Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

The Mercedes CLS is a gussied-up E-class that manages to be much more than the sum of its parts. The CLS looks like a coupe, goes like a coupe, but retains four doors and nearly all of the practicality. Puts a little sex-appeal back into the Merc range without ending up at the door of the SLR.

• Comfort

  A touch firm if you're old, but for most rational humans the CLS feels pretty much spot-on. There's a decent chunk of cruising ability woven into the mix and apart from a bit of tyre roar if you have big wheels, little intrusion. Strangely the standard coil springs are more comfortable than the higher-spec and AMG models and their air-suspension.

  

• Performance

  None of the CLS's are slowcoaches, but there's varying degrees of fastness in the range, even if they are all autos. The 3.0-litre diesel V6 in the 320 CDi is the most rational choice for head-over-heart purchase - it's smooth and torquey. The petrol motors come in three sizes; a 3.5-litre V6 and a pair of V8s in five-litre and 6.3 AMG flavours. The CLS 500 hits 100km/h in 5.4 and the CLS 63 eats Porsches for breakfast with 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.

  

• Cool

  Very cool. Even when you know what it really is.

  

• Quality

  Extremely well put together and containing some great materials and design. Proven and solid drivetrains and engines - this is a car that'll uphold Merc's reputation.

  

• Handling

  Lower and re-jigged for a more sporting drive than the E-class, the CLS is one of the best ways to get a bit of Mercedes driver satisfaction. Well damped, well sprung, accurate steering -hard to imagine that the car it's derived from can feel a bit stodgy at times.

  

• Practicality

  The coupe-like shape means that rear seat passengers inevitably have less space than in the equivalent E-class, but it's pretty big in there. Trouble is the doors are quite small and the sills high - so there are some access issues. The boot's big and useful at 505 litres.

  

• Running costs

  The big V8s will eat you alive with shocking fuel economy and rocket insurance. The 3.5 returns 11L/100km while the AMG kicks it up to 14.5L/100km.