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.

Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon

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.

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There are 9 Mercedes-Benz CLS versions available

Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 250 CDI BlueEfficiency 4dr £46,860
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Sport 4dr £49,855
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 BlueEfficiency 4dr £50,500
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 CDI BlueEfficiency 4dr £50,500
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 BlueEfficiency Sport 4dr £53,495
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 CDI BlueEfficiency Sport 4dr £53,495
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 500 BlueEfficiency Sport 4dr £62,320
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 63 AMG 4dr £81,145
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 63 AMG (Performance Pack) 4dr £87,140
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
CLS Our pick

Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon 350 CDI BlueEfficiency 4dr

The CLS has massive appeal but, unless you simply have to have a petrol engine, you’re much better off with this 350 CDI.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Every 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.