Mercedes-Benz CLS 400 4MaticNeil Vorano/The Globe and Mail
Whether someone prefers the Mercedes-Benz CLS 400 4Matic over its stablemate and the car it's based on, the E-Class, can be quite revealing about a person's personality and thinking. Those in the E-Class camp will be more than happy to pay less money for a car that's basically the same, only with more interior and cargo room; those are the left-brain people, the ones who think more pragmatically and, generally, are better at math.
But there are most definitely those for whom the CLS appeals; the added cost – up to around $6,000 for comparatively equipped models – less headroom and the fact it seats four instead of five just doesn't offset their desire; those are the right-brain people, the ones who are more easily swayed by aesthetics, design and beauty.
It's for those people that Mercedes-Benz first developed the CLS back in 2005 as the first four-door coupe (it's not even worth arguing the fact a coupe has just two doors any more, as Mercedes is well past caring about semantics). It's proven to be very creative thinking itself on Mercedes' part; take the mid-sized E-Class but drape a swoopy, sexy body over the chassis and, voila: another segment.
This is the second generation of the car that was further refreshed for this model year, and, yes, it is sexy. The sloping roofline does impede on rear passenger's headroom, sure, but it gives the CLS that sports-car look Mercedes – and right-brain thinkers – were looking for. For this year, the front and rear were reworked with startling effect; especially compared with the E-Class, the headlights are more jewelled with multiple LED lights and the grille has a mesmerizing, floating bead design that looks much more luxurious. The E-Class is a good-looking car, but it's hard to argue that it fades into the background when parked beside the CLS 400.
It's proven so popular that the other German auto makers couldn't help but get into the mix, with BMW and Audi releasing their own swoopy four-door coupes. The CLS 400 proves that, for some people, giving up a little practicality for a lot of style is just a no-brainer.
You'll like this car if ... The right side of your brain also appreciates leading-edge technology.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $75,900, as tested: $86,050
- Engine: 3.5-litre biturbo V-6
- Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
- Fuel economy (litres/100km): 12.1/city; 8.5/highway, premium gas
- Alternatives: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, Infiniti Q70, Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic
RATINGS
- Looks: This car oozes sport-luxury from any angle; everything adds up to a much more aggressive look over the E-Class. The neon tail lights and the front, jewelled headlamps are sharp, look very expensive and stand out from other cars on the road. And enough can’t be said about that new grille.
- Interior: It feels as if it’s an almost-$90,000 car inside; the leather is supple and abundant, the metal buttons feel solid, the dark ash wood trim at least looks real and the seats coddle the passengers. The steering wheel feels sporty, and the iPad-like infotainment screen perched atop the dashboard is at a perfect sightline for the driver.
- Performance: On the highway, the 329-horsepower V-6 never wants for power and it cruises effortlessly. But in town, you just can’t find a happy medium with the driver settings; in Economy mode, acceleration is sluggish off the line, while in Sport mode, the car feels choppy with the more aggressive transmission setting. But the steering is perfectly weighted, handling is sharp and the drilled-rotor disc brakes are powerful yet easy to modulate.
- Tech: With the optional Intelligent, Sport and Premium packages, this car is packed with technology. The multiple LEDs in the headlamps can separately dim with oncoming traffic, thanks to cameras located in the windshield, giving a perfect pattern of light. Those same cameras help the Pre-Safe automatic emergency braking, while the adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist mean it can almost run autonomously in traffic
- Cargo: The CLS drops to 520 litres of trunk space compared with the 540 litres of the E-Class. Inside, however, there is a deep centre console box, door cubbyholes and clever little boxes under the front seats for your wallet or keys.
The Verdict
8.0
While it started the whole segment, the CLS is not a clear winner compared with the cadre of stylish four-door coupes out there. But it certainly holds its own and it does have enough flair, luxury and performance to appeal to those who want a more sporty look to their premium sedans.
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