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Mercedes-BenzCLS (2011-2018)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£9,924Typical price

Test score

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The original CLS saw Mercedes-Benz setting a trend for coupé-like four-door saloon cars. Since the original was released, rival carmakers have cottoned on to this trend and introduced their own talented four-door coupés. Now Mercedes' latest luxury GT car, the second-generation CLS that was launched in 2011, has got its work cut out. Does it succeed? Find out in our full review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Mercedes-Benz cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Mar 2011First reviewed by Which?
Mar 2011Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£9,924 - £30,294
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	36.4mpg
Length	4,940mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,881mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,080mm
Height	1,416mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Number of seats	4
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.4 m
On sale date	01 March 2011
Lowest pence per mile cost	£17.99

Latest tested engine
Engine name	CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY 7G-Tronic Plus
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	3.5-litre (306hp)
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	59 litres
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	17.99p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£85
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	203
Engine test date	18 February 2011
Test programme	2001-2012

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Mercedes-BenzCLS (2011-2018)

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