Overall Rating |  |
CLK seats four in the most stylish way. The Cabrio has a brilliant folding soft-top; both bodies offer a wide choice of engines. There are just two budget choices: expensive or very expensive.
For
- Very desirable image; elegant body styling
- Comfortable for four adults plus luggage
- Excellent engines, enjoyable driving experience
Against
- Hood stowage in cabriolet reduces rear space
- Costlier than 3-Series coupe and convertible
- High insurance groups, expensive extras
Road Test
That the CLK Cabrio has a soft fabric roof and not a folding metal one is a good thing. On a practical level it means there is more room in the boot, but with the roof up there is no loss in refinement and quietness, even at speed.
Unlike so many convertibles, it will genuinely seat four and back seat passengers only get slightly ruffled at speed.
CLK feels very strong and rigid; that means it can be driven in a sporty manner. There is a wide range of engine options from the just about adequate 200K to high performance V8 models. However the CLK is best experienced as a comfortable cruiser rather than a high speed convertible. It's all about a relaxing drive, enjoying yourself and arriving fresh.
It's expensive to buy, but huge demand means but holds its value strongly and is easy to resell.
Need To Know
JD Power stars: 4
Best Models: CLK 240 and CLK 270 CDI
Worst Models: CLK 500
Replacement: 2009
Alternatives
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Star Ratings
Handling  Comfort Quality & Reliability Performance Roominess Running Costs Value for Money Stereo/Sat Nav  |
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