2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
MSRP range: $76,500 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
8.1/10
Edmunds Rating
It's an SUV world and the Mercedes-Benz CLS just lives in it, but to drive one is to remember just how satisfying a luxury sedan can be. Low to the ground with a soothing presence, the striking CLS loves the open road and cossets its lucky occupants in an opulent, quiet cabin. Is it special enough compared to its cheaper and roomier E-Class sibling? That may be the primary question.
2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review
byAlex Nishimoto
Correspondent
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.
Pros
- Powerful engine delivers decisive acceleration
- Pleasing balance of handling performance and comfort
- Long list of available advanced driver assist features
- Sleek exterior and impeccable interior
Cons
- Interior and trunk space are compromised by styling
- More expensive than the related E-Class sedan
What's new
- Metallic paints are now a no-cost option
- Part of the third CLS generation introduced for 2019
"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 $3.96 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$193/mo
CLS-Class CLS 450 4MATIC
vs
$209/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.
Edmunds Expert Rating
great
8.1/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds 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.
It's an SUV world and the Mercedes-Benz CLS just lives in it, but to drive one is to remember just how satisfying a luxury sedan can be. Low to the ground with a soothing presence, the striking CLS loves the open road and cossets its lucky occupants in an opulent, quiet cabin. Is it special enough compared to its cheaper and roomier E-Class sibling? That may be the primary question.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Which CLS-Class does Edmunds recommend?
Only one trim level of the Mercedes CLS remains: The CLS 450 4Matic. It comes with a long list of useful standard features, but for the best experience we recommend adding the Driver Assistance package, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and more. If you live in a colder climate, the Warmth and Comfort package is a great choice as it adds rapid heating capability for the front seats, a heated armrest and a heated steering wheel.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class models
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS is a four-door sedan with a coupe-like roofline and seating for five. It has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (362 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. It's only available in a single CLS 450 4Matic trim. Standard feature highlights include:
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $77,650
- MPG & Fuel
- 22 City / 30 Hwy / 25 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: 9-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 6 cylinder
- Horsepower: 362 hp @ 5,500 rpm
- Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
- Dimensions
- Length: 198.8 in. / Height: 56.6 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 81.5 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.8 in.
- Curb Weight: 4,255 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 11.9 cu.ft.
Compare the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Compare selected vehiclesCompare Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class to any vehicle See full list of Midsize luxury sedans rankings
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs. Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
If you want high-performance thrills to go along with your coupe-style Mercedes sedan, you need to step up to the AMG GT. Also based on the E-Class, the AMG GT features exterior styling inspired by the discontinued AMG GT sports car. The base AMG GT 43 has the same drivetrain as the CLS, though more extreme flavors are available in the AMG GT 53 and 63. It's slightly sportier to drive in base form but gets worse fuel economy and delivers a harsher ride. It's also more expensive with a starting price roughly $20,000 more than the CLS.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs. Audi A7
Like the CLS, the A7 boasts an eye-catching exterior and a luxurious, tech-rich interior. The A7 is a bit more engaging to drive, though its steering can feel artificial at times. Though both cars have sloping rooflines, the A7 gets a slightly more spacious rear seat with about an inch of extra headroom. Because the A7 has a hatch instead of a trunk, it also benefits from more cargo volume (24.9 cubic feet compared to just 11.9 for the CLS).
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs. BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
The 8 Series Gran Coupe more directly competes with the AMG GT, but it's close in size to the CLS and offers a similarly sleek exterior design. The base 8 Series Gran Coupe is powered by a turbocharged inline-six and comes standard in rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available. It goes around corners better than the CLS and has less body roll. But just as with the AMG GT, that sportiness comes at a hefty premium. The 8 Series Gran Coupe starts nearly $14,000 more than the CLS.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite CLS-Class safety features:
- Active Brake Assist
- Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and beeps if you signal in that direction. It also steers you away if you drift toward it.
- Car-to-X communication
- Automatically transmits and receives safety updates to and from other appropriately equipped vehicles, then alerts drivers about hazards they can't yet see.
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FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 CLS-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the CLS-Class has 11.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class:
- Metallic paints are now a no-cost option
- Part of the third CLS generation introduced for 2019
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reliable?
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the CLS-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the CLS-Class's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 CLS-Class and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 CLS-Class is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The least-expensive 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $76,500.
Other versions include:
- CLS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $76,500
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the next question is, which CLS-Class model is right for you? CLS-Class variants include CLS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). For a full list of CLS-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more