2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review
Price Range: $31,453 - $38,590





+264
Edmunds' Expert Review

by Calvin Kim
Pros
- Powerful six-cylinder engine delivers decisive acceleration
- Pleasing balance of handling performance and comfort
- Long list of available advanced safety features
- Sleek exterior and impeccable interior
Cons
- Rear headroom is limited by the sloping roofline
- Uses Mercedes' older COMAND infotainment system
What's new
- The CLS is redesigned for 2019
- New styling, engines and interior
- Now seats five passengers instead of four
- Represents the start of the third CLS generation
Depending on your perspective, Mercedes-Benz made the 2019 CLS either a practical coupe or an impractical but stylish sedan. You see, the CLS' sloping roofline puts the squeeze on larger passengers seated in the back, and its trunk volume is nowhere near what the more traditional E-Class sedan offers up. But the CLS' styling is much more aggressive and swoopy. It's all about what you prioritize.
For sale near Bothell, WA
118 listings
- $42,850fair price$611 below market
- 43,812 miles
- No accidents, personal use only
- 21 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- The Autohaus (68 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
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Located in Bellingham, WA
This Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG CLS 53 S is powered by a strong 3.0L Turbo I6 429hp 384ft. lbs. engine and a 9-Speed Shiftable Automatic transmission. Tech...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (21 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDD2J6BBXKA018547
Stock: IAH8079
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-27-2025 - 32,395 miles
- No accidents, corporate fleet vehicle
- 23 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- The Autohaus (68 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Bellingham, WA
This Mercedes-Benz CLS CLS 450 4MATIC is powered by a strong 3.0L Turbo I6 362hp 369ft. lbs. engine and a 9-Speed Shiftable Automatic transmission. Te...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (23 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDD2J5KB7KA028172
Stock: IAH8087
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-10-2025
The 2019 Mercedes CLS, which is fully redesigned, does have some significant changes. A new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine has replaced the previous CLS 550's V8. Used in both the new CLS 450 and AMG CLS 53, the engine also comes with a 48-volt integrated starter-generator system. It's kind of a mild hybrid system that helps with initial acceleration and smooths out the engine stop-start operation.
On the inside, the new CLS features seating for five, whereas the older model only sat four. Due to reduced headroom and a narrow cabin, we don't think the middle passenger will be very comfortable on anything but short trips, but at least the option is there. Technology-wise, the CLS features a large 12.3-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and Mercedes' COMAND navigation and infotainment system. This last bit is an odd move since other new Mercedes models feature the more appealing MBUX system.
From a ride and comfort perspective, the CLS is stiffer and sportier than an E-Class but softer and more comfortable than the AMG GT range of sports cars. Other competitors to the CLS are varied. For starters, you could look at cars such as the Audi A7 and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. And if you want to punch higher in the luxury and performance range, there's the Porsche Panamera and the Audi S7. But for a sedan that looks the part of a coupe, the new CLS is certainly among the best.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Which CLS-Class does Edmunds recommend?
Our pick would be the AMG CLS 53. It features a more powerful engine and comes with a unique interior trim. There's a host of options and packages you can add from there. The Driver Assist package, which throws in all of Mercedes' latest safety systems, is one we'd make sure to get.
Compare 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class models
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is a coupe-styled luxury sedan with seating for five. The CLS 450 and the CLS 450 4Matic utilize the same powertrain and standard features, but they differ in their driven wheels: The 4Matic is all-wheel-drive, while the standard model is rear-drive only. The AMG CLS 53 features all-wheel drive, a more powerful engine and numerous performance features as standard equipment.
The CLS 450 comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine (362 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment highlights include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, and ambient interior lighting.
On the tech front, the CLS comes with a 12.3-inch central display, a navigation system, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
Notable options include a Warmth & Comfort package (rapid front-seat heating, heated front armrests and a heated steering wheel), a Premium package (a 13-speaker Burmester audio system, satellite radio and an inductive smartphone charging system), and an Energizing Comfort package (an in-cabin air purification and fragrance system).
A Parking Assist package adds active assistance that helps drivers find suitable parallel and perpendicular parking spots, a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert. Additionally, you can add a Driver Assistance package, which includes adaptive cruise control with active speed limit assist, active lane centering, evasive steering assist, front and rear automatic braking and collision mitigation, and active blind-spot assist.
Other stand-alone options include a 25-speaker Burmester sound system, multicontour front seats and sound-reducing windows.
The AMG CLS 53 adds a more powerful engine (429 hp, 384 lb-ft). Additionally, the nine-speed transmission features quicker shifting for quicker acceleration while the standard all-wheel-drive system uses a dynamic system to transfer torque between the front and rear axles. An air suspension is standard, and the AMG features its own interior trim, steering wheel and 19-inch wheels. Most of the above options are also available for the CLS 53.

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Washington
$227/mo for CLS-Class CLS 450
CLS-Class CLS 450
vs
$262/mo
Avg. Large Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Average
#25 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$733/yr
vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
Frequency
1.83x/yr
vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
Severity
16.3%
vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
powered by RepairPal
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
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5 out of 5 starsJim Collum, 09/12/2019
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 9A)
Just leased this car after previously leasing a 2016 CLS400. Huge leap ahead. Other than seats that are too aggressively bolstered for a everyday sedan, I love this vehicle. Best parts are an amazing powertrain with effortless and endless power, beautiful interior, great stereo and safety features and a 5th seat. Technology isn’t always intuitive but learning curve isn’t steep. Truck … shrunk a bit as well from the last generation. It may not have a ton of personality as most cars are just snout perfect nowadays but it’s truly a fantastic vehicle I’d recommend to anyone and makes a great family vehicle for my wife, me and our 2 year old.
Love my 2019 CLS 53
5 out of 5 starsBob Friedman, 04/26/2020
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class AMG CLS 53 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric hybrid 9A)
I love love this car and I traded a 2016 Bentley V8s convertible for it. My car is matte selenite grey and one report said it is difficult to care for. I generally wash it my self and it is the easiest car I’ve ever had to keep clean. If the wheels are clean the car alwa6s looks clean no matter how dirty I might be
Cabin noise beyond tolerance
2 out of 5 starsJoseph, 10/30/2019
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class AMG CLS 53 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric hybrid 9A)
Complete disappointment.
2019 CLS-Class Highlights
Sedan
CLS 450
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $69,200 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Mild hybrid |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $227/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the CLS-Class models:
- Active Brake Assist
- Warns if a front collision is imminent and will apply 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
- Transmits important safety vehicle status updates over the air to nearby vehicles, which can then alert their drivers of the situation.
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