light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system with 3 climate zones

Interior Features

Leather upholstery

Storage compartment under load area floor

Front and rear door pockets

Front centre armrest with storage compartment

Leather gear knob

Lockable/illuminated air conditioned glovebox

Rear armrest with storage + cupholders

Steering wheel gearshift paddles

Black roof liner

Artico man-made leather upper dashboard and beltlines with contrast stitching

Glasses compartment in overhead control panel

AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with aluminium rubber studs

Electrically adjustable height/reach steering wheel

Black door pins

3 Spoke multifunction AMG steering wheel in black nappa leather with flattened bottom, touch control buttons chrome inserts or beige round steering

Mercedes Benz illuminated door sills

Interior Lights

Interior rear light/integral reading lights

Centre armrest and door handle illumination

Interior lighting - 64 colour Ambient lighting

Courtesy lights in rear grab handles with reading light functionality

Packs

Memory pack - CLS

Seat Comfort Pack - CLS

Stowage Pack - CLS

Mirror pack - CLS

Keyless Go comfort package - CLS

Parking package with 360 degree camera - CLS

Safety

3 point seatbelts

Front and rear curtain airbags

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Drivers knee airbag

Window airbags

Pre-Safe anticipatory safety system

Rear seatbelt warning indicator

Childproof locks manually operated for rear doors and electrically operated for rear power windows

Airbags - sidebag for driver and front passenger with combined thorax/pelvis bag

Active bonnet pedestrian safety measure which detects an impact and raises bonnet

Airbags - driver and front passenger, with extended adaptivity for front passenger airbag

3x3 point rear seat belts

Seats

Auto Mercedes-Benz child seat recognition sensor

40:20:40 split folding rear seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Seat occupancy sensor for front passenger seat

Head restraints for driver and front passenger (four-way adjustability) and in rear (two-way)

Seat heating

ISOFIX child seat attachment points two outer rear seats

Single front passenger seat

Security

Remote central locking

Locking wheel bolts

Alarm system/interior protection/immobiliser

Chrome surround electric key

Central locking with interior switch, automatic locking and crash sensor with emergency opening function

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

20" AMG multi spoke alloy wheels painted in black with a high sheen finish

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 69

CO: 0.033

HC: N

NOx: 0.035

HC+NOx: 0.051

Particles: 0.0006

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 188

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 188

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 188

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.3

CC: 2925

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 15.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 9 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 26.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - High: 46.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 43.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 39.2

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 26.7

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 26.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 46.3

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 46.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 43.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 43.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 39.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 39.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 10.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 7.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 10.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 10.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 6.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 6.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 7.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 7.2

General

Coin Series: AMG Line Ngt Ed Pr+

Coin Description: d 4Matic

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 30

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Service Interval Mileage: 15500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 330

Badge Engine CC: 2.9

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.2

Top Speed: 155

Engine Power - BHP: 330

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 243

Engine Power - RPM: 3600

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 516

Engine Torque - NM: 700

Engine Torque - RPM: 1200

Engine Torque - MKG: 71.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/35 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 275/30 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: MULTI SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4988

Width: 1890

Wheelbase: 2939

Width (including mirrors): 2069

Height: 1435

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1925

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2545

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 60

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1900

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 620

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 520

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 100

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.9

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

Manufaktur metallic paint

Interior Features

12V Accessory socket in centre console

Packs

Driving assistance plus package - CLS

Night pack with body colour door mirrors - CLS

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Graphite grey

Metallic - Obsidian black

Metallic - Emerald green

Metallic - Selenite Grey

Metallic - Mojave silver

Metallic - High tech silver

Metallic - Spectral blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Polar white

Paint - Special

Manufaktur metallic - Hyacinth red

Manufaktur metallic - Diamond white

Trim - Leather

Leather - Sienna brown / black

Leather - Neva grey/magma grey

Leather - Macchiato beige/magma grey

Leather - Black