2008 Mercedes-Benz CL Class Quality Review

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is close to flawless in terms of quality and comfort, especially for those up front.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coupe has space for four inside its luxurious cabin, but the interior isn't quite as vast as it appears from the outside. Up front, the "cabin is roomy, but there's not a lot of extra headroom" thanks in large part to the "low roofline," say the Cars.com reviewers. Laterally, however, ConsumerGuide writes that "space is generous on CL's broad, supportive seats," and "multiple standard power adjustments make it easy to find a comfortable driving position." Edmunds adds "the front seats are fantastically comfortable, with numerous adjustments as well as heating and, on upper trims, cooling and massage functions."

For rear occupants, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com indicate that space in this Mercedes-Benz 2008 coupe is at a bit more of a premium. ConsumerGuide says that it is "cramped for even average-size adults" and warns "entry and exit is tight despite power-forward front seats." On a positive note, Cars.com says that "the CL550 is more accommodating to rear-seat passengers than many coupes," and it offers "acceptable" seat comfort, though "legroom is tight for tall adults." One of the nice features about the front seats is that they "are smart enough not to crush the legs of tall rear passengers; if the front seats meet resistance when motoring back into place, they stop and move forward slightly," according to Cars.com.

Storage space inside the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is adequate for most functions, though it certainly isn't built to haul cargo. ConsumerGuide testers find that "the trunk is not cavernous, but it has a useful shape and is luxuriously finished." Cars.com adds that "the coupe's trunk measures 12.9 cubic feet," but as is "typical of large cars, the backseat doesn't fold forward to extend the cargo area into the cabin." The true storage on the Mercedes-Benz 2008 CL-Class is inside the cabin, where ConsumerGuide says "interior storage includes deep door pockets, multi-chambered center console, and a large glovebox."

Materials and assembly quality on this 2008 Mercedes-Benz is top-notch and unanimously appreciated in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Edmunds reviewers rave about the "high-quality materials and superb fit and finish" that "quietly bespeak the fact that this is an expensive car." Car and Driver adds, "leather--lots of it--embraces the seats and the headliner" and is "set off with high-quality moldings and chestnut or burled-walnut trim used sparingly in a stylish flourish." Even the typically conservative reviewers at ConsumerGuide write that the "assembly quality is flawless." The one negative is pointed out by ForbesAutos, which notes that "the only luxury letdown is the rear cup holders that spring from a center folding armrest; made of flimsy-looking plastic, they wouldn't seem out of place in an economy car."

Aside from looking great, one of the additional benefits of the high-quality construction on the Mercedes-Benz 2008 CL-Class is that it does an exceptional job of reducing outside noise during driving. ConsumerGuide writes that "V8 or V12, the engines produce classy, mechanical sounds during acceleration and are nearly silent while cruising." Car and Driver adds, "there's little noise from the drivetrain, tires, or wind passing by to alert you" to the speed at which you are driving, which they note can have the unfortunate consequence of "numerous traffic citations."