2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sedan

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　"Form follows function" is generally a good philosophy to adhere to when designing a car, but a little bit of "form over function" can work too if the impact on usability is minimal and the aesthetic payoff is big. The Mercedes-Benz CLS pulls that off expertly, striking a careful balance between sleek good looks and luxury sedan practicality.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$185/mo  for CLS-Class CLS 450 4MATIC

　　CLS-Class CLS 450 4MATIC

　　CLS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $76,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　Based on the midsize E-Class sedan, the CLS gets a more stylish exterior treatment that's highlighted by a raked roofline. This gives it a coupe-like profile, though it does come at the expense of rear headroom and overall seat space. To help compensate, the CLS features a distinctive and more luxurious interior than the E-Class. The trade-off here, of course, is a higher starting price.

　　The CLS remains a fine choice among coupe-style luxury sedans, but the model has stagnated a bit. For 2023, the only change is the addition of premium metallic paint colors as no-cost options. The Mercedes' competitors, including the Audi A7, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and Porsche Panamera, offer similar good looks and luxurious amenities. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to see how the CLS stacks up against its rivals.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the CLS-Class drive? The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a well-rounded luxury sport sedan that stands out both for its acceleration and its extreme refinement. There are no flat spots in the turbocharged inline-six engine's power delivery. We tested the CLS 450 4Matic, which is now the only CLS variant available, and recorded a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, or just 0.3 second slower than the discontinued AMG CLS 53 we tested previously.

　　The CLS 450's handling is capable and secure, but there's big-time body roll during hard cornering. Will many CLS buyers take corners like that? Probably not, but it makes the CLS feel less sporty than it could be. If you're looking for a four-door sports car, the CLS 450 tilts too much to be a contender.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the CLS-Class? The CLS is extremely comfortable on long drives thanks to minimal noise, outstanding seat comfort and an excellent climate control system. The engine is impeccably smooth too. The front seats' combination of supple leather and firm padding provides great long-distance support and comfort.

　　At highway speeds, the CLS provides exceptional isolation from the elements. There's little engine noise aside from a muted growl during hard acceleration. Engine vibration is nearly nonexistent. The adaptive suspension skillfully smothers moderate irregularities in most cases, but it isn't able to deal with broken pavement quite as well, delivering a ride that's surprisingly a bit jarring.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below