STYLING | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
The CLS550's styling is polarizing, but we love it even if the headlights are overwrought and it looks a little too much like every other new Mercedes from the front.
Motor Trend
The three-pointed star adorning the CLS's massive grille is the size of a gladiator's belt buckle.
Automobile
the new CLS nods at the old car and then goes its own way. It shares a similar crescent-shaped greenhouse profile and tapered, high-bustle rear with the outgoing car, but much of that car's feminine elegance is gone, particularly at the front.
Inside Line
Especially looking dead-on at the rear end, all the drawn lines of the trunk, rear fenders, new lighting elements, bumper, etc. come off both pinched and pudgy at the same time.
Inside Line
The body looks milled from a solid chunk of steel and makes the still-beautiful departing model look positively dated by comparison. And that's just the outside.
Autoblog
The silhouette of the CLS Class is unmistakable, with a long, arching, coupe-like roof sloping into relatively short front and rear ends. At the front and sides, bold angles and character curves add definition to the once-smooth shape of the CLS. Strong trapezoidal themes, seemingly flared fenders, and an overall look of more masculine solidity defines the current CLS Class. In CLS63 AMG guise, the fast four-door coupe enters the realm of truly aggressive.
Inside, the story is much the same, though efforts to out-do the E Class lead to a degree of busy-ness that's not entirely welcome. While the interior is undeniably well-made and well-appointed, the proliferation of details, curves, and adornments can be distracting. That said, the materials are pleasing to both touch and eye, and the overall style is luxurious, modern, and rich.
Upgrading to the CLS63 AMG adds another layer of design, which in some cases means more bling. Nonetheless, the AMG's interior is among the most well-executed and attractive in the business short of the hyper-luxury class.
Conclusion
Svelte despite its size, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class' design is elegant, sporty, and eye-catching.
