2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes CLS Class came into existence in the year 2006. It offers three trim levels which include CLS 550, CLS 550 4-Matic and CLS 63 S with CLS 550 being the most worthy trims. It comes at a price of $75,150 in which it got 4.7 L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 engine and 9-Speed 9G Tronic Transmission System which can produce the best torque among the class by giving power to the rear wheels.

Trims	Mercedes CLS 550
MSRP	$75,150
Features	18-inch twin 5-spoke wheels
	8-inch infotainment system with 14-speaker Harman Kardon Speakers
	14-way power adjustable seats with power Lumbar
	Seats with memory
	Heated front seats

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 is itself a trim level of Mercedes CLS-Class. CLS 550 offers 4.7 L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 type engine which produces a maximum power of 402 hp at 5000 rpm and maximum torque of 443 lb-ft. at 1600 rpm. It also uses 9-Speed 9G-Tronic transmission system which transmits the power to the rear wheels.

Some of the standard feature CLS 550 offers are infotainment system, interior lights, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, seats with memory and much more. Carbon-Ceramic brakes are the additional features which can be included in the car.

CLS 550 is a very quick and quiet car. Its engine offers the power of 402 hp which is quite remarkable. Even on the windy road, CLS can provide good body control and all of this comes at a price of $75,150.

Engine and Transmission

CLS 550 use 4.7 L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 Engine with 9-Speed 9G Tronic transmission system. This engine helps to generate 402 hp power and 443 lb-ft torque at its maximum at 5000 rpm and 1600 rpm respectively.

Models	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche Panamera 4S	Audi S7 Premium Plus
MSRP	$75,150	$96,000	$103,000	$81,200
Engine	4.7-L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8	4.4-liter Twinpower Turbo V-8	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 2.9 L/177	4.0-L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8
Transmission	9-speed 9G-Tronic	8-Speed Sport Automatic	8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) with Auto Start Stop function	Seven-speed S-Tronic® automatic transmissionÂ
Power	402 hp @ 5000 rpm	443 hp @ 5500 rpm	440hp @ 5,650 rpm	450 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	443 lb.-ft @ 1600 rpm	479 lb.-ft @ 2000 rpm	405 lb.-ft. @ 1,750 rpm	406 lb.-ft @ 1400 rpm

Mercedes CLS 550 is the most economical car among its rivals with the difference of $6,050 with the closest rival. It uses the biggest size of engine i.e. 4.7-L and the best transmission system among the class but it fails in the numbers of power and torque produced by its rivals. BMW 650i xDrive is the only rival which has better torque than CLS 550 but the later got worst produced power among the rivals.

Acceleration

CLS 550 is the slowest car around its class. It takes 4.9 seconds to clock 60 mph from standstill and 12.8 seconds to cover a quarter mile. It even emits a large amount of CO2 i.e. 8.4 Tons/year.

Models	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche Panamera 4S	Audi S7 Premium Plus
0-60 MPH	4.9 sec	4.3 sec	4.2 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter mile	12.8	12.8 sec	12.3 sec	12.2 sec
Engine	4.7-L	4.4-L	2.9L	4.0-L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	8.8	7.7	9.8

The quickest to reach 60 MPH from standstill by far is Porsche Panamera 4S a time of 4.2 seconds. The Cascada remains on the slowest with a time of 4.9 seconds, with a difference of 0.6 seconds with the closest rival. At the quarter mile mark, Panamera maintains its lead. Not only this, Panamera 4S is the most eco-friendly car.

Steering and Handling

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 uses Rack and Pinion type steering system which offers a turning diameter of 37 ft from curb to curb. The steering system is very quick and moves very sharply. The handling of CLS 550 is good even on the winding roads. For the routine drivers, CLS 550 is the pick of the cars.

Braking

CLS 550 performs well in the braking test. With disc brakes on all the wheels and ABS connected to all of them, 550 can stop from a speed of 70 mph n 153 ft which is not that bad. It uses very firm brake pedals even when used aggressively.

Model	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche Panamera 4S	Audi S7 Premium Plus
Brake Front(in)	14.2	14.7	12.9	15.4
Brake Rear(in)	12.6	13.6	13.0	14
Curb Weight(lbs)	4233	4570	4130	4486
70-0 MPH (ft.)	153	154	151	162

Porsche Panamera 4S is the lightest car among the class with the curb weight of 4130 lbs offers best braking system. It is the only rival among the class which got better numbers than CLS 550 with a difference of just 2 ft between them. Audi S7 Premium is the slowest to stop from the speed of 70 mph. It covers almost 162 ft before stopping which is 11 ft. more than Panamera.

CLS got 9-Speed 9G Tronic Transmissions and turbocharged engine which offers fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway which combines to make 21 mpg. It has a fuel tank capacity of approx. 21.1 gallons.

Model	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche 4S	Audi S7 Premium Plus
MPG (City)	18	17	21	16
MPG (Highway)	26	25	28	24
MPG (Combined)	21	20	24	18

Again Porsche Panamera 4S wins the race with Mercedes CLS 550 just sticking to the second position. Porsche is the only rival which got better fuel economy than Mercedes i.e. 24 mpg. Both BMW 650i xDrive and Audi S7 Premium Plus trails them with the combined fuel economy of 20 mpg and 24 mpg respectively.

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 got one of the most beautifully finished interior which adds on to great success to the car. Some of the best driver oriented interior features are provided under the hood.

Seating and Comfort

With the passenger capacity of four, CLS 550 has one of the best seats among the rivals. It got 14-way power adjustable seats and heated front seats for the better experience to the driver. It got sharp roof drop in the rear which makes getting out for the rear a bit discomfort but it got good visibility through the windshield.

Model	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche 4S	Audi S7
Passenger capacity	4	5	4	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.9/57.1/42.1	40.6/56.7/42.1	--/--/--	36.9/57.2/41.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.1/56.5/35	37/54.6/35.3	--/--/--	36.6/55.9/37

Comparing to the others, the BMW 650i by far provide the best space for the host. CLS 550 comes last among the rivals with Audi S7 securing second position just after the BMW 650i.

Infotainment

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 got beautifully finished interior and one of the best interior features. With 8 inch display of infotainment system and 14- speaker  Harman Kardon system, it has also got a Bluetooth connectivity and automatic air-conditioning. The music system can be upgraded to the Bang and Olufsen Premium surround-sound audio system.

Cargo/Trunk Volume

CLS 550 provides relatively narrower trunk volume than expected from the Mercedes. The volume behind the 2^nd row is 15.3 cube ft. which is the lowest among its rivals.

Model	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche 4S	Audi S7
Volume behind 2nd row (cube ft.)	15.3	16.2	17.4	24.5
2nd row folded (cube ft.)	NA	NA	46	NA

CLS 550 stands last here with the smallest cargo space in the class. Audi S7 provides the best trunk volume among the rivals i.e. 24.5 cube ft. which is almost 9 cube ft. bigger than that what Mercedes CLS 550 offers.

Interior Features-

• Leather Upholstered Interior
• 8-inch display infotainment system
• Heated front seats
• Memory seat
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 got sporty look with a very muscular body. It offers many good exterior features such as LED headlights, rear spoiler, 18” 5-Spoke wheels and many more.

Dimensions and weight

The 2018 Mercedes CLS 550 is 194.5 inches in length and 81.7 inches wide with side mirrors open. It is 55.8 inches in height. It got the ground clearance of 4.8 inches which helps to run smoother. Trackwidth is 62.9 inches and 64.1 inches in front and rear and Wheelbase is 113.2 inches which provide good rear space for the passengers.

Model	Mercedes CLS 550	BMW 650i xDrive	Porsche 4S	Audi S7
Curb weight(lbs)	4233	4570	4123	4486
Length(in)	194.5	197.2	198.8	196.3
Width(in) (w/o mirror)	81.7	74.6	76.3	75.2
Height(in)	55.8	54.8	56	55
Ground clearance(in)	4.8	5	--	4.4
Wheelbase(in)	113.2	116.9	116.1	114.8
Track width(in) F/R	62.9/64.1	63.2/65.8	65.8/65.0	64.6/64.3

When compared, Porsche Panamera 4S is the tallest car whereas CLS 550 is the widest car. BMW 650i got the best ground clearance that is 5 inches. It also has the best Wheelbase which means that provides the best space for the passengers.

Exterior Features

• Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers
• 18-inch dynamic twin 5-spoke wheels
• Tilting Glass Sunroof
• Daytime running lamps

Safety is the department which cannot be compromised at any terms. Many of the good safety features are included such as side impact beams, Airbags for both driver and passengers, Airbag occupancy sensors and many more. CLS 550 also provides mbrace2 Emergency S.O.S for the safety of driver. It also offers Collision Prevention Assist

Some of the standard features are given below:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Mbrace Emergency S.O.S
• Collision Prevention Assist Plus Forward Collision
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag, Driver And Passenger Pelvic Airbag
• Childseat Sensor and Rear Child Safety Locks
• First Aid Kit
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
• Back-Up Camera

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 Safety Reliability:

2018 Mercedes CLS 550 has not been rated by NHSTA and IIHS till now.

2018 BMW 650i xDrive

With a price difference of around $20,000 (Mercedes has a lower price), both use different types of engines. BMW with the smaller engine provides more torque and power than CLS 550 but the latter is more fuel efficient.

BMW 650i has higher curb weight than CLS 550 and offers better ground clearance. BMW with a passenger capacity of 5 provides better space for the hosts whereas CLS 550 has a passenger capacity of only 4.

2018 Porsche Panamera 4S

Porsche Panamera is clearly more exciting than Mercedes CLS 550. It is better than the latter in almost every department which include fuel efficiency, acceleration, and braking. Although being $28,000 more costly than CLS 550, it offers better torque, power and better transmission system.

2018 Audi S7 Premium Plus

Among all the long-term rivalries, Mercedes VS Audi is the most awaited one. Although Audi S7 being more expensive than Mercedes CLS, it provides better power. It lacks the Mercedes in the acceleration and braking test but offers almost same ground clearance and wheelbase to the CLS 550.

The 2018 Mercedes CLS 550 has the most reasonable price among its rivals offers one of the best features at that price. It has got a better engine compared to most of its rivals and also is mechanically very strong. The only issue with CLS 550 is the narrowed trunk volume. The Interior features that the Mercedes offers are one of the best. All the features are driver-oriented and easy to use. This makes the car to stand worthy in the competition.