Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Our verdict

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 62mph in 5.4 and the CLS 63 eats Porsches for breakfast with 0-62mph 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 505litres.

Running costs

The big V8s will eat you alive with teenage fuel economy and rocket insurance, and all engines are considered a touch unclean so get hit for max tax and liability. The diesel's obviously best at 202g/km and 28percent (the only one that isn't top-whack 35percent), but that's still group 18 insurance and £44k off the forecourt. Residuals are granite - people love these things.