Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: £45,950 to £74,555
Svelte looks, refined diesel, comfortable ride, quiet.
Four seats only, compromised rear headroom.
Classy, comfortable and stylish, the CLS is a wonderfully refined cruiser with enough grunt to keep a smile on your face.
There are plenty of revisions inside the refreshed CLS, including a three-spoke leather steering wheel with multi-function buttons and a new-look instrument cluster.
Leather seats are standard and new-generation CLS models get a new infotainment system that includes speed-sensitive volume control. The new system has the 'media interface' set-up, which sounds very fancy, but which essentially means you can control your iPod from the steering wheel while offering the same functionality as the iPod itself. There's also fully-integrated Bluetooth and, if you go for the all-singing, all-dancing Comand package (£1,995), you get voice-controlled sat nav. The Comand package also included a 4GB music register SD memory and an integrated CD/DVD changer.
The rest is still the same - it's based on the E-Class platform but 41mm lower and 90mm longer. That gives it those long and low coupe-like dimensions, but plainly poses a challenge for interior space, especially as none of that extra length is in the wheelbase. Sit two six-foot-plus blokes one behind the other and the one in the rear will find the headroom less than adequate.
The taller gentleman will also find that the very shallow side glass makes the cabin feel a bit claustrophobic, especially with dark upholstery. That low roof also makes climbing in and out slightly awkward. The CLS is strictly a four-seater, with the two seats to the rear separated by a solid console on all models and no five-seat option.
The environment for the driver is first rate. If you want to, you can sit unusually low, which gives quite a sporting feel. The boot, at 505 litres, is also a decent size: smaller than that of an E-Class, but comfortably more spacious than those offered on most coupes.
Specification includes climate control, electric folding mirrors, alloy wheels and metallic paint. Major extras include the air suspension system.
