AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9/10
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Safety8/10
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PRACTICALITY7/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER9/10
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COMFORT9/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE7/10
Mercedes-Benz may have angered purists almost two decades ago when it first referred to its CLS-Class sedan as a “four-door coupe,” but it’s a design that’s held up beautifully after all these years.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 was on the receiving end of a minor styling facelift this year, and carries a starting price of $99,900 before freight and taxes. It was further prepped with $18,850 in options, bringing it to $118,750.
Styling: 9.5/10
As long as it looks this good, Mercedes-Benz can call it whatever it likes. The sloping roofline doesn’t do any favours as far as rear headroom, but this is primarily a driver-focused car and that’s the price you pay. For 2022, the CLS gets a new grille and bumper. My tester’s exterior was accessorized with an Edition 429 package, named for the horsepower; it doesn’t add any of that, but it does include 20-inch matte black wheels, a dark grille, and black accents. I also had a track package that, along with drive modes, adds red paint to the brake calipers.
The interior is even more impressive, especially with my tester’s red upholstery and optional carbon fibre trim. The dash is a well-honed blend of traditional design with its turbine-style vents, topped with a futuristic tablet encompassing two 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and instrument cluster.
Safety: 8/10
The CLS hasn’t been crash-rated by either the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which limits this score. It does come standard with driver-assist safety technologies, including emergency front braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign assist, a self-parking feature, and the rearview camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles.
However, if you want a full suite – including adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, lane-keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, and evasive steering assist – you must add a $3,000 package.
Features: 8/10
The CLS includes such standard features as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, Nappa leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and a sunroof. The twin 12.3-inch screens are also standard, and the infotainment system includes navigation, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
But as with most high-end models, there are expensive options to be had. Among them here was a $4,800 package which added such items as a premium stereo, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and heated armrests, along with active multi-beam headlights.
User-Friendliness: 8/10
Many vehicles in this segment can be annoyingly complicated, but the CLS is fairly easy to figure out. The climate control uses buttons, as do functions such as the drive modes, and there’s a stereo volume dial on the console. The centre screen activates by touch, a console-mounted touchpad, or voice control when you say, “Hey, Mercedes.” The screen menus can be brought up with console-mounted buttons, and they’re fairly intuitive once you get into them.
Practicality: 7.5/10
The CLS technically has three seats across the rear, but it’s more realistic to think of it as a four-seater. Those in the back seats need to watch their noggins when entering and exiting, as the sloping roofline isn’t very forgiving. There isn’t much small-item storage up front, but the 490-L trunk is more than enough for most luggage requirements on a weekend getaway.
Comfort: 9/10
Once you’ve made it through those low doors, everything gets much better. As with virtually all German automakers, the seats are firm but extremely supportive, even on long drives. The front seats are bolstered and do a good job of keeping you in place on twisty roads, but not so much that it’s difficult to get in and out of them. Legroom in both rows is generous. Heated front seats are standard, while my tester was optioned with cooled front seats and rear heated seats, along with heated armrests that are a very nice touch on cool mornings. The ride is firm but still manages to be smooth and comfortable.
Power: 9/10
The CLS 53 is powered by an AMG-tuned 3.0L inline six-cylinder making 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. Along with a twin-scroll turbocharger and electric auxiliary compressor, the engine includes a 48-volt mild hybrid system that features an electric motor in place of a traditional starter motor, which gives a very quick boost of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque as needed on acceleration. The result is immediate, fast, smooth, and very satisfying performance when you hit the throttle hard, but it’s also well-behaved when navigating city streets.
The engine is mated to a quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, operated by a rather cheap-feeling stick on the steering column; but, of course, with the option of sequentially shifting through the gears via substantial wheel-mounted metal paddle shifters. All-wheel drive and air suspension are standard.
Driving Feel: 8.5/10
The CLS 53 serves up sharp steering, tight handling, and smooth performance around curves. You do notice its size and weight, but it’s well-balanced and very responsive, and body roll is well-managed. The suspension can be stiffened or set into comfort mode, and the optional performance exhaust can be unleashed for more of a rumble. The brakes do an equally good job of bringing it to a quick and controlled stop.
The drive modes, suspension, and other selectable functions can be handled via buttons on the console, but if you opt for the AMG performance steering wheel, they’re accessible through controllers on it.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
You pay to play, they say, but the CLS 53 does well against some of its competition. It’s rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 11.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.8 on the highway, and 10.3 in combined driving. In my week with it I came in just under at 10.2 L/100 km on premium-grade fuel.
Among rivals, that official 10.3 combined-driving figure rates favourably to the Audi S7 at 10.9; the Porsche Panamera 4 at 11.5; and the BMW X4 M at 13.9.
Value: 7/10
With a starting price of $99,900, the CLS 53 occupies a niche market. It’s one where buyers are used to paying for extra items that are included on many lower-priced vehicles, such as driver-assist technologies – and it doesn’t take long to take that base price into the stratosphere. You’re paying for the performance and, yes, for the three-pointed star on its nose.
Given that buyers are increasingly moving into SUVs and crossovers, even at the premium performance level, the CLS 53 doesn’t have as many direct competitors as it once had among four-door sedans. The Audi S7, similar in doors and styling, makes 444 hp and starts at $105,500, while the Porsche Panamera, in its entry 325-hp skin, starts at $113,300 with all-wheel drive. BMW’s X4 M crossover with 503 hp is $95,400. This one is also available as the less-potent Mercedes-Benz CLS 450, which starts at $85,900.
The Verdict
Its roofline may come with compromises, but the 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 is a standout for its styling inside and out; and while it doesn’t have as much power as some of its competitors, it’s a good blend of muscular performance with everyday driving characteristics.
| Engine Displacement | 3.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | I6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 429 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 384 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 11.6 / 8.8 / 10.3 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 490 L |
| Model Tested | 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 |
| Base Price | $99,990 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | N/A |
| Price as Tested | $118,850 |
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Optional Equipment
$18,850 – AMG Driver’s Package (performance steering wheel, exhaust, top-speed increase and 20-inch wheels), $1,900; AMG Track Package (drive modes and red calipers, $900; Edition 429 of 20-inch matte-black wheels, dark grille and accents), $2,500; Intelligent Drive Package (driver-assist technologies), $3,000; Premium Package (cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated armrests, Burmester sound system, 360-degree camera and active multi-beam headlamps, $4,800; Illuminated door sill panels), $250; AMG carbon fibre trim, $2,500; Black Dinamica headliner, $1,500; Head-up display, $1,500
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