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2018 Mercedes CLS 450 Review

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With keys to Mercedes’s all-new style-centric 2018 Mercedes CLS 450, we eagerly hop onboard for a tester.

What’s the Mercedes CLS450 4MATIC about?

Say, you’d love a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, nevertheless, you reckon it’s a tad too dull for your dime. While Mercedes does make a coupe variant of the E-Class, it heavily compromises any hint of practicality in the pursuit for the sleek looks. But imagine if there’s a middle ground?

Eminently, we’re not the only ones to ponder that. Mercedes-Benz itself has actually developed a model for all those that want a little bit of flair without forfeiting the practicality of a 4-door. Cue the 2019 CLS-Class, all of the style without losing the substance.

Certainly, if you’re someone who’s intrigued at the idea of a CLS, looks certainly are a major factor for you personally. And it sure evokes the looks of an AMG GT 4. Brutish and abrupt fascia paired with sleek, suave lines and a steep raking roofline means a muscular and bold stance. This is a good looker.

Oour test car the CLS 450 4MATIC AMG Line does look quite spectacular using its coupe-esque bodyline, particularly when complemented with the 19″ AMG 5-twin spoke alloys. Painted in a monochromatic metallic ‘Obsidian Black’ hue, this CLS 450 looks the part parked in the business park.

The CLS 450 is truly a new specification with a totally new powertrain within the bonnet. Powered by a fresh 3.0-litre biturbo mild hybrid inline-6 engine and supplemented by Mercedes-Benz’s new EQ boost outputs 367 horsepower and an impressive 750 Nm of torque.

To provide that grunt, the mild hybrid engine is mated to Mercedes’s 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission that distributes the energy to all or any four wheels, as the 4MATIC designation indicates, which can be standard on all CLS variants.

With that, this impressive drivetrain will propel the CLS 450 4MATIC AMG Line from 0-62 mph in only 4.8 seconds, onto a high speed of 155 mph, A particularly remarkable feat, considering that it isn’t even an AMG model.

And what’s better still is that because of the complete mild hybrid technology, this engine is specially efficient. Being rated at 36.2 mpg while achieving 184 g/km of CO2.

Of course, being truly a Mercedes, the CLS-Class includes a whole host of engines available. The most exuberant offering being the only other petrol engine you can choose – the CLS 53 AMG. While it’s powered by the same powertrain, in its AMG configuration, the inline-6 outputs 429 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque.

How does it drive?

Although it’s nearly as an AMG product, the mild hybrid inline-6 engine is exceptional. It’s a turbocharged inline-6 petrol which has seemingly zero delay. Of course, the addition of a low-end grunt adder isn’t a fresh concept, as Volvo did so for years, but Mercedes’s 48V ‘eZV’ auxiliary electric compressor is nearly mystical.

The on-tap torque is sensational, imbuing the CLS 450 4MATIC a relentless demeanour, always raring to go at a moment’s notice. Sometimes it’s almost surreal for an automobile that’s not purely electric-powered. It’s simply brilliant, always raring to propel into action.

While it’s nearly sensational in outright pace, the immediacy can be an intoxicating trait. Having said that, the engine remains astoundingly smooth and well composed even under acceleration. Emanating an intricate and graceful yet sophisticated and bassy inline-6 crescendo, you’ll end up pushing the car because of its exhaust note.

The transmission definitely indicates the luxury-oriented nature of the CLS 450. It’s smooth and largely frivolous using its shifts, which would work for long-distance cruising.

Being truly a luxury four-door saloon with four-wheel drive, the CLS 450 4MATIC does have problems with a significant issue – weight. At nearly 1.9-tonnes, it’s a deceptively portly saloon.

Of course, there are driving modes available. That said, I did so find the necessity for the right medium between ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sport’. In Comfort, the automobile felt a tad too leisurely with noticeable body roll that can’t match the engine. While in Sport, it becomes sharp, more suitable for a spirited drive.

That said, in the event that you don’t sweat the facts too much, it’s a significant relaxing car to just retain in Comfort and drive in. It’s an amenable car to operate a vehicle around anywhere.

So when you’re feeling zesty, putting the CLS 450 4MATIC into Sports mode does hone its edge, demonstrating its notable cornering prowess that’s supported by its limitless traction endowed by the 4MATIC system.

However, if you want the unadulterated cruising aptitude of the CLS 450, it’s simply sensational. It thrives at travelling a large number of miles without you breaking a sweat using its absolutely muted engine and cabin. Albeit there’s a hint of tyre roar and wind rush, its touring quality isn’t to be undermined.

What is it truly like inside?

Similarly, if there’s a very important factor contemporary Mercedes-Benz vehicles master, its the inside. It’s quite staggering how within a generation did Mercedes revolution so much.

Our loaner CLS 450 4MATIC is upholstered in black leather, a choice that’s undoubtedly timeless and can remain to look good even decades forward, if not really a tad monochromatic for a supposedly style-centric saloon. The seats are comfortable and quite plush, with electric adjustability.

Of course, to include the premium quality of the inside, the dashboard features grey open-pore ash wood trim. It really looks plenty attractive. In conjunction with an uncluttered centre console and gracefully flowing dashboard that segregates leading seats into two cockpits, the CLS 450 definitely feels the part to sit in.

In the event that you truly plan to push for the Mercedes-feel, forking out the £3,500 for the Premium Plus package will be worth the amount of money. It offers a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system, 360-degree camera, electric sunroof and the 12.3″ COMAND Online infotainment system, that is a joy to use.

As the front remains pragmatic, with plenty of seating space and generous small item storage with charging ports and wireless charging, the trunk is less so. As a result of gradual but significant rake of the roof line, while legroom remains adequate the headroom is slightly more limited but nonetheless good.

Thankfully, the boot space remains ample, although with hook lip. The boot is deep and cavernous at 520-litres. If you want more, the trunk seats do fold in a 40/40/20 fashion. Intriguingly, you’ll find Mercedes’s folding shopping basket below the false floor.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Driving the CLS 450 4MATIC was quite the eye-opening experience, mainly because of the mild hybrid inline-6. It’s properly rapid once you require it, and it gets the appropriate poise to deftly manoeuvre through corners, while at exactly the same time having the capacity to just relax and devour miles in the event you require it to.

Even though doing that, the CLS 450 can look properly gallant using its slick coupe-esque saloon design. It’s at least a thing that can be thought to be truly different from typical.

Price of the CLS 450 4MATIC

Surprisingly, for as much car as the CLS 450 4MATIC, it’s quite affordable at £57,640. Nearly affordable, however, not extortionate either. The gear level is great, with only an individual trim available which may be the AMG Line. You’ll be spending £64,260 for just one like ours, with the Premium Plus, Driving Assistance Package, AMG Line and the M256 inline-6 engine.

Verdict

Exactly like any other modern Mercedes-Benz, the CLS 450 4MATIC is an extremely nice car to operate a vehicle around in, offering essentially all you can require in a 4-door saloon bar too little rear headroom. The question though really is based on whether if the CLS’s styling will do of a determiner for you personally.

Otherwise, the standard E-Class might already be all of the car anyone affluent may need. Having said that, you’ll be challenged to end up going wrong with an automobile like our CLS 450 4MATIC. It’s an excellent car, and it deserves the praise.

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4MATIC Specs