2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Overview

When parked, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class has the presence of an alluring art piece sitting on full display in a gallery. It’s a curated collection of curves and corners that inspires the eyes to linger on its elegant shape and and drink in its attractive detailing. Hop into the driver’s seat, though, and you’ll find that the chic four-door sedan is more than just eye candy. Inside the cabin, occupants are greeted with lavish luxury in the form of quality materials, tight fit-and- finish, and a dazzling dashboard display. The mechanics of this Mercedes are all E-class sedan underneath, and the pieces are tuned for supple ride comfort rather than curve-eating aggression. The standard, electrically-enhanced inline-six cylinder is velvet personified. This is not a car for people who are enamored by pistons or sway bars or chunky brake calipers; it’s for folks who want to soak in the delights afforded by components engineered to transport them in silk-smooth style.

What’s New for 2023?

Following a mild refresh for the 2022 model year, the CLS goes mostly unchanged for 2023. The sole alteration is a revision to the exterior color pallet as non-Manufaktur metallic paint options are now included in the base price.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

In 2022, Mercedes-Benz cut the CLS-class down to a single trim level: the CLS450 4Matic. Under its hood sits a mild-hybrid powertrain built around a turbocharged in-line six and an integrated starter-generator housed between the engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard content includes AMG exterior trim–which used to be an additional charge–a configurable 64-color LED ambient lighting display, leather upholstery with wood trim, blind-spot monitoring, and 19-inch wheels. While the CLS450 offers plenty of features in standard form, we would be tempted to spring for the Night Package and the Premium Package. The former offers black exterior accenting versus chrome plus a flat-bottom steering wheel. The latter includes a Burmester Surround Sound system, a 360-degree camera, the automaker’s active park-assist system, and 6 months of Sirius XM. Ticking the box for the available air suspension system will deliver an extra dose of ride suppleness.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The CLS450 come with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with a 48-volt hybrid-assist system called EQ Boost. The setup is smoother than Haagen-Dasz and delivers 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant got the CLS450 to 60 mph in a crisp 4.6 seconds and executed the run from 50 to 70 mph in 3.8 ticks. Both numbers are nearly identical to the 335-hp Audi A7. A nine-speed automatic transmission handles gearchanges for the Benz. Five driving modes are standard—Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual—and this allows you to customize the car’s performance to suit your preferences. With the CLS450, the feel from behind the wheel is smooth and calm, never frenetic.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA fuel economy rating for the Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4Matic was 22 city and 30 highway for the 2022 model year, and we expect it to remain the same for 2023. To get an idea of its real-world mpg, we drove a CLS450 4Matic on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. This exercise revealed an impressive 36 mpg on the highway, which also matched the result of an Audi A7 we tested. For more information about the CLS450’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The polished planes and sloping lines of the CLS-class’s exterior are reflected in its cabin design. The dash encircles front-seat passengers with a graceful swirl, and a quartet of circular air vents dominate the center stack. With its nappa leather upholstery, the overall look of the cabin is premium and undeniably glamorous. There’s seating for five, but the car’s swooping roofline takes a toll on headroom for those perched in the back. The CLS-class provides 35 inches of rear-seat legroom. That’s two inches less than you’ll get with the A7. Despite this Benz’s sizable footprint, there’s not a whole lot of room in the trunk, either. Cargo capacity measures in at a paltry 12 cubic feet, which is enough for just five carry-on suitcases. In comparison, the A7 serves up 25 cubic feet of space that swallowed seven carry-ons.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The CLS450’s 12.3-inch infotainment display shares a giant glass panel on the dashboard with the sedan’s 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Among the standard connectivity features are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Along with a touchpad controller mounted on the center console, Mercedes’ MBUX operating system includes robust voice-recognition software. The list of optional equipment includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Mercedes sedan comes with a plethora of driver-assistance technology, including standard blind-spot monitoring and For more information about the CLS450’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Warranty coverage provided by the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class is competitive with that offered by many segment rivals. However, know that the Genesis G90 offers longer coverage.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications:

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4Matic

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

ESTIMATED PRICE AS TESTED: $99,000 (estimated base price: $74,000)

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 362 hp, 369 lb-ft + AC motor, 21 hp, 184 lb-ft (combined system, 362 hp, 369 lb-ft; 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery)

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS:
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 14.2-in vented, cross-drilled disc/14.2-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 RunOnFlat, F: 245/40R-19 98Y MOE ★ R: 275/35R-19 100Y MOE ★

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 115.7 in
Length: 196.4 in
Width: 74.4 in Height: 55.3 in
Passenger volume: 93 cu ft
Trunk volume: 12 cu ft
Curb weight: 4405 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.5 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 17.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.2 sec @ 107 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 129 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.93 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY:
Observed: 21 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
Combined/city/highway (C/D est): 25/22/29 mpg

More Features and Specs