The third-generation CLS is still based on the E-Class and exists as a product between the E-Class and the S-Class, competing with four-door coupe models such as BMW's 6 Series and Audi A7. This generation of CLS is still divided into diesel and gasoline powered, and there will also be AMG models, but there is no news about the 53, 43 and 63 for the time being, and the manufacturer has also indicated that it will not launch the Shooting Brake hunting version.
 
This generation of CLS adopts new design elements, and the shape of the headlights and tail is very different from the previous generation, and there is more controversy about the tail shape. At this level, in fact, the appearance has a great impact on consumers, although the appearance of this thing is a matter of opinion, but the appearance of CLS does lack absolute competitiveness in the same class.
 
The powertrain of this generation of CLS is actually not much, there are four sets of gasoline engines, the gearbox is equipped with 9G-Tronic as standard, and the 300 and 350 released in China are the 2.0T engines codenamed M264, 300 maximum horsepower is 211 horsepower, 350 maximum horsepower is 299 horsepower, and with a 48V mild hybrid system, it can make fuel performance better, and it can also make the action of starting acceleration more agile.
 
Abroad, the 450 is equipped with a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder turbocharged engine codenamed M256 E30 with a maximum horsepower of 367 hp, equipped with an EQ Boost 48V mild hybrid system, and the AMG CLS 53 has a maximum horsepower of 429hp, which will also be equipped with an EQ Boost mild hybrid system.
 
The domestic 300 is rear-drive, and there is no mild-hybrid system, 350 is full-time four-wheel drive, and equipped with a mild-hybrid system, theoretically 350 is more worth buying, but 300 has a price advantage, and the foreign 450 is equipped with a 3.0T six-cylinder engine, which is more attractive than the domestic 350 after parallel imports, and the domestic 350 is in a very awkward position.
 
This generation of CLS uses the MRA platform, the whole system is a front four-link and rear five-link suspension combination, the difference is in the drive mode, 300 is rear-wheel drive, 350 and 450 are full-time four-wheel drive, the front and rear power distribution is constant, AMG CLS 53 The front and rear power is dynamically distributed, which can transmit all the power to the rear axle.
 
The power of the 300 is not strong for a model of this size, and the rear-wheel drive will not feel much driving pleasure, and the driving experience is a bit similar to that of the E-class. The power of the 350 is a little stronger, but more importantly, the 48V hybrid system, the same system, the feeling on the CLS is a little more obvious than that of the S-class, and it will be much more flexible than the S-class when driving, when you need power, after stepping on the accelerator, the first thing to give you a reaction is not the gearbox, but this system, it will give you power first, and then the gearbox downshifts, and the power of the engine is connected again. The power of the 450 and 53 is certainly sufficient, but if you consider the 300 and 350 as a sports model, you will definitely be disappointed because it has little to do with sport.
 
The interior of the CLS is also similar to the E-class, there will be two large screens, but it will have more lights on the air conditioning vents than the E-class, and then there will be a Berlin Sound audio, and there will also be an S-class steering wheel, the sense of luxury and workmanship are very likeable, and the interior of Mercedes-Benz has an overwhelming advantage in the BBA.
 
The shortcomings of the CLS are the same as those of other Coupe models, although it has four doors and is also positioned as a five-seater model, but the space in the rear is not much different from the two-door version of the E-Class, and the middle platform is very high, which will be cramped for three people. There is enough knee space, but there is almost no headroom, adults with a slightly normal height will hold their heads, the area of the rear window is also very small, and sitting in the back row and looking left and right is the C-pillar, and the vision is very poor. The opening of the trunk is not large, the difference between the floor and the threshold is very large, it will be more difficult to lift heavy objects, the space is not large, but it is very deep, and the rear seats support to be reclined, but limited to the body design, the height is not enough.
 
The CLS has not participated in official crash tests, but the E-Class using the same platform has received the TSP evaluation of the IIHS, so the safety expectations of the CLS are also optimistic.
Mercedes-Benz CLS evaluation report