Mercedes CLS 53 Review: Amazing Refinement, But Questionable AMG Credentials

The new Mercedes CLS is comfortable, incredibly refined and very clever, but the AMG 53 version isn't as thrilling as you might hope
Mercedes CLS 53 Review: Amazing Refinement, But Questionable AMG Credentials

The original Mercedes CLS caused something of a stir when it was first revealed way back in 2003. It looked like nothing else Stuttgart had ever made at that point, stuck out like a sore thumb in the range, and looked utterly classy. Hell, it still looks good 15 years on.

It effectively gave birth to the weird sub-segment of coupe-ish, mid-sized saloons now also populated by the Audi A7 Sportback and BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe, and even though the second-generation version was arguably a much more conservatively designed affair, it remained an interesting, stylish choice. It’s been usurped by the all-new ‘C257’ third-gen car, and the looks have been rather divisive. We’re currently on the fence, but we can’t help but find the placement of those headlights to be a bit off, while the rear-end does look a tad porky form some angles.

But we didn’t head to an snowy Barcelona (helpfully illustrated here by pictures taken on a different, considerably less treacherous day) to talk about looks. We went to drive the thing, specifically focusing on the quickest one in the current range. To give it its full name, it’s the Mercedes-AMG CLS53. And from the off, it’s a more impressive thing to pilot than the new A7 Sportback, which we sampled a few weeks prior.

Mercedes CLS 53 Review: Amazing Refinement, But Questionable AMG Credentials

The ride on the air suspension is incredibly smooth (non-53 models with air suspension are softer still), while laminated glass and masses of soundproofing materials help insulate you from the harshness of the outside world. You’re provided with a safe, leather and wood-festooned cocoon you’d genuinely contemplate living in.

The interior design is on the whole a success, with swoopy features and expensive-feeling materials, with only the odd small detail reminding you that Mercedes hasn’t quite matched Audi-levels of build quality. You won’t care about those, as in terms of refinement, this is a step above the A7.

That said, we’re not sold on the ‘Energising Comfort Control’. It has 10 minute programmes that alter the settings of things like the massage function, the fragrance dispenser (yes, it has one), the ambient lighting and more, all for the sake of your ‘wellness’. In reality, it just seems to result in the car smelling weird while you’re subjected to offensively generic music. It strikes us as a gimmick for the most part, although the ‘training’ programmes that deal with “muscle relaxation, muscle activation and balance” might actually be of genuine use to some.

Mercedes CLS 53 Review: Amazing Refinement, But Questionable AMG Credentials

When you start to press on, the CLS53 puts the relaxation stuff to one side, and offers up a generally satisfying drive. Body control is good, there’s a nice weight to the steering even if it feels a little aloof at times, and it’s generally up for being thrown around in a way that a near-two-tonne car shouldn’t.

The all-wheel drive system constantly switches between powering just the rear wheels or all four depending on how you drive, but the result is generally one of neutrality, occasionally giving a whiff of over or understeer. It’s all very safe and secure. But exciting? Not so much.

Granted, our test wasn’t under the best of circumstances, with those aforementioned weather conditions necessitating winter tyres which will have taken the edge off the handling a little. But even so, I’m pretty sure a dry hoon on summer tyres would yield another experience that’s satisfactory without being massively stimulating.

The CLS 53 isn't dramatically different to drive than the 450
The CLS 53 isn't dramatically different to drive than the 450

A big part of the problem is the CLS53’s engine, which isn’t really AMG-specific. Yes, it does get something called an EQ booster - an electric compressor that gives an extra 21bhp and 184lb ft kick for just under a second - which does make a noticeable difference to lag. But the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six itself is for the most part lifted straight from the CLS 450. In that version of the CLS it’s quiet, smooth and refined, but even with the 53’s ruder quad exhaust bolted on, it’s not the most raucous thing.

It makes a noise that’s best described as fine. Not terrible, but not inspiring either. The older V6 engines of the ‘43-badged AMGs have a gnarly attitude that’s missing here. The E43 (soon to be replaced by an E53, we expect) may have a similarly relaxed vibe to this CLS, but the C43 imparts an edginess that proves these ‘semi-skimmed’ AMG models can be properly exciting when done right.

The CLS53’s inline-six develops 429bhp and 384lb ft of torque, making for a 4.5 second 0-62mph time, so it’s not like the performance itself is the issue. It’s more about the way it’s delivered. It’s just never feels nor sounds all that fast.

Mercedes CLS 53 Review: Amazing Refinement, But Questionable AMG Credentials

Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised - Mercedes did describe the CLS53 and its E-Class coupe and cabriolet-based cousins as being for “an additional lifestyle-oriented customer group” when revealing the new 53 range. This all seems wrong for someone who grew up with the notion that AMGs should be powered by snarling V8s and have a generally mischievous disposition, but you can hardly blame Mercedes for wanting to expand the remit of its profitable sub-brand beyond rowdy tomfoolery.

If you do want a CLS, the 350d is probably going to be the one to go for, with the super-quiet petrol-powered 450 being a tempting option too. But despite this, the ‘sub-AMG’ CLS does still have a place. It possesses an intriguing blend of refinement and accessible performance, remaining utterly wafty despite the mild steroid injection. Just don’t go in expecting traditional AMG thrills.

Comments

TheMindGarage

From what I’ve read here and elsewhere, this seems too soft and wafty for an AMG. It seems to be more about effortless progress than driving enjoyment. I think they should just have called this the CLS530.

03/01/2018 - 23:23 |
12 | 0

This does bode well for them unleashing that AMG factor in a Panamericana grille’d 63 version 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

03/02/2018 - 19:16 |
0 | 0

But the S63 and S65 and all the SUV AMGs - the proper ones, not the 43s - are equally soft and wafty. Built for comfort with heap of performance bonus

03/02/2018 - 19:36 |
0 | 0
Joseph 'The Hound' Knight

I really don’t like the massive screen, I would want actual gauges. The interior loses all of its drama because someone just slapped a really big tablet on the dash. Look at the 2016 C63 AMG’s dash, although they did slap an ugly screen in the center, there are actual gauges and an enclosed cluster. It looks much more like a driver’s car if that makes any sense.

03/01/2018 - 23:28 |
82 | 2

I don’t mind a digital dashboard, but what Mercedes is doing is lazy design. For Audi and BMW, they shape the display to fit in the position where a traditional dashboard would be, and Mercedes could not be bothered to do that. I remember reading a YouTube comment about Mercedes perhaps have a good design in mind, but then give up and phoned LG to order a truckload of their cheapest LCD panel instead.

03/02/2018 - 01:04 |
34 | 0

I agree its nice to have physical controls and instrumentation…

03/02/2018 - 13:44 |
2 | 0

Just like anything in this world, cars interriors are losing its ‘soul’. Screens are just a proove to ‘soul losing’. Car will be like “you gonna drive, nah! You gonna touch my panels, play some music, while i drive myself.”. Where is the fun in that? Technology will swallow car industry, and there is nothing we can do about it.

03/05/2018 - 21:31 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Wait a minute, are those actual exhaust tips?? On a modern Mercedes!? 😱

03/01/2018 - 23:35 |
194 | 0
ItsChar

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Probably still fake

03/02/2018 - 02:16 |
68 | 4
Rahul 1

[DELETED]

03/01/2018 - 23:48 |
0 | 0
Jianyu Sun

First pic makes me like the design of the New CLS, which I hated two weeks ago :(

03/01/2018 - 23:55 |
22 | 2

Same here

03/02/2018 - 01:43 |
0 | 0

I think the black and the angle both help

03/02/2018 - 07:07 |
6 | 0
TheBagel

Me like!

03/02/2018 - 00:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

AMGs are supposed to be brutal and yet this one isn’t. Wafty and AMG just don’t go well together IMO.

03/02/2018 - 06:55 |
2 | 0
Jia the Supra Fanboy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

S63 AMG

03/02/2018 - 19:36 |
0 | 0
Tomislav Celić

Anything hybrid (even mild) and coupe-ish gets a thumbs up from me

03/02/2018 - 07:39 |
6 | 4
Anonymous

Beautiful.

03/02/2018 - 08:20 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Am i the only one who actually really likes the interior, especially the screen placement?

03/02/2018 - 08:23 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I love it too.

03/03/2018 - 11:31 |
2 | 0

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