Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 CDI BlueEfficiency Sport 4dr Review

For The CLS is a hugely desirable car that offers strong performance, impressive refinement and informative steering. It has the head-turning looks of a coupe, but is surprisingly practical.

Against It’s quite expensive compared with regular executive saloons and the ride is disappointingly firm if you stick with the standard suspension. There's too much road noise as well.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

A super-stylish executive saloon that’s good to drive and capable of whisking four people and their luggage around quickly and quietly.

What Car? readers say

4

Key facts

0–60mph: 6.2 secs
Top speed: 155 mph
Average mpg: 46.3
Tank range: 681 miles

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Features

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Size

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View the whole Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon range

The full Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 CDI BlueEfficiency Sport review

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
V6 diesel delivers awesome pace
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Ride is a bit firm on standard suspension
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Great aside from some wind noise at speed
Buying & Owning
3 out of 5 stars
Disappointing residuals; frugal diesel
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Generally classy and feels well built
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Lots of active and passive safety kit
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Loads of adjustment; confusing controls
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Space for four and their luggage
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Every model comes well equipped

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Every Mercedes CLS blends sleek, coupe-like styling with four-door practicality, but it’s important to spec your car carefully because there are three suspension setups: air suspension; steel springs with adaptive dampers; and a Sport option that uses firmer steel springs and dampers.

We’ve sampled the air and adaptive systems, and there’s no denying the comfort gains the air suspension brings. The steel spring cars are noticeably firmer, but the upside is they’re more agile.

When it cxomes to choosing an engine for your CLS, it’s hard to look past the 2.1-litre diesel (which is rather misleadingly badged 250 CDI). It doesn't sound quite as creamy as the bigger engines, but it gives strong performance and affordable running costs.