2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS
Based on analysis of 45 CLS reviews and test drives.
Mercedes-Benz CLS - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS ranks 5 out of 5 Super Luxury Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a sleekly styled large four-door sedan, considered by its designers to be a "four door coupe." It offers a luxurious cabin and a completely unique profile. Its unusual styling limits its usability, however -- the back seat of the CLS is no place for adults, and the trunk offers less usable space than most of its peers.
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS is a unique car that defies easy categorization. Mercedes calls it a "four door coupe," intended to offer the sporty feel of a coupe combined with the utility and comfort of a large luxury sedan. The automotive press generally finds that it offers some of both, but all of neither. The CLS is for those who almost need a sedan, but can compromise some room in exchange for a car that raises their pulse. Automobile Magazine sums it up, "If you wanted practicality or rear-seat room or a deep trunk in your Benz, you'd buy an E-class. The CLS isn't about sensible. It's about sensual. It's about emotional."
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is available in two trims: the standard CLS550, or the high-performance AMG CLS63. The CLS550 is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 delivering 382 horsepower. The CLS63, a 6.3-liter V8 making 507 horsepower. Because of its unusual market niche, the CLS doesn't have any natural predators. If you're sold on Mercedes but need a functional backseat, its S Class cousin may be a more practical alternative. The Audi A8 can outperform the CLS in many ways, as can the BMW 7-Series. But if you're just attracted to the CLS' unusual looks, there really isn't an alternative, and though it is ranked low in its class, it sits in a class where even the lowest-ranked cars are among the world's finest.
- "[The CLS is] about the kind of good looks that make you feel like a junior-high kid all over again, sweating and stammering in the presence of true beauty. We'll take two." -- Car and Driver
- "Buy this vehicle if You're considering a Mercedes-Benz E-Class but want added style and exclusivity and are willing to pay a considerable premium for it; you need seating for four; fuel economy isn't a concern." -- Forbes
- "Mercedes is striving to shed some of its stodge with the introduction of a high-end cruiser that marries the convenience of a sedan with the panache of a coupe." -- Automobile Magazine
- "This new Benz is a serious piece of couture. Trendy, even. A stoic and sensible E-Class chassis stepping out in the vehicular equivalent of Versace hip boots. You can't not look at it." -- Motor Trend
- "Judging the CLS500 based solely on the need for a roomy 4-door doesn't make sense. Wanting a pure performance coupe? It still won't satisfy. Admittedly, this new Mercedes isn't for everyone. But the CLS appeals to the dare-to-be-different individual who takes pride in shaking up the norm a bit. And that's a good thing." -- Road and Track
CLS Performance - 8.6 (Very Good)
The 2008 CLS offers a composed ride and ample power. Car and Driver calls the V8 of the CLS500 "a full-fledged bombshell sent from heaven on a pillow made of pure awesome," and the larger version built into the CLS63 outperforms that one in every way. The car is tuned with a firm air suspension, which electronically re-tunes to accommodate different driving styles and keep the car stable in varied conditions. Continue with our full Performance Review to read about the one performance feature reviews consistently find problems with -- the brakes. continue
CLS Exterior - 8.9 (Very Good)
The Mercedes-Benz CLS occupies its unique niche in the market because of its swooping sheetmetal. All of the car's practical compromises are justified, in the eyes of those who love it, by its profile. Car and Driver gushes, "We feel all of 13 because we just got finished driving the Mercedes-Benz CLS550, and it just sort of does that to you. Jittery nerves, sweaty palms, dry mouth -- we're in love with that sultry sheetmetal, those curvy flanks, that rakish rear end. Smitten, we tell you." See the look in our Mercedes-Benz CLS Photo Gallery, or continue with our full Exterior Review to read what the critics have to say. continue
CLS Interior - 7.1 (Good)
The passenger cabin of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS is luxurious, technologically advanced and spacious -- for front seat passengers. Rear seat passengers, however, will find the accommodations tight. Entry and exit to those back seats is easier than in most coupes, since they have their own doors, but not as convenient as in most sedans, since those doors slope drastically in service of the car's sweeping greenhouse. See the cabin in detail in our Mercedes-Benz CLS Photo Gallery, or continue with our full Interior Review to read about Mercedes' COMAND driver interface, which many reviewers say succeeds where BMW's iDrive fails. continue
CLS Safety - NA
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS has not been crash tested in the U.S. The car comes equipped with 11 air bags, and an Electronic Stability Program to assist the driver in emergency maneuvers. Read our full Safety Review for details on how it works. continue
CLS Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mercedes provides new vehicle limited warranty covered for 48 months or 50,000 miles on CLS-Class cars. Continue with our full Reliability Review for details. continue
