Reviews - Mercedes

Overall Rating

CL is big, fast and luxurious everything you'd expect from a machine like this. Of course it's expensive, but you do get what you pay for: an over-the-top super-coupe experience.

• Imposing looks, prestige and performance
• Good to drive despite its size
• Refined, roomy and very comfortable indeed

• Very expensive to buy and run
• Much higher depreciation than lesser Mercs
• Too ostentatious and overpriced for many buyers

Supercars don't have to be cramped and compromised. CL is proof that you can also enjoy real world day-to-day practicality and comfort. Unlike most rivals, you can easily get four on board a CL. At the front, the seats are wonderfully comfortable and sophisticated, whilst the generous rear seats easily accommodate two adults. There's a lot of technology to keep the CL on the road at speed and it needs it, especially with the larger engines. The V8 and V12 make wonderful noises and supply almost limitless power. This sporty character combines brilliantly with the sheer opulence of the interior and the high-tech fittings. But all this makes owning a CL very expensive because of its thirst, sky high insurance and servicing costs, plus far steeper depreciation than is usual with a Mercedes. Cost issues won't bother most buyers at this level. They appreciate exactly what they are buying into: high-roller high-performance luxury.

NCAP: Not tested

Best Models: CL500

Worst Models: CL600 adds to the cost but not to the experience

Replacement: 2007

• BMW 6-Series
• Jaguar XK8
• Porsche 911