Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: £59,975 to £153,050
Ride quality, understated appearance, superb engineering, very civilised
Cabin not that special, a bit too tame for some
This is a very fast car, but it doesn't always feel that way as you're so insulated from the outside world
The CL-Class keeps its body well under control and avoids the nausea-inducing wallows of the massive pre-'99 model. There are few jerks and jiggles over rough surfaces and, generally, all is smooth and quiet, even at high autobahn speeds. All the kit is there: automatic climate control, electrically adjustable everything, memory functions for all the settings, infrared protective glass, Easy Entry steering column and multi-function steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and auto headlights. At the top of the range, you also get massaging multi-contour front seats (a bit disconcerting at first, but really quite pleasant), nappa leather, an electric rear roller blind, pneumatically-raising rear headrest, TV tuner and uprated sound system. AMG models will have sportier nappa leather seats and a steering wheel with gearshift controls. There's all the suede and Alcantara you'd expect, in varying degrees of tastefulness depending on specification and your choice of colour. It's a large coupe, but lacks legroom in the rear; tall rear-seat passengers won't be able to stretch out. Otherwise, interior accommodation is more than sufficient, especially since most CLs won't have to carry more than two people plus a couple of sets of golf clubs in the huge boot. The standard glass sunroof helps give the cabin a light, airy feel, though it does have a sliding blind if you prefer it cosy. The high-quality sound system is all you'd expect; a six-disc multi-CD is standard, with the CL 600 and CL 55 AMG having a top-notch Bose set-up. We'll dock it a star or two here, though, for having the autochanger mounted in the boot - very annoying. All models have the COMAND control system with satellite navigation and screen and optional voice controls for the phone and audio system; the CL 600 adds a mobile phone and TV.
