Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 2014 Review

We have just reluctantly handed back a Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 CDI four-door coupe that, with a little imagination, can classed as affordable.  With a recommended tag of $114,900, the turbo-diesel version sits around $50,000 under the price of the V8 petrol CLS 500 we tested last year.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is extremely aggressive at the moment. Its new A-Class is selling its wheels off, and the about to be launched C-Class, the most important vehicle in the importer's lineup, is receiving a lot of pre-sale publicity.

DESIGN

The original Mercedes CLS, launched 10 years ago, had soft flowing lines that were later toughened up by way of a facelift. The all-new version has an even more aggressive look. The front grille is almost upright and has strong cues to the stunning SLS Gullwing by AMG.

Not immediately noticeable is the use of LED headlights, a first in mass production cars. These adjust automatically in four directions – up, down, left or right – according to inputs from other cars' headlights or taillights and the way the CLS' steering wheel is turned. They provide almost as much vision as you get in daylight and we loved them.

Swooping swage lines and the ‘Mercedes pontoon' look of the rear guards complete the side profile. At the tail, the new Mercedes four-door coupe features huge taillights that stretch a long way forward. 

The interior is done in high-quality materials that are finished to an exceptional standard.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

Power comes from the well-known 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel and peaks at 150kW. More important than power is torque and this engine has plenty of it, 500Nm to be precise. It's not that many years since you needed a six-litre petrol V8 to achieve something approaching500 Nm.

The transmission is also familiar, Merc's seven-speed self shifter is one of the sweetest in the business.

SAFETY

Multiple driver aids will do everything they can to keep you out of trouble. Should all else fail the CLS has no fewer than 11 airbags, including one to protect the driver's knees, to minimise injuries. 

It goes without saying the the CLS-Class gained five stars when tested by European authorities.

DRIVING

The front seats of the new CLS are large and spacious and support reasonably well, it's not intended to be a sports model and comfort is more important than the ability to corner at big G-forces. 

The basic design of the suspension is already good, and is backed up by electronic sensors that can assist a driver who has over-driven the car, or who has simply made a mistake. 

Legroom in the rear seat is good, though you wouldn't describe it as being generous. It's obviously not a Mercedes S-Class, or even an E-Class back there, but four adults will find they can settle back and revel in the luxury of this sleek coupe/sedan. Back country roads didn't show up any great deterioration.

Performance from what is a relatively small turbo-diesel powerplant is very good, indeed all but the revheads will find it has far more acceleration than they need. 

There's some lag when the engine is suddenly asked to do something but once the turbocharger is spinning in a purposeful manner there's plenty of urge. Indeed, in some stages through the rev range it feels almost as good as the V8 petrol. Love it!

Fuel consumption in easy running sat in the six to seven litre range, with fives there if you really work at it. Around town diesel usage lifted to eight to ten litres per hundred kilometres, which is pretty low considering the performance potential.