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2008 Mercedes-Benz CL Class Review

July 6, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Curvier, more muscular lines than its subdued predecessor
Edmunds

With all four windows down the car looks absolutely stunning
Automobile

Neither showy nor obviously exotic
Kelley Blue Book

The sheetmetal that adorns the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class flows gracefully from hood to trunk, but not everyone who sees it appreciates the styling.

Edmunds writes that "the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class" comes in "four trim levels: CL550, CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG," though little varies externally between them. Among the differences on these large Mercedes-Benz 2008 coupes, the AMG versions come with "unique exterior enhancements" and "20-inch wheels," according to Edmunds.

Otherwise, they share a "sporty" appearance that is highlighted by a roofline that "sweeps smoothly from windshield to rear window without the interruption of a B-pillar." Cars.com calls that roofline "one of the CL550's best attributes" and goes on to say that "in the world of high-dollar coupes, the CL550's styling is rather restrained," though "its long profile, low-slung stance and big three-pointed star on the grille say 'I'm expensive.'" Reviewers at ForbesAutos write that this 2008 Mercedes-Benz "looks shapely from some angles," but it also "appears a bit fussed-over from other angles," and overall, it simply "didn't provoke public swooning in the manner of the BMW M6 or Jaguar XKR." Kelley Blue Book calls it “neither showy nor obviously exotic.”

Inside the Mercedes-Benz 2008 CL-Class is a cabin that waits to welcome occupants into an environment of supreme luxury. Cars.com is impressed by the way that the "CL550's cabin manages to elegantly fuse modern technology with old-world sophistication," thanks to its "orange ambient lighting with classic burled walnut trim and a full-leather interior." Kelley Blue Book also praises the interior of this 2008 Mercedes-Benz, as did most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, for the luxury that "abounds door-to-door, floor-to-roof," and is enhanced by a "leather-trimmed aviation-style cockpit." ForbesAutos goes on to say that "nearly everything about the design" of the Mercedes-Benz 2008 CL-Class interior "announces that this is a genuine luxury article." ConsumerGuide mentions "most major controls are logically placed and easy to reach."

Conclusion

An understated exterior may be a disappointment to some, but the interior of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is sure to impress.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Curvier, more muscular lines than its subdued predecessorEdmundsWith all four windows down the car looks absolutely stunningAutomobileNeither showy nor obviously exoticKelley Blue Book The sheetmetal that adorns the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class flows gracefully from hood to trunk, but not everyone who sees it appreciates the styling. Edmunds writes that "the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class" comes in "four trim levels: CL550, CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG," though little varies externally between them. Among the differences on these large Mercedes-Benz 2008 coupes, the AMG versions come with "unique exterior enhancements" and "20-inch wheels," according to Edmunds. Otherwise, they share a "sporty" appearance that is highlighted by a roofline that "sweeps smoothly from windshield to rear window without the interruption of a B-pillar." Cars.com calls that roofline "one of the CL550's best attributes" and goes on to say that "in the world of high-dollar coupes, the CL550's styling is rather restrained," though "its long profile, low-slung stance and big three-pointed star on the grille say 'I'm expensive.'" Reviewers at ForbesAutos write that this 2008 Mercedes-Benz "looks shapely from some angles," but it also "appears a bit fussed-over from other angles," and overall, it simply "didn't provoke public swooning in the manner of the BMW M6 or Jaguar XKR." Kelley Blue Book calls it “neither showy nor obviously exotic.” Inside the Mercedes-Benz 2008 CL-Class is a cabin that waits to welcome occupants into an environment of supreme luxury. Cars.com is impressed by the way that the "CL550's cabin manages to elegantly fuse modern technology with old-world sophistication," thanks to its "orange ambient lighting with classic burled walnut trim and a full-leather interior." Kelley Blue Book also praises the interior of this 2008 Mercedes-Benz, as did most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, for the luxury that "abounds door-to-door, floor-to-roof," and is enhanced by a "leather-trimmed aviation-style cockpit." ForbesAutos goes on to say that "nearly everything about the design" of the Mercedes-Benz 2008 CL-Class interior "announces that this is a genuine luxury article." ConsumerGuide mentions "most major controls are logically placed and easy to reach." ConclusionAn understated exterior may be a disappointment to some, but the interior of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is sure to impress.  2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-CLASS STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "Curvier, more muscular lines than its subdued predecessor" Automobile: "With all four windows down the car looks absolutely stunning" Kelley Blue Book: "Neither showy nor obviously exotic" The sheetmetal that adorns the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The CL-Class is more expensive than any other mass-market coupe, but priced well below what the most exclusive prestige brands have to offer. The most direct competitor to the CL-Class may be the Bentley Continental, a twin-turbo, 12-cylinder coupe that, like the CL models, blends a classy, conservative interior design with performance that has the straight-line acceleration, if not the handling, to keep up with top sportscar models. Both the CL and the Continental feel hefty and poised on the open road. Among these two, the Bentley may have the advantage because of the rarity and exclusivity of the brand. The other more surprising competitor to the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class comes from within Mercedes's own stable; its SL-Class roadster is in a similar price class, with a stunning interior, similar high-performance AMG models, and some of the same tech features, but it's a bit more performance-focused than the CL.

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See the Mercedes-Benz CL Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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