2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 Road Test and Review

2019 Mercedes Benz CLS 450 Red Black Front ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

You won’t find the all-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS listed in the "sedans" section of the brand’s website. Although it has four doors, Mercedes calls it a coupe. This bit of marketing mumbo-jumbo began back in 2005, when Mercedes introduced the first-generation CLS. It was one of the most beautiful sedans ever created, and its shape — along with the “four-door coupe” marketing scheme —broke new ground. The success of the CLS quickly started a trend, and today there are a bunch of sleek sedans marketed as coupes.

Built in Germany, the new 2019 CLS remains a sexier, sportier version of the brand’s popular E-Class, sharing its chassis, engine, and other major components with that model. And with a base price right around $70,000, the CLS slots between the E-Class sedan and the larger S-Class in Mercedes' extensive lineup. Its rivals include the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the Audi A7.

Turbo Power Across the Board

Now in its third generation, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is available in three trim levels: the rear-wheel drive CLS 450, the all-wheel drive CLS 450 4Matic, and the more powerful AMG CLS 53. Every 2019 CLS is powered by a very smooth turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, which is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The most popular models are the CLS 450 and the all-wheel drive CLS 450 4Matic, both of which are powered by a 362-horsepower version of the boosted six-cylinder. That’s big power for this class, as both the Audi A7 and the BMW 640i pack less. Prices start at $70,195, including $995 for destination and delivery, for a CLS 450 and $72,695 for a CLS 450 4Matic, like our test vehicle. Standard equipment includes keyless entry, navigation, heated front seats, a sunroof, and LED headlamps. With its long list of options, including an adjustable air suspension, heated rear seats, and an upgraded sound system, our test vehicle cost $94,540.

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Enthusiasts Want the AMG CLS 53

AMG is Mercedes’ in-house hot-rod shop, and it’s been adding sport-tuned suspensions, bigger brakes, and more horsepower to the brand’s mainstream models since the 1970s, creating into some of the fastest cars and SUVs on the road. For the new CLS 53, AMG cranked up the power of the sedan’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder from 362 hp to 429 hp. Although that’s quite strong, it’s less than you get in the V8-powered BMW 650i.

AMG engineers also tweaked the suspension, brakes, and all-wheel drive system to improve the sedan’s handling, and they modified the nine-speed automatic transmission for quicker response. Prices start at $80,895, and Mercedes says this beast can blast to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

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Very Quick and Fun to Drive

This is an engaging and fun car to drive, whether you’re slipping through traffic in the city or attacking your favorite mountain road. But it’s also refined and comfortable, so it’s pleasant to drive every day. With 362 hp, the 2019 CLS 450 packs plenty of punch. Capable of hitting 60 mph in less than five seconds, the CLS has enough thrust to push you back into the seat and keep you there. The engine is smooth and likes to rev to its 6,200-rpm redline, while the nine-speed automatic transmission is well-tuned and responsive.

Mercedes Dynamic Select System allows you to adjust the car’s personality and performance with the flip of a switch. There are four modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, each modifying the sedan’s throttle response, steering effort, and the transmission’s shift points. Sport and Sport+ mode also lower the car an inch, tighten the tuning of its air suspension, and pipe more engine sounds into the cabin. Standard paddle shifters give you manual control over the transmission.

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Impressive Handling

During our days with the 2019 Mercedes CLS450 4Matic test vehicle, we took the car along California’s Route 33, which is one of America’s great driving roads. Even in wet and rainy conditions, the Mercedes impressed on the twisty, turny two-lane with its stable handling, awesome traction, and quick pace. With its 4Matic all-wheel drive system, in combination with its optional high-performance Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires, the CLS was simply glued to the road — even at twice the posted speed limit.

We were equally impressed with the Mercedes’ responsive steering, which is quick and offers plenty of feel, and the stopping power of its massive 14.2-inch disc brakes. Although the CLS weighs over 4,400 lbs, it turns and stops like it weighs half as much.

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One of the Best Interiors in Its Class

The interior of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS packs a big wow factor. Build quality is very high, and the visual impact of the design is worthy of an auto show concept car. With its mix of dynamic design, unusual shapes, and rich materials, it’s simply one of the most beautiful interiors in the class. Control placement is excellent, and the heated and cooled front seats in our test vehicle were extremely comfortable. Its low driving position gives the sedan a racy feel, while its firm, well-bolstered driver’s seat holds you in place.

Our test car was equipped with the optional 12.3-inch instrument cluster, which is configurable and simple to operate. A massive infotainment screen is standard and its graphics are beautiful. Although we would prefer a touch screen, the system is easy to use once you get used to its touchpad interface. The analog clock on the dash is wonderfully old-school.

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It has a small trunk.

Unfortunately, the 2019 Mercedes CLS offers the least amount of trunk space in this class. Its 12 cubic feet of trunk space is even less than you get in the smaller Mercedes C-Class. The BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and Audi A7 offer substantially more cargo space. The good news is every CLS comes standard with a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, which easily drops flat for larger items. There’s also quite of bit of storage space under the trunk floor.

Storage inside the Mercedes’ cabin, however, is sufficient and well thought out. The center console has two large, felt-lined bins, and the sedan’s door pockets are sizable and include slots for water bottles. Unfortunately, the two front-seat cupholders are not huge, and their placement can cause tall drinks to block some of the switchgear on the dashboard.

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Family-Friendly for Four

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS seats five, but not comfortably. Whoever is stuck in the middle will not be happy. The sedan’s low fastback roofline also compromises rear headroom. If you’re taller than 6 feet tall, you won’t fit. If rear seat space is a priority, it’s better to stick with the more passenger-friendly E-Class. Younger families will appreciate the easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and easily accessed upper tether anchors. Unfortunately, the 2019 CLS has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Overall, fuel economy is good for this class. The CLS 450 is the fuel sipper of the model range, rated at 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. With the additional weight of the 4Matic all-wheel drive system, those numbers dip to 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, and I averaged 25 mpg over about 500 miles of mixed driving. The more powerful AMG CLS 53 is rated at 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

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Many Advanced Safety Systems

Every 2019 CLS comes standard with valuable active safety systems, including blind-spot assistance, a rearview camera, and active brake assist, which not only warns if a vehicle is in your path, but will also automatically begin braking for you. If this occurs, another standard system called PreSafe will tighten the front seat belts, adjust the seats, and close the windows and sunroof to better prepare the car and its occupants for an impact. Pre-Safe Sound helps reduce the effects of a collision on occupants' hearing by emitting a special "pink noise" tone from the audio system just before the crash. The tone's frequency induces a natural reflex within the human ear canal that helps shut out loud noises.

Our test vehicle’s optional Driver Assistance Package cost $2,250. It added a long list of additional high-tech safety systems including Active Distance Assist, which helps you park, Active Lane Change Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, and Pre Safe Plus, which prepares the car in the event of a rear-end collision.

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Final Thoughts

With a unique and desirable combination of luxury, performance, and sexy design, the redesigned CLS remains one of the world’s great sedans. Although it’s a bit more expensive than the all-new Audi A7 and it has a much smaller trunk, the CLS performs very well and it’s fun to drive, with impressive all-weather handling, which is the ultimate peace of mind.

As much as we also appreciate the sleek exterior styling of the new CLS, it’s the sedan’s beautifully appointed interior that ignites our senses. It’s extremely comfortable, and everything inside this sedan feels as good as it looks. Our test vehicle’s Natural Grain Grey Ash Wood trim would look great in my kitchen. If you’re looking for a sporty luxury sedan, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is a very desirable overall choice.

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