Mercedes-Benz CLS

Name: 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

EPA MPG: 20 mpg

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

CR's Take

The extensively freshened CLS gets a new 329-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 hooked up to a seven-speed automatic for the base powertrain. The 550 gets a 402-hp, 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 mated to a new nine-speed automatic. An AMG version with a 577-hp, 5.5-liter V8 delivers ferocious acceleration. Handling is capable and surprisingly agile for such a large car. The ride is firm but supple and steady. The coupelike styling results in a low roof and small windows, reducing interior space. That limits cabin access, hurts visibility, and compromises rear-seat room. Noise levels are hushed. Fit and finish is excellent, but the controls are complicated. All-wheel drive is available.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

2016 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mercedes-Benz CLS

vs. Similar Cars

Audi A6

BMW 5 Series

Buick LaCrosse

Cadillac XTS

Lexus ES

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

2016 Luxury midsized cars Ratings

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS

$12,625 - $22,275

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Acura RLX

$9,625 - $12,600

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Audi A6

$6,500 - $14,325

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Audi A7

$12,700 - $14,400

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Audi S4

$14,850

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 BMW 5 Series

$10,225 - $13,950

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 BMW 6 Series

$12,400 - $17,400

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Buick LaCrosse

$5,550 - $11,375

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Cadillac CT6

$9,150 - $14,825

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Cadillac CTS

$7,025 - $38,475

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Cadillac XTS

$9,150 - $12,175

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet SS

$32,425

EPA MPG 16 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Infiniti Q70

$10,300 - $14,300

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Jaguar XF

$6,000 - $8,875

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Lexus ES

$14,950 - $16,650

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Lexus ES Hybrid

$16,650

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Lexus GS

$13,950 - $29,025

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Lincoln MKS

$9,450 - $11,500

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Lincoln MKZ

$7,000 - $10,350

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Maserati Ghibli

$8,200 - $11,425

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

$10,275 - $27,425

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volvo S80

$7,875 - $8,825

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volvo V60

$5,950 - $14,325

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volvo XC70

$8,225 - $12,550

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Luxury midsized cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 2 rear

AWD, Rear

3-liter V6 turbo (329 hp)
4.7-liter V8 turbo (402 hp)
5.5-liter V8 turbo (577 hp)

7-speed automatic
9-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2019-2023

2019 Redesign Year

Mercedes-Benz pioneered the modern four-door-coupe segment with the original CLS nearly a dozen years ago. Now, the redesigned third-generation CLS continues to rely on the same recipe: a sleek, low-slung sport sedan with some compromised visibility and cabin access. Fit and finish is excellent, but the controls are complicated. The CLS seats five people. The base engine is a 362-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine, marking Mercedes-Benz's return to a straight, inline six-cylinder. Basic driver assist systems are standard, including blind spot warning, active braking, and a driver-attention monitor. Consumers will have to pay for the optional package that includes active steering and adaptive cruise control.

2012-2018

2012 Redesign Year

The CLS has been extensively freshened and now has a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8. An AMG version with a 5.5-liter delivers ferocious acceleration. The coupelike styling results in a low roof, small windows, and reduced interior space that limits access, visibility, and rear-seat room. Handling is capable and surprisingly agile for such a large car. The ride is firm but supple and steady. Noise levels are hushed. Fit and finish is excellent, but the controls are complicated. A broad selection of the latest driver assistance technologies including forward collision prevention, lane tracking, lane departure warning and semi-automated parking are available.

2006-2011

2006 Redesign Year

Based upon the E-Class sedan, the CLS four-door coupe's low roof, small windows, and reduced interior space compromise access, outward visibility and rear-seat head- and legroom. The 5.0-liter V8 offers smooth and abundant power, but the seven-speed automatic often hesitated before downshifts and wasn't always smooth in our tests. A 6.3-liter AMG version is available. The quick steering offers good feedback, and the handling is capable, if not really sporty. Ride quality is mostly steady, but some side-to-side motions are annoying. Noise levels are hushed. Fit and finish are excellent, but the controls are complicated.