Been driving mine for 2 years now. It's the kind of car that you find yourself driving 20 miles to get a pint of milk. Relaxing when you are in no hurry, aggressive when you want it to be. Surprisingly fuel consumption is really good when driving steadily long distance.
Nigh on $200K for a squeaky/creaky interior, which will be lucky to be worth half its price in two years? These seem to be essentially disposable cars, which you wouldn’t dream of keeping beyond its warranty. Looks good though and it’s hard to deny the significant (but fleeting) showroom appeal. I’ll have to admire these from a distance.
I've had a few C63s, as I age, this CLS would be the preferred car for the same money. I see that there is already a leaf in the front oil cooler/radiator area. The modern AMGs collect leaves there better than a groundsman with a leaf blower. They are also hard to get out!
Great review as always Tom. Your channel has the most thorough reviews on YT. I'm a Volvo addict and appreciate your comprehensive reviews on my favourite manufacturer, thank you. (I think you're pro Volvo too ey??)
Can someone please, pleeeease tell me why we're switching to capacitive touch buttons where the button is single use!? It's ludicrous. It doesn't scream luxury to me, a properly damped and clicky button does.
The best looking generation of CLS thus far. Proportionally more cohesive than an A7 but front end could blend with a touch more aggressiveness. I like it!
Tom, you've nailed my issue with MB Australia. why can't I get the nice motor in a MB gentleman's outfit with more suspension compliance? The AMG front end is a JDM add-on.
Completely agree as well. Not everyone wants a sporty car, and not everyone wants something that looks and sounds so brutish. I think AMG these days have started to attract the younger (wrong) crowd to Mercedes, who don't appreciate what the brand actually stands for. The older "classic" AMGs like the C36 and E36 is exactly what an AMG should be, in my opinion - sleepers, which eschew tacky plastic oversized air intakes for a more understated styling package that retains the classic Mercedes-Benz lines. These are the sorts of cars which will appeal to people who know, because they don't scream and shout. They speak softly, but carry a big stick - to coin a phrase. To further complicate things, as Tom mentioned, there is no other option. Here in Australia, we have so-called "product planners" deciding what we should be allowed to have, whereas I've just tried to configure a new car on Mercedes' German website and I could have practically anything I want, and configure the car to almost exactly the spec I want, without compromise. If I'm paying six figures for a Mercedes-Benz, I want to be able to tick the option boxes myself.
Honestly the downside of all these luxury European cars is that they can't even upgrade cooled seats for a hot country like Australia, when the option is available on an Hyundai i20 but not an E300 you starting to wonder if they even do the slightest bit of market research
Totally agree. Heck - ventilated seats came as standard in the Kia Cerato SLi all the way back in 2014. Mercedes (and Audi) can and should do MUCH better in cars that cost 6-7x more!
Spot on review, Tom. What a superb car! Fuel efficient, luxurious, sporty all ingredients for a must have prestige vehicle. However CLA and CLS series of Benz have been plague with issues in the past. I do hope the new CLS is reliable enough and there is an improvement in their reliability and ownership experience . Time will tell.
Just notice that you guys have passed 100K follower, congratulations! Why not make a video of Q&A about the channel and prapare some giveaway to followers :)
For me they are just asking for trouble once the warranty runs out. As those service intervals are really pushing the boundaries (personal opinion). I also wish Merc would bring back the elegance trim level for the more traditional buyers.
Pretty much sums up MB these days. Understated cool luxury has given way to chase $$ and they are in their right to do so. They sell more c-class than camrys per year
True, and you are correct that it is their right to take the brand in whatever direction the shareholders see fit - but for lovers of old-school understated luxe Benz cars like me, it’s pleasant that there are still some absolute gems in the range like this CLS
Sir i dont know what kind of merc ypu getnin australia but believe me the base burmester stero is miles better than the base BW , B&o and harman kardon and when you upgrade to then full 3d spind itsn light years better sp maybe in your market its bad bit in EU its the best in business.
Not true. Creaks because of the layers on the car. Built like a tank and reliable still for me still and value better than any 4dr Merc and car in its class
Lol, haptic feedback controls. No just on that one feature (not that I would be buying this anyway). Please, please, please manufactures STOP thinking haptic controls are desirable. If anything I would expect the cheapest, lowest quality cars to have haptic feedback buttons as the manufacture is too miserable to spend money on real controls. Medium to high end quality should ALWAYS, always be tactile mechanical buttons.
I find the current generation the most disappointing of the three, it's as though they've given up on it by ditching the proper Merc V8 fearing it would steal sales away from the AMG GT 4 Door, and by discontinuing the wonderful Shooting Brake version, worse yet, they also discontinued the full length centre console and gave it a boring bench seat at the back! Such a shame and more of a reason to find myself a CLS400 Shooting Brake in the next year or so!
Engine power and torque for the CLS53 is 320kW (429hp) and 520Nm. One title in this video accidentally misstates these numbers.
Once upon a time we had the E400 in Australia 🇦🇺 as a non AMG V6 force inducted car without the supposed AMG price tag. I would opt for one of those.
IMO this channel is one of the channels i trust the most in the Australian Automotive content out of the thousands of channels! keep it up guys!
Great review Tom.
As a female watching your reviews, Chasing cars allows me to understand cars more without feeling confused.
Cheers 🤗
Been driving mine for 2 years now. It's the kind of car that you find yourself driving 20 miles to get a pint of milk. Relaxing when you are in no hurry, aggressive when you want it to be. Surprisingly fuel consumption is really good when driving steadily long distance.
This is the best review I've ever watched
Keep going 👍
Elegance trim, classic grille, star on the bonnet. Three cheers for Tom, I couldn't agree more.
Nigh on $200K for a squeaky/creaky interior, which will be lucky to be worth half its price in two years?
These seem to be essentially disposable cars, which you wouldn’t dream of keeping beyond its warranty.
Looks good though and it’s hard to deny the significant (but fleeting) showroom appeal. I’ll have to admire these from a distance.
They need to bring back The Shooting Brake version of the CLS.
I've had a few C63s, as I age, this CLS would be the preferred car for the same money. I see that there is already a leaf in the front oil cooler/radiator area. The modern AMGs collect leaves there better than a groundsman with a leaf blower. They are also hard to get out!
Great review as always Tom. Your channel has the most thorough reviews on YT. I'm a Volvo addict and appreciate your comprehensive reviews on my favourite manufacturer, thank you. (I think you're pro Volvo too ey??)
Thanks! I am pro-good cars, no matter who makes them.
Can someone please, pleeeease tell me why we're switching to capacitive touch buttons where the button is single use!? It's ludicrous. It doesn't scream luxury to me, a properly damped and clicky button does.
Had and has all 3 CLS generations. All ways get a nice surprise.
Another great review mate! unbiased like always although I'm myself a fan of MB!
Another awesome review thank you
The best looking generation of CLS thus far. Proportionally more cohesive than an A7 but front end could blend with a touch more aggressiveness. I like it!
It's more the best copy of all other MB. Previous two generations was something special, this is not!.
Tom, you've nailed my issue with MB Australia. why can't I get the nice motor in a MB gentleman's outfit with more suspension compliance? The AMG front end is a JDM add-on.
Completely agree as well. Not everyone wants a sporty car, and not everyone wants something that looks and sounds so brutish. I think AMG these days have started to attract the younger (wrong) crowd to Mercedes, who don't appreciate what the brand actually stands for. The older "classic" AMGs like the C36 and E36 is exactly what an AMG should be, in my opinion - sleepers, which eschew tacky plastic oversized air intakes for a more understated styling package that retains the classic Mercedes-Benz lines. These are the sorts of cars which will appeal to people who know, because they don't scream and shout. They speak softly, but carry a big stick - to coin a phrase.
To further complicate things, as Tom mentioned, there is no other option. Here in Australia, we have so-called "product planners" deciding what we should be allowed to have, whereas I've just tried to configure a new car on Mercedes' German website and I could have practically anything I want, and configure the car to almost exactly the spec I want, without compromise. If I'm paying six figures for a Mercedes-Benz, I want to be able to tick the option boxes myself.
Honestly the downside of all these luxury European cars is that they can't even upgrade cooled seats for a hot country like Australia, when the option is available on an Hyundai i20 but not an E300 you starting to wonder if they even do the slightest bit of market research
Totally agree. Heck - ventilated seats came as standard in the Kia Cerato SLi all the way back in 2014.
Mercedes (and Audi) can and should do MUCH better in cars that cost 6-7x more!
They don't have optional cooled seats out there? Thru really build yal cars different
Stunningly beautiful and elegant Merc.
Engine sounds beautiful
Spot on review, Tom. What a superb car! Fuel efficient, luxurious, sporty all ingredients for a must have prestige vehicle. However CLA and CLS series of Benz have been plague with issues in the past. I do hope the new CLS is reliable enough and there is an improvement in their reliability and ownership experience . Time will tell.
I’ve owned every model of the CLS and they’ve all been mechanically sound. The car eats tires though.
Just notice that you guys have passed 100K follower, congratulations!
Why not make a video of Q&A about the channel and prapare some giveaway to followers :)
For me they are just asking for trouble once the warranty runs out. As those service intervals are really pushing the boundaries (personal opinion). I also wish Merc would bring back the elegance trim level for the more traditional buyers.
Hi Tom, how is the space of back seat when installed with baby seat?
The steering wheel on mine doesn't creak at all! It's the 2019/20 model assembled in Thailand. Where was the one you reviewed assembled?
which car do you recommend more.....the a7 or this mercedes
Tom Baker . We both watched Crowded House sizzle up the charts.
Great review mate. Just wondering you say the motor makes 320kw yet the pop up in the review says 217kw.. Is that correct mate?
Pretty much sums up MB these days. Understated cool luxury has given way to chase $$ and they are in their right to do so. They sell more c-class than camrys per year
True, and you are correct that it is their right to take the brand in whatever direction the shareholders see fit - but for lovers of old-school understated luxe Benz cars like me, it’s pleasant that there are still some absolute gems in the range like this CLS
Sir i dont know what kind of merc ypu getnin australia but believe me the base burmester stero is miles better than the base BW , B&o and harman kardon and when you upgrade to then full 3d spind itsn light years better sp maybe in your market its bad bit in EU its the best in business.
You cam tighten the bolsters
This seems an excellent car which is slightly disappointing. Good review, as always.
Why does Mercedes charge so much more services compared to its E53 counterpart? I'm guessing because they can given it's an identical drivetrain
I own one 2023 CLS-450 in US no steering squick on mine.
Ive only seen these generation in thailand , never seen one in Oz yet
Hi Tom love your videos I thought the Burmester sound system was ment to be very good. If you're myopic you should be able to see up close
The Burmester was good, but not great in terms of clarity.
@@chasingcars need to hear the optional version, much more impressive
Can we opt air suspension for this car
No - just adaptive dampers (which are standard), but the ride is excellent
How my power can they milk out of this with downpipes and tune
this 3rd gen CLS definitely has a reminiscent look of the quirky and tight 1st gen styling; which i appreciate. The 2nd gen looked bloated.
Agree
Good review Tom, good car, but I'd go for an Audi A7. Why? More cohesive interior with nicer layout. Not as overtly sporty. Nicer styling IMO.
Lower build quality and more recalls than any other car brand. What's happening at Mercedes Benz?
Car suits you Tom
This CLS53's style is really similar looking like a Audi S5!
They all look like this. Other way around
Exactly Tom, the interior lighting just made it looks cheap, thank you
That steering wheel flimsiness is unacceptable at this price.
What is there to test? A cls is a cls.
Only a comparison video with its rivals wud make sense
If we applied that logic to everything we reviewed, we'd have no videos!
I prefer the looks of my W218
3:45 What do you expect when you want things to be cheap and aerodynamic? It’s gonna creak.
Not true. Creaks because of the layers on the car. Built like a tank and reliable still for me still and value better than any 4dr Merc and car in its class
Bmw sound system is trash especially the Audi, thats the regular sound system in that car, you need the 23 speaker 3d system
I always ask myself it its the old man in me too.. ;). ;) ;) get it.. hehe hehe.
I’ll stick to my A7. Mercedes Benz build quality is inexcusably poor considering the price of entry.
Lol, haptic feedback controls. No just on that one feature (not that I would be buying this anyway).
Please, please, please manufactures STOP thinking haptic controls are desirable. If anything I would expect the cheapest, lowest quality cars to have haptic feedback buttons as the manufacture is too miserable to spend money on real controls.
Medium to high end quality should ALWAYS, always be tactile mechanical buttons.
I find the current generation the most disappointing of the three, it's as though they've given up on it by ditching the proper Merc V8 fearing it would steal sales away from the AMG GT 4 Door, and by discontinuing the wonderful Shooting Brake version, worse yet, they also discontinued the full length centre console and gave it a boring bench seat at the back! Such a shame and more of a reason to find myself a CLS400 Shooting Brake in the next year or so!
That creaky steering wheel made it sound like a cheap car. 🤔 if you pay 180k you don't want to be confronted with that.....
Mercedes so called "Customer Service" is so lacking....will never buy a new mercedes ever again.
Looks low and mean
The price of this is laughable.
Buy a BMW. Better quality & better functionality!
Lease one, don't buy one!