2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class pioneered the concept of the "four-door coupe," which is basically a sedan with a rakish profile and consequent reduced practicality. It's a concept so successful that even regular old sedans are far sleeker today than their three-box predecessors. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 and AMG 53 you see here are of the all-new, third-generation model. To our eyes, it is the sleekest and most genuinely coupe-like yet. Although it's less special now given similar styles spread throughout the Mercedes lineup, the new CLS is still an exquisite car to behold inside and out. When it was parked outside our office, we couldn't help but stare out the window. Beyond its looks, however, it's an impeccably crafted luxury car with impressive engineering throughout that stacks up favorably to any of its luxury sedan/coupe competitors such as the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera. As always, though, some will see questionable value in the CLS. It's less practical and spacious than an E-Class, yet it costs considerably more. However, there's usually a price to be paid for fashion, and with the latest CLS at least, you certainly get what you pay for in that regard. What's new for 2019? The CLS is all-new for 2019, which we highlight in our first drive review. It retains the familiar sedan/coupe silhouette that the original CLS introduced to the world, but has been updated with Mercedes latest design aesthetic. The interior effectively adopts the latest E-Class interior, but not the newest MBUX tech interface. Mechanically, there's a new platform shared with the latest E-Class, but the big news is what's under the hood. Gone are V8 engines, and in their place two versions of a new turbocharged inline-six engine paired to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The result is excellent performance and fuel economy. What's the CLS interior and in-car technology like? Though its design is effectively shared with the E-Class, that doesn't take away from the fact that the cabin is gorgeous. If anything, it matches the sleek CLS better. Organic curves meet high-tech screens, while its sumptuous wood, soft leather and richly detailed metal are a feast for your eyes and fingers. It's quite special. It's also functional, with plenty of storage up front. We're less enamored with the in-car technology, which can overwhelm. It's the previous-generation Mercedes tech interface, which feels like a missing link between the simpler yet more intuitive system it replaced and the newer, more sophisticated MBUX interface that benefits from improved and additional interfaces. Although the CLS system's UI is pretty similar to MBUX, it retains the weird glossy touchpad that hovers above a control knob. Both are awkwardly placed, and unlike MBUX, the 12.3-inch main display isn't a touchscreen. We would expect MBUX to show up in the CLS next year or for 2021. In terms of feature content, every CLS comes with the 12.3-inch main display, but the second one is an option that replaces a traditional gauge pack. The CLS also comes standard with …
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