Mercedes CLS 350 CDI, road test (Exterior design, interior and finishes)

In the first part of the road test we looked at the engine and behaviour of the Mercedes CLS, the model we tested with the 265 hp 350 CDI diesel engine, paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The engine is as impressive as its lines, with the change in Mercedes’s design language. The CLS is one of the first models to receive the changes, which in its new generation looks much sportier and more aggressive, especially at the front.

During the test it was a car that drew the gaze of passers-by, people of all kinds and a very wide range of ages. This made us reflect, since the previous CLS was much more conservative in design, and the current one is no longer aimed so much at that conservatism which, in the past, was typical of Mercedes.

The first CLS arrived in 2004, when Mercedes got ahead and burst into a segment previously unknown to premium brands: the four-door coupé. Although it sat in a luxury segment with high prices, the first CLS was very well received on the market, with more than 170,000 units sold.

Exterior design

In 2011 the second generation arrived, this time with competition such as the Audi A7, which came to fight for its share of the pie in this market niche. With the new generation came changes: a much sportier and more radical exterior design, and updated engines and technology.

The exterior design keeps the main features of the previous model: a sporty four-seat saloon, frameless windows to accentuate its coupé style, and considerable dimensions at 4.94 metres long, but all with a radically different look.

The front is what changes most; it now gets a new design and lights. A large central grille with the Mercedes star gives the CLS presence, while on either side are the headlights, which are a real technical showpiece, using LED technology for all lighting functions. The most curious thing is the number of LEDs used: no fewer than 71 LEDs per headlight.

The daytime running lights sit where the fog lights used to be, which is common in the brand’s new designs from Stuttgart. Meanwhile the side profile has hardly changed and still has a strong design and sporty character.

The rear is modified to a lesser degree than the front, but it gets new light clusters with LED technology, and the two rectangular exhaust outlets stand out, completing that sporty look once again.

Finally, there are the wheels: as standard they come with two 17-inch designs at no extra cost, while the remaining sizes of 18 inches and up to the 19-inch AMG wheels can cost close to 3,400 euros.

Interior design, space and finishes

The interior has a very high standard of finish. As proof, it is hard to find any part that is not covered in leather or wood. And if you go looking for hard plastic in a visible or easy-to-reach spot, it is an arduous task because there is almost none.

The dashboard design has been changed, and there is now a panel running across its full width, which can be made of wood, aluminium or another material. This panel is flanked by two leather-covered sections. The steering wheel has also been renewed and is now much more modern and avant-garde.

We must not forget the analogue clock presiding over the centre console, adding an elegant touch. The new navigation system and climate control complete the centre console, while various storage compartments and the suspension and multimedia controls complete the centre tunnel.

The gear selector is not on the centre tunnel but, as on an American model, behind the steering wheel. It is very quick to operate and practical (the paddles complete it).

The driving position is comfortable and rather low. The front seats are wide and hold the body perfectly, and the micro-perforated leather stands out. If you are over 1.80 metres tall you may not find them quite so comfortable, since the design severely limits headroom.

The rear seats are two individual seats separated by a set of glove boxes and places to leave your belongings. Comfort is assured and legroom is on a par with a Class E, but again the problem is headroom, restricted by a sloping roofline; if you are tall you will not be entirely comfortable.

Storage and boot

It has a large central glovebox as well as several storage spaces in the centre console for keeping things. The rear seats seem more typical of an MPV than a saloon, since there are many compartments and storage spaces, some of which house a 12V socket or an ashtray.

The boot has regular shapes and a capacity of 520 litres. It is quite usable thanks to the height of the loading lip, easy access and regular shape. Optionally you can fit a cover, extendable and retracting automatically, which is very handy for storing small items and stopping them rolling around the boot.

In the third part of the test we will focus on equipment, highlighting the safety features fitted as standard, as well as the equipment specific to our unit. Finally we will cover all the CLS prices and our overall verdict on the model.

Photos | David Taboada/ Diego G. Moreira