Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Interior

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Pros: Dazzling “4-door-coupe” sloped-roof styling; impressive cabin materials; muscular acceleration, especially in AMG models

Cons: Significantly pricier than similar E-Class; swoopy roof cuts into rear-seat headroom; ride is somewhat stiff on AMG models

CG Says: The Mercedes-Benz CLS is mostly unchanged for 2016. The all-wheel drive CLS550 gets the 9-speed automatic transmission added last year to the rear-drive CLS550. The CLS-Class is a midsize 4-passenger, 4-door luxury sedan with a coupe-like rear roofline. It is based on the E-Class sedan, and priced between the E-Class and the flagship S-Class in Mercedes’ lineup. Mercedes introduced the CLS for the 2006 model year, calling it a 4-door coupe, and kicking off a niche class that was later followed by the Audi A7 and BMW 6-Series. The CLS also vies for sales against a variety of midsize luxury sedans from Europe, Japan, and the United States. The CLS-Class lacks the E-Class’s rear seat room and cargo versatility, and it costs considerably more. For their money, buyers get svelte, dramatic styling and perhaps even more cachet than the Mercedes brand already holds. Power and refinement are exemplary, and the CLS63 AMG offers more of both.

The Facts
Class Premium Midsize Car
Body Style(s) 4-door sedan
Passenger Count 4
Drive Wheels rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
Nation of Manufacture Germany
Base Prices CLS400: $66,900
AWD CLS400: $69,400
CLS550: $74,100
AWD CLS550: $76,600
AWD CLS63 AMG: $107,800

Base Engine
turbocharged 3.0-liter V6
Horsepower
329
Std. Transmission
7-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
19-20
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
26-30

Optional Engine
turbocharged 4.7-liter V8
Horsepower
402
Std. Transmission
9-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
17
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
25-26

Optional Engine
turbocharged 5.5-liter V8
Horsepower
577
Std. Transmission
7-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
16
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
22

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
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