2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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CLS550 Sedan
- MAX MPG
  21
- SEATS
  4
- HP/TORQUE
  382/391
- ENGINE
  5.5L V8
- MSRP
  $74,000
CLS63 AMG Sedan
- MAX MPG
  18
- SEATS
  4
- HP/TORQUE
  507/465
- ENGINE
  6.2L V8
- MSRP
  $99,050

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Review

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review

Beautiful package & power but backseat compromises comfort

Reviewed by Automotive on 12/22/2010

In a Nutshell

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a four-passenger luxury sedan that the carmaker has suggested is really a four-door coupe. Sporting either a 6.2-liter V-8 AMG, 507 horsepower engine or a 5.5-viter V-8, 382 horsepower engine joined to a seven-speed automatic transmission, the CLS-Class affords plenty of power train. The CLS63, on the other hand, offers AMG Speedshift Plus.

While visually appealing, the Mercedes CLS has a lowered roof, which compromises cabin space, giving it more of a 2+2 seating configuration. Boasting great power and easy of handling, the CLS-Class is a pleasure to drive, and it has all of the great safety features Mercedes is known for. EPA fuel economy rating is in 14 mpg city / 21 mpg highway range.

New for 2011

For 2011, the Mercedes CLS-Class is essentially unchanged. The only real change for 2011 is that the CLS550 now comes sport styling, 18-inch AMG wheels, performance summer tires, and paddle shifters as standard instead of optional.

Essentials

Engines: 5.5L V-8, 6.2L V-8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Body Style: Sedan
Trims: CLS550 Sedan, CLS63 AMG Sedan

On the Outside

The four-door, coupe-like design of the Mercedes CLS-Class has had a major impact on car design that many have copied. It's elegant but some find the roof too low for comfort.

From the Inside

Inside the Mercedes CLS, luxurious creature comforts abound, such as wood and leather trimmings, four-zone automatic climate control, surround sound, and 10-way power front seats. The cabin is plush, but the rear seats are better for small passengers.

Driving Performance

The Mercedes CLS-Class chassis is solid but biased toward comfort rather than performance. However, the Airmatic suspension does a great job of reducing body roll in when driven in sport mode. Acceleration is awesome, and the seven-speed transmission always seems to be in the right gear.

Safety Equipment

Standard safety features on the Mercedes CLS include dual front airbags, front/rear side and window airbags, and driver knee airbag, stability control, traction control, four-wheel discs with ABS and brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Gas Mileage

CLS550: 14 mpg city/21 mpg highway
CL63 AMG: 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway

Plusses

Classic design
Excellent performance
Smooth, nimble transmission
Luxuriously appointed cabin

Minuses

Compromised rear-seat headroom
Illogical inner space design
Price tag

Rating

Beautiful package & power but backseat compromises comfort

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