2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review
Price
RM732,888
Installment
RM6,990/mth
2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class quick specs
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Class | Mid-size Luxury |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is really the product of a cross between the E-Class sedan and CLK coupe, giving the often-somber Mercedes-Benz model range a jolt of novelty. The sleek four-door coupe, as the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is known, will polarise opinions about its styling. But one thing for sure, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will turn plenty of heads wherever it goes.
Handling
The agile E-Class chassis, on which the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is based, provides keen responses and high grip levels. In addition, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has been tuned for finer body control, resisting body leans even better and cornering with more enthusiasm. The end driving experience is one closer to the CLK coupe than E-Class sedan; no bad thing when the CLK coupe balances the ride-and-handling so finely.
Comfort
Ride comfort and refinement, key foundations behind the Mercedes-Benz brand, are quite brilliant. With impressive high-speed stability and noise isolation, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is built for relaxing cruising. The driver seat allows plenty of seating and steering adjustments for comfort fine-tuning. The seats feel supportive and the dashboard, much more conservative relative to the exterior, has good ergonomics.
Quality + Reliability
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class's cabin comes with excellent build quality and lush materials, although some switchgear are obviously shared with other Mercedes-Benz models, especially the E-Class. According to JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, the Mercedes-Benz brand has been rated well in terms of reliability. Some earlier models have been known to have electrical glitches, but Mercedes-Benz is winning back its reputation for reliability.
Performance
With 272 bhp and 350 Nm, the 3.5-litre V6 puts in a strong performance, taking merely 7.0 seconds from zero to 100 km/h. Delivering power through the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the mechanical refinement is highly impressive.
Roominess
Front driver and passenger enjoy ample room, but the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class's sloping roofline limits rear headroom for passengers over 1.8 metres. Rear legroom is not great either. Ingress and egress are hampered by the deep door sills. The well-shaped boot has generous capacity though.
Running Costs
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS 350's fuel economy stands at 9.4 km/litre. Maintenance and repairs will be costly as all Mercedes-Benz servicing tends to be. Cars wearing the Mercedes-Benz badge may be expensive to buy and maintain, but the CLS-Class should retain its value fairly well, given the strong Mercedes-Benz brand and its unique positioning with no direct competitors in the market.
Value for Money
The CLS-Class is like nothing else Mercedes-Benz has in its model range. And for this reason, BMW and Audi have no immediate answers to it lined up, which works to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class's advantage. Mercedes-Benz has produced a stylish, sporty, comfortable and highly refined car in the CLS-Class. It may not appeal to everyone and the asking price is high compared to the E-Class sedan's, but the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is sure to gain its fair share of sales, whether there is competition or not.
Equipment
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 comes equipped as standard with automatic climate control, COMAND MP3-compatible audio system with CD-changer, 17" alloy wheels, speed-sensitive steering, leather interior, electrically adjustable front seats with memory, cruise control with speed limiter, bi-xenon headlamps with active light system, and Parktronic system. Standard safety kit includes Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS), front airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags.
Environment
Hardly economical fuel consumption of 9.4 km/litre and high carbon dioxide emissions of 253 grams/km mean the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 is not “green” by any measure. Mercedes-Benz should give us the enhanced 3.5-litre CGI engine with direct injection, which boosts power and torque and reduces fuel consumption and emissions level.
