2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What’s new

　　For 2018, Mercedes has discontinued the entry-level CLS 400 from the lineup. A rearview camera is now standard for the remaining CLS trims.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　When the Mercedes-Benz CLS debuted for the 2006 model year, it pioneered the "four-door coupe" market. Mercedes got away with calling it a coupe because of the sloping roofline that gave it a distinctive two-door look. Since then, this styling cue has endured as well as inspired other manufacturers to follow suit.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 550 4dr Sedan (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$219/mo  for CLS-Class CLS 550

　　CLS-Class CLS 550

　　CLS 550 4dr Sedan (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $75,150 MSRPCLS 550 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $77,650 MSRPAMG CLS 63 S 4dr Sedan AWD (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A) - $108,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS maintains its favorable standing with its potent engine choices, admirable handling, cosseting comfort, impeccable interior and available advanced safety features. Alongside rivals such as the Audi A7 and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, it's a great pick if you like the idea of a sedan that has a coupelike look to it. Just note that a redesigned CLS will be coming out for the 2019 model year. It boasts new styling and Mercedes' latest technology.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Style and luxury remain the defining characteristics of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS. As such, it's a great choice for a coupelike sedan. Just note that a redesigned CLS is coming out for next year.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our evaluation of the 2015 CLS 550 4Matic sedan (twin-turbo 4.7L V8 | 7-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current CLS has received some revisions, including a nine-speed automatic transmission, and additional standard features. Our findings remain applicable to the 2018 CLS.

　　

Driving

　　It's very quick. Although not an out-and-out sporting handler, the CLS 550 is capable enough to make impressive progress on back roads. This car is more of a cruiser, though, and not an AMG model.

　　

Acceleration

　　The turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 delivers a ton of thrust and is very torquey. It doesn't feel turbocharged. Throttle response is slow on tip-in, though Sport mode helps sharpen it up.

　　

Braking

　　Very good modulation and intuitive in routine driving. The pedal is firm even when used aggressively. Powerful, too — 60-0 mph in 102 feet in our testing is a strong showing. This result is aided by the CLS 550's summer tires.

　　

Steering

　　At speed, the helm is pretty sharp, with appropriate quickness and heft. There's not a whole lot of feel. During a three-point turn, the assistance can't keep up, resulting in heavy spots in the steering.

　　

Handling

　　Body control is quite good on winding roads. It doesn't roll as much as expected for a car this hefty (4,367 pounds). Its limits are relatively modest, but the car doesn't exhibit any bad manners.

　　

Drivability

　　It's exceptionally civilized in routine driving. But pick up the pace even a little and there are issues. Throttle response could be sharper coming out of corners. The transmission's manual mode doesn't respond quickly, and then it has labored gear changes.

　　

Comfort

　　The CLS excels on long trips. From its seats and comprehensive noise isolation to its compliant ride quality, this car is the place to be when the open road beckons.

　　

Seat comfort

　　The front seats are big and plush and offer great comfort for long stints in the saddle. Very soft leather. The seat coolers are oddly ineffective.

　　

Ride comfort

　　The ride quality is very good. In the default Comfort mode, the CLS absorbs imperfections gracefully and without introducing unnecessary mush — an example of how to do it right.

　　

Noise & vibration

　　The CLS is a quiet, comfortable car with very little road noise. The engine note is subdued, releasing only a pleasant rumble when you really dip into the throttle. Wind noise has been well-tamped, too. Ideal for long trips.

　　

Interior

　　Beautifully finished and solid-feeling, the cabin feels the pinch of the car's styling. The dramatically sloping roofline compromises entry, hampers visibility, and eats up headroom. Otherwise, there is space aplenty for passengers in front and back.

　　

Ease of use

　　The controls fall readily to hand. The cruise control interface — a simple stalk that is always active — remains outstanding.

　　

Getting in/getting out

　　The sloping roofline hampers the way into and out of the front seat. It's worse for backseat users. The roof drops sharply in the rear, and there are long doors to deal with.

　　

Roominess

　　The front seat offers lots of room to spread out. Front headroom is snug for 6-footers, but there's plenty of legroom and shoulder room. The front seat goes back so far that it may be hard to touch the pedals with your tiptoes. The headroom is tight in the back seat.

　　

Visibility

　　Visibility is good out the front and out the front side glass. The rearward view is heavily blocked by thick rear roof pillars, the sloping roofline and the tall rear deck. Use of the backup camera is a must.

　　

Quality

　　The interior is very nicely built. The controls move with appropriate heft. The leather on doors and elsewhere is padded and very soft and comfortable. A random beeping was encountered twice during a single drive, with no known cause.

　　

Utility

　　Up front are a large console bin, two average cupholders, modest door pockets and storage under driver's seat. Backseat console has two rolltop compartments, a flip-down armrest, small door pockets, plus pockets on seatbacks. The 15.3-cubic-foot trunk is narrower than expected but reasonably sized.

　　

Technology

　　The knob-based multimedia interface can have awkward moments. The display screen is bright and sharp and never washes out.

　　

Which CLS-Class does zzdcar recommend?

　　The CLS 550 is our pick. It's considerably less expensive than the AMG CLS 63 S and still provides an abundance of power from its turbocharged V8. Except for some performance features, the CLS 550 can be outfitted similarly to the top-dog AMG version.

　　

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class models

　　The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS is a four-door, four-passenger sedan, though Mercedes refers to it as a coupe due to its sleekly raked roofline. Three trims are available: the CLS 550, the CLS 550 4Matic and the AMG CLS 63 S.

　　The CLS 550 models are powered by a turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 (402 horsepower, 443 pound-feet of torque). A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels or, in the case of the CLS 550 4Matic, all four wheels.

　　Standard feature highlights for the CLS 550 include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a sunroof, automatic wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, an adaptive air suspension, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable and heated front seats, front-seat memory functions, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel, the COMAND infotainment interface (8-inch screen, knob controller), a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Also standard is forward collision warning with automatic braking,

　　The Premium package adds keyless entry and ignition, adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, power-folding mirrors, a power trunklid, ventilated front seats and a power rear sunshade.

　　Other bundled options include the Lane Tracking package (blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning), the Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, steering assist, additional forward collision mitigation technology, rear-end collision cabin preparation, active blind-spot assist and active lane-keeping assist), and the Parking Assist package (a surround-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and an automated parallel parking system).

　　Notable stand-alone options include an illuminated Mercedes logo in the grille, a heated steering wheel, split-folding rear seats, rear-seat side airbags, a multicontour front seat, and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system.

　　The AMG CLS 63 S receives a turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 (577 hp, 590 lb-ft) that is paired with a performance-focused seven-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

　　In addition to the CLS 550's standard features, the AMG CLS 63 S also gains 19-inch wheels with summer tires, upgraded brakes, a limited-slip differential, a sport exhaust system, unique styling elements, front and rear parking sensors, an automated parallel parking system, upgraded LED headlights, special gauges and interior trim, a sport steering wheel, an IWC Ingenieur analog clock, more aggressively bolstered sport seats, the power rear sunshade and upgraded leather upholstery.

　　Most option packages are available and similar in content to those for the CLS 550. Carbon-ceramic brakes are a stand-alone option.

　　

2018 CLS-Class Highlights

Type: SedanAMG CLS 63 SSedan

　　Trim: CLS 550CLS 550 4MATICAMG CLS 63 SCLS 550

　　

Base MSRP	$75,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$219/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles