If you’re looking for a high-end luxury car with a unique edge, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS might do the trick. Mercedes-Benz categorizes the CLS as a coupe, despite its four doors. The logic here is more about the car’s look, which includes narrow side glass, a sloping rear window, and a tucked trunk. Of course, this formula also delivers coupe-like interior space, which translates into a cramped back seat and reduced trunk space.
Mercedes-Benz makes choosing a CLS easy, as there’s only one trim: the CLS 450 4Matic. It features a 362-horsepower 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine paired with a mild-hybrid system that delivers an additional 21 hp of boost when needed. All-wheel drive (that’s the AWD 4Matic part) comes standard, as does a 9-speed automatic transmission.
2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic: $76,500
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 includes adaptive damping shock absorbers, a lowered suspension, a sport exhaust, sport brakes, and Dynamic Cornering Assist, which uses torque vectoring to help overcome understeer when rounding curves at high speed.
Typical of a high-end luxury car, the CLS 450 comes standard with rain-sensing wipers, heated washer nozzles, a motion-activated power trunk lid, LED headlights, and heated power-folding side mirrors.
A power tilt/slide sunroof is also included, as is Keyless Go, which allows access without having to remove the key fob from your pocket or purse.
Opening the CLS 450’s door reveals an interior brimming with luxury and sophistication, highlighted by a single glass panel spanning much of the dash. Start the car, and you’ll discover the panel fills with colorful information, as it hosts a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment screen.
Dual-zone automatic climate control utilizes large round dash vents featuring 64-color ambient lighting, which extends to the dash and doors. It’s an elegant and functional design and eye candy for the tech-savvy.
Standard leather adorns the seats, door panels, and armrests, but you can upgrade to softer Nappa leather in various colors.
The CLS 450 features front power seats with 4-way power lumbar support, seat heaters, and memory. The Nappa-leather-wrapped power tilt/telescoping steering wheel features capacitive-touch controls for functions like Bluetooth, cruise control, and audio.
MBUX, or Mercedes-Benz User Experience, makes easy work of controlling the car’s various systems. It understands casual voice commands prompted by speaking, “Hey, Mercedes.” You can then ask it to find the nearest gas station, best Italian restaurant, or directions to a destination.
Infotainment selections are controlled either by the touchscreen, voice prompts, or a touchpad controller that operates much like a smartphone or tablet. The touchpad includes pinch-to-zoom and swipe functionality and can even recognize handwriting.
The infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, GPS navigation with no-charge map upgrades for one year, HD Radio, and one-year Live Traffic Information.
Accompanying MBUX are a number of Mercedes me smartphone apps. When activated, the apps allow for remote start, pre-setting the climate controls, setting up a service appointment, and vehicle status updates. You can even manage your car payments.
The CLS 450’s standard audio system includes two small subwoofers under the dashboard, utilizing the car’s rigid front frame to create resonance chambers for impressive bass response.
Mercedes-Benz is a leader in automotive safety, and nowhere is this more evident than in the CLS 450’s long list of standard and available driver assists.
Standard equipment includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Crosswind Assist helps negate the effects of strong crosswinds, while Attention Assist produces an audible and visual warning when detecting inattentive or drowsy driving.
Additional systems prep the passenger compartment if a collision is unavoidable, post alerts to your smartphone when detecting the car bumped or hit while parked, and even communicate warnings to other Mercedes-Benz drivers when encountering hazards, such as icy roads or sudden downpours.
The optional Driver Assistance Package brings even more technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic detection and braking, plus speed limit assist.
An extensive options list allows greater personalization, letting you build the exact CLS of your dreams. Among the more opulent offerings are Manufaktur leather interior upgrades and exterior paint colors.
Opting for the Premium Package brings a 360-degree camera, Parktronic Active Parking Assist (automatically parallel or perpendicularly parks the car), a 6-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 590-watt 13-speaker Burmester audio system.
Selecting the Warmth and Comfort package brings rapid-heating front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated front armrests.
The AMG Line option adds AMG 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, AMG side rocker panels, an AMG front apron with deep side air intakes, and an AMG rear diffuser.
The cockpit features stainless steel pedal covers, an AMG steering wheel, and a black headliner.
Additional upgrades include multi-contour massaging front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a head-up display, a power rear sunshade, 3-zone climate controls, and a wireless phone charging pad.
Buyers can also opt for rear side-impact airbags, power soft-closing doors, a 115-volt outlet, additional acoustic insulation, adaptive LED headlights, and augmented video for the navigation system.
An Interior Assistant option uses an overhead 3D camera to monitor and respond to the driver and front passenger’s arm and hand movements, anticipating and activating systems about to be engaged.
With the expected $1,150 destination fee, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic will cost $77,650. On a 60-month loan at 3% and with no money down, the monthly payment should come to about $1,395. See 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic includes:
- Power front seats – The CLS 450’s front seats are a matched set, offering multiple adjustments, 4-way power lumber, and even 3-position memory.
- 64-color ambient lighting – With 64 colors of available ambient lighting, the CLS allows you to set the interior mood with lights in the dash, doors, and vents.
- Available Burmester audio – Burmester builds some of the finest audio components in the world, so it’s no wonder Mercedes-Benz turned to them in the CLS.
