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2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class Quality Review

February 21, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

lavish four-passenger interior
Kelley Blue Book

richly appointed
Forbes Autos

tight rear-seat space
Car and Driver

responds with typical luxury car motions
Edmunds

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS’s front-seat comfort is almost unanimously praised by reviewers, but most find backseat and cargo space tight.

There’s plenty of room in the front pair of buckets. The optional massaging front seats, notes Cars.com, entitle driver and front passenger to "expect a comfortable ride in the true luxury sense." ForbesAutos is very impressed with the CLS’s genuine leather and wood appointments, and the "heated and ventilated multi-contour seats" are nothing short of decadent. Kelley Blue Book also appreciates the CLS’s accommodating interior: “A long center console runs from front to back, dividing the cabin in two and giving both backseat passengers places to call their own, while four-zone climate control helps to ensure everyone remains comfortable.”

Car and Driver and Cars.com suggest that rear space in the Mercedes-Benz CLS may be a bit "tight" thanks to the sloping fastback roof. Automobile observes, “The back seats are set low to clear the sloping roofline, but deeply scooped-out front seatbacks leave sufficient leg-room for six-footers, and rear passengers can set their own temperatures via the four-zone climate control.” In addition, the “coupe like roof line and tighter door openings can make getting in and out of the rear seats more difficult.” ConsumerGuide warns there is "little head space for those over 5-ft-9. Knee and leg room get tight for adults with front seats pushed well back."

According to Kelley Blue Book, the Mercedes-Benz CLS has 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but ConsumerGuide points out that the space is not particularly efficient; the trunk of the Mercedes-Benz CLS is "long and wide, but not very tall," making it difficult to fit larger hard suitcases. However, there is "decent cabin storage [that] includes large, covered bins front and rear."

In terms of quality of materials used and the cockpits’ construction, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS lives up to expectations. ConsumerGuide says the cabin has "top-notch workmanship, elegant leather upholstery, numerous padded surfaces, and liberal use of soft-touch materials." Kelley Blue Book comments on the "impeccable dash stitching."

ConsumerGuide also reports that noise levels are "the usual Mercedes-Benz combination of little wind noise and classy, mechanical engine growl," while "coarse-surface tire thrum [is] noticed but is never intrusive." Car and Driver agrees, saying, "even at wide-open throttle, your ears aren't exactly pummeled by sound," and even though the V-8 produces "enough volume to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention...the sound remains refined by staying at some remove."

Conclusion

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS coddles four passengers in ample comfort and decadent luxury. Front passengers especially are treated to abundant room, but the backseat is unduly tight.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:lavish four-passenger interiorKelley Blue Bookrichly appointedForbes Autostight rear-seat spaceCar and Driverresponds with typical luxury car motionsEdmunds The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS’s front-seat comfort is almost unanimously praised by reviewers, but most find backseat and cargo space tight. There’s plenty of room in the front pair of buckets. The optional massaging front seats, notes Cars.com, entitle driver and front passenger to "expect a comfortable ride in the true luxury sense." ForbesAutos is very impressed with the CLS’s genuine leather and wood appointments, and the "heated and ventilated multi-contour seats" are nothing short of decadent. Kelley Blue Book also appreciates the CLS’s accommodating interior: “A long center console runs from front to back, dividing the cabin in two and giving both backseat passengers places to call their own, while four-zone climate control helps to ensure everyone remains comfortable.” Car and Driver and Cars.com suggest that rear space in the Mercedes-Benz CLS may be a bit "tight" thanks to the sloping fastback roof. Automobile observes, “The back seats are set low to clear the sloping roofline, but deeply scooped-out front seatbacks leave sufficient leg-room for six-footers, and rear passengers can set their own temperatures via the four-zone climate control.” In addition, the “coupe like roof line and tighter door openings can make getting in and out of the rear seats more difficult.” ConsumerGuide warns there is "little head space for those over 5-ft-9. Knee and leg room get tight for adults with front seats pushed well back." According to Kelley Blue Book, the Mercedes-Benz CLS has 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but ConsumerGuide points out that the space is not particularly efficient; the trunk of the Mercedes-Benz CLS is "long and wide, but not very tall," making it difficult to fit larger hard suitcases. However, there is "decent cabin storage [that] includes large, covered bins front and rear." In terms of quality of materials used and the cockpits’ construction, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS lives up to expectations. ConsumerGuide says the cabin has "top-notch workmanship, elegant leather upholstery, numerous padded surfaces, and liberal use of soft-touch materials." Kelley Blue Book comments on the "impeccable dash stitching." ConsumerGuide also reports that noise levels are "the usual Mercedes-Benz combination of little wind noise and classy, mechanical engine growl," while "coarse-surface tire thrum [is] noticed but is never intrusive." Car and Driver agrees, saying, "even at wide-open throttle, your ears aren't exactly pummeled by sound," and even though the V-8 produces "enough volume to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention...the sound remains refined by staying at some remove." ConclusionThe 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS coddles four passengers in ample comfort and decadent luxury. Front passengers especially are treated to abundant room, but the backseat is unduly tight.  2009 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-CLASS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: “One cannot argue with the sheer beauty that is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS.” Forbes Autos: "curvaceous...combines coupe-like looks with sedan-like practicality" Car and Driver: "makes a Jaguar look ugly" ...

Read More of this Review:

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

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The classic, conservative look of the Jaguar XJ might not appeal to those who want to be seen, but its lightweight aluminum construction, perky performance, and good fuel economy are all big positives—as is its interior, which has a uniquely British air in a sea of feel-alike luxury-sedan interiors. The Infiniti M45 is a little less opulent inside, but it’s also priced much lower. Its performance is perky, and it feels more like an agile sport sedan than the others. Plus, its slick blend of high-tech features will win over enthusiasts and tech geeks. The Lexus LS has V-8 power, an available long-wheelbase version, and a hybrid edition, along with a great ride and almost unbelievable levels of refinement, but its conservative feel throughout isn’t at all the choice for those who want a more spirited experience.

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See the Mercedes-Benz CLS Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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