2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has been for sale in the USA in its current configuration for five years now, and it's a pleasure to drive thanks to its powerful and refined turbocharged six-cylinder engine that makes 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. However, this sleek four-door coupe is not without its faults, some of which include a laughably small trunk and compromised rear-passenger headroom. But these are problems common among rivals in this segment, like the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and Audi A7. Luckily, this is a segment where looks and performance matter far more than practicality, so the CLS-Class coupe may be a strong enough proposition for most buyers interested in this segment.

The $76,500 starting MSRP of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is its price without the $1,150 destination charge. With all the option boxes ticked, it can cost you over $90k, though.

Despite its svelte and athletic appearance, the 2023 Mercedes CLS-Class is a heavy executive sedan that handles similarly to the E-Class. It is definitely not as sporty as the 8 Series Gran Coupe, but then again, this is not what Mercedes is known for. There is no denying that the CLS is a luxury cruiser that offers a smoother ride than any of its competitors. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps in the road while still ensuring the car maintains its poise when tackling corners. But, if you want to draw the most out of the driving experience, you can switch from Comfort mode to Sport or Sport+. This tightens up the chassis a little and adds some heft to the otherwise light and accurate steering wheel, but it won't give you the same feeling as the AMG variant. The coupe definitely feels more at home in Comfort mode, effortless cruising down the highway.

To round out this review of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class review, we have to say that it is a gorgeous and potent coupe that does a very good of doing what it aims to do, which is to deliver a quick and effortless driving experience that doesn't compromise on comfort and luxury. Sure, it has some flaws, like poor practicality and perhaps not the most engaging handling dynamics, but these don't detract enough from the overall product to hurt it. Still, we wouldn't recommend trying to pack four people into the tight cabin for longer trips, especially if you want to haul their luggage around too. But, if it's just two of you jaunting around town or down the coast, you'll find nothing to complain about. The superior mileage figures of the turbocharged inline six definitely help in this regard, and the standard all-wheel drive means that you don't have to avoid areas prone to poor weather. A lot of nice tech comes standard, too, but you do have to pay extra for some things that we feel should be included. Nevertheless, we feel confident recommending the CLS-Class to anyone who can afford it.

There is only a single trim in the 2023 CLS-Class range, but you can customize it in a number of ways. If the already sleek and sexy styling of the coupe is not enough to rouse your passions, then the AMG Line with Night package is a reasonably priced addition that adds AMG-specific wheels, more aggressive gloss black exterior accents, updated interior styling, and a new steering wheel. The rear trunk-lid spoiler also adds a little extra to the profile. If you're more concerned with what goes into your car, then the Warmth & Comfort package is a nice addition with rapid-heating front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium package is a pricey box to tick but it does upgrade the sound system and add some missing driver-assistance features, so we think it is one of the more value-adding options.