Toyota GR 86 vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
What's the difference?

Toyota GR 86

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2023 price

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Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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2022 price

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Summary

2023 Toyota GR 86

2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

By Matt Campbell

By Tung Nguyen

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Flat 4, 2.4L

Twin Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

8.7L/100km (combined)

9.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Faster than before
More focused than before
Still a standout, even at this price

Confident design
Genuinely sporty performance
Frameless doors are always cool

Dislikes

Severely behind on safety tech
Prices are up a lot
Could be too firm for some

Compromised rear-seat room
Pricier than rivals
Unergonomic steering wheel controls

2023 Toyota GR 86 Summary

The new, second generation take on the hachi-roku formula adds a serious amount of 'GRRRR' to the mix. This is it - the new-look, more powerful and much angrier Toyota GR86.

It takes the familiar front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car formula and mixes in a bit of madness - there’s a more focused chassis setup, redone steering, a firmer ride and of course, a bigger capacity engine. Still no turbo, though.

The question is - does it improve on the original? And can it live up to its new jaw-dropping price?

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2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Summary

Mercedes-Benz loves to fill a niche. This is the company, after all, that has a coupe version of its GLC and GLE SUVS, four-door coupes ranging in size from the CLA to the AMG GT 4-door, and enough electric vehicles to make Tesla jealous.

The nichest of all though, might the CLS, which has been updated for the 2022 model year.

Positioned above the E-Class but below the S-Class in the line-up as a sporty sedan for customers after a blend of style, technology and performance, the new CLS is available in just one engine now, while styling and equipment have also been tweaked in the update.

Can the CLS earn its place in the Mercedes line-up or is it destined to be a bit player amongst more popular models?

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Toyota GR 86 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Verdict

If you’re expecting a faster, angrier and more focused version of the original 86, you’re going to be happy with this car. If you’re expecting it to be as fun and chuckable as the first one, you might be upset.

It has a different character, this GR86 - certainly with more GRRRR than ever before - and it still represents a strong sports car option for buyers, even if it is a fair bit more expensive this time around. It'd be hard not to recommend the GTS version to anyone considering it.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel and meals provided.

Verdict

Comfortable when it needs to be and sporty when you want it to be, the CLS 53 is a bit like Mercedes’ Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde – or maybe Bruce Banner and the Hulk is a better frame of reference for some.

While it doesn’t excel in any one particular area, its breadth of useability is commendable, but ultimately it might be its all-too-familiar aesthetics that is the biggest letdown.

From the inside, it looks and feels like any other large Mercedes model (not necessarily a criticism), while the exterior – in my opinion – doesn’t go far enough to differentiate it from the CLA.

After all, if you wanted a stylish and sporty sedan, shouldn’t feel special too?

Toyota GR 86 vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota GR 86 vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
What's the difference?