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2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 550 Review
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 550 Review
Up frontRankings & Research
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class's #1 ranking is based on its score within the 2014 Luxury Large Cars category. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has a score of 8.0 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 18 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Overview
Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class a Good Used Car?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a good option if you’re shopping for a used luxury large car. Considered a four-door coupe due to its sweptback roofline, the CLS pleases with potent engine options, an agile yet comfortable ride, and elegant styling inside and out. It’s a sedan that drives as confidently on twisting canyon roads as it does cruising down the highway. It’s not without its drawbacks, though. The CLS isn’t as practical as many of its class rivals, which offer roomier rear seats.
Used 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Performance and Interior
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is available with three twin-turbocharged engine options. The CLS550 base model has a 402-horsepower V8. The CLS63 AMG gets a 550-horsepower V8, and the CLS63 AMG S-Model shares a pumped-up 577-horsepower version of this engine. Each is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The CLS550 has standard rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available. Both AMG models feature Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 that sends 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. On the CLS550 4Matic, power goes to all four wheels through an all-wheel-drive system.
In Moda Cars performance testing, a rear-wheel-drive CLS550 went from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds -- truly impressive performance for a V8-powered sedan of this size. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg combined (17 mpg city/25 mpg highway) for the rear-drive CLS550, while 4Matic is rated at 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city/24 highway).
The CLS63 AMG gets a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that makes 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque, and a specialized seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels through its standard AWD system. If that's not good enough, the CLS63 AMG S-Model pumps out a massive 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, thanks to a slight increase in turbo boost pressure and revised engine software. The estimated fuel economy on both versions of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is 19 mpg combined (16 city/25 highway).
Regardless of engine choice, all CLS models move up to speed with confidence and offer robust passing power on the highway. The transmission’s quick yet seamless shifts deserve part of that praise. The CLS550 can sprint to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds; AMG models make it in under 4 seconds. Fuel economy ranges from 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the CLS550 to 16/22 mpg city/highway with the AMG models, which is on par with class standards. The CLS strikes a superb balance between ride comfort and athletic handling. The sedan has quick steering and feels remarkably planted through tight turns, yet its adaptive suspension yields a smooth ride and isolates passengers from all but the harshest bumps and dips in the road.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS pleases with graceful interior styling and top-notch materials. The CLS is somewhat impractical as a family sedan, with seating for only four. The plush, supportive front seats provide fine comfort over long drives. There’s ample head- and legroom upfront as well. The rear seats are separated by a center console with storage cubbies. The back seat is a squeeze for tall passengers; the coupe-like roofline cuts heavily into the rear headroom, and the rear legroom is tight. There are two full sets of LATCH connectors for securing child car seats. Heated front seats and leather upholstery are standard; ventilated front seats and a massaging driver’s seat are available. The CLS has a decent 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space.
Mercedes equips all CLS sedans with a 7-inch infotainment screen, a navigation system, AM/FM/Satellite radio, Bluetooth, and USB and SD card plugs. The COMAND infotainment system uses a control knob located on the center console and additional dashboard buttons. The system reacts quickly to inputs, but accessing several simple functions can feel overly complex.
Used 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Prices
The price of a used 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class ranges from about $39,800 for a CLS550 sedan to around $60,500 for a CLS63 AMG S-Model. Prices vary depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, features, and location.
We Did the Research for You: 18 Reviews Analyzed
We’ve researched 18 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
How Reliable Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS has solid reliability, earning a score of four out of five from J.D. Power and Associates.
How Safe Is the CLS-Class?
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has published crash test results for the 2014 CLS-Class.
The CLS is available with many advanced safety features, including forwarding collision warning with brake assist (Pre-Safe Brake), adaptive cruise control (Distronic Plus), blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, parallel park assist (Parktronic), rearview and night vision cameras, and adaptive pivoting headlights. All models are equipped with a driver drowsiness monitor as standard equipment.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The cost of insuring a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.
Every 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class features standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front knee airbags, front side airbags (both torso and pelvic), full-length curtain airbags, and the Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 telematics system (smartphone integration and Web-based apps that include remote controls, driver monitoring, and emergency services). Also standard is Attention Assist (a driver drowsiness and alerting monitor) and PreSafe (it anticipates an imminent crash and automatically takes measures to better secure occupants).
Options include rear side airbags, infrared night-view sensors, and rearview parking sensors. The Driver Assistance package adds blind-spot and lane-departure systems; the active version of this package takes action should you fail to heed those warnings. A rearview camera is also optional.
In Moda Cars brake testing, a CLS550 with optional summer tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 108 feet, which is excellent but just a tad better than average for the class.
Should I Consider Another Used CLS-Class?
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS marks the third model year of the vehicle’s second generation. Updates for 2014 included a new CLS63 AMG S-Model with 577 horsepower and the addition of standard all-wheel drive in both AMG variants. The CLS-Class was otherwise unchanged, so you may find similarly equipped 2012 and 2013 models at significantly lower prices.
Which Used Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Is Right for Me?
Mercedes offers the 2014 CLS-Class in three trim levels: CLS550, CLS63 AMG, and CLS63 AMG S. All share the same standard equipment, which includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a navigation system, a 7-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a CD player, a USB input, remote keyless entry, embrace internet connectivity, a driver drowsiness monitor, and a sunroof. Available features include ventilated front seats, driver’s seat massaging, a suite of active safety features, and proximity keyless entry (Keyless-Go), which unlocks the doors automatically.
You may also want to consider a certified pre-owned CLS-Class. Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned vehicles come with the balance of the original four-year/50,000-mile new-car warranty, plus an additional one-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. If the new-car warranty is expired, you’ll just receive the one-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. Every Mercedes-Benz CPO vehicle must pass a 164-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Mercedes-Benz warranty page carefully.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Other Cars to Consider
Which Is Better: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The 2014 Mercedes E-Class and CLS-Class sedans are built on the same vehicle platform and share many safety and convenience features. Both have refined driving dynamics and impeccably dressed interiors. However, the E-Class is the better luxury car – and the better buy. The luxury midsize E-Class has a roomier cabin with better headroom and seating for five, offers more engine options (including an efficient V6, hybrid, and turbodiesel), and typically costs much less to buy and maintain.
Which Is Better: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or 2014 Audi A7?
The Audi A7 mirrors the CLS’s slender four-door coupe body style. Both luxury vehicles offer sumptuous interiors, many advanced safety features, satisfying handling, and muscular V8 engines. Unlike the CLS, however, the A7 has a hatchback with far more cargo space. It’s also available with potent yet efficient V6 engines, and it scores better for reliability and ownership costs. The Audi is the better pick.
Driving
Simply put, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 drives beautifully. The adaptive air suspension and variable dampers provide secure handling and impressive ride quality. The electrically assisted steering offers good feedback, loads up naturally, and quickens the more you turn, making the CLS feel smaller than it is. Also helping that effort is a "base" engine that utterly flattens you into your seat with a simple brush of the pedal. It's hard to imagine needing any more power.
But you might not need to imagine very hard once you've dropped yourself into the CLS63 and feel its glorious, twin-turbo V8 at work. This is a truly majestic power plant, and it's complemented by a transmission that swaps gears with surgical precision.
The addition of standard all-wheel-drive on the 2014 CLS63 AMG makes it a more capable car for buyers living in cold climates. We haven't driven the 4Matic version of the CLS63 yet, but based on our experience with the E63 AMG 4Matic, the AWD system should enhance control on dry pavement as well.
Which Is Better: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or 2014 BMW 6 Series?
The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is another four-door coupe cut from a similar cloth as the CLS. Both impress with brisk engine performance, balanced handling, and top-notch interiors. The BMW earns particular praise for its user-friendly infotainment system. Ultimately, both trail the A7 with higher ownership costs and less trunk space, but if you had to pick one, the CLS’s stronger reliability rating gives it the edge.
Interior
As with the exterior, the CLS cabin takes the current Mercedes-Benz design aesthetic and makes it more organic and curvaceous. Materials are beyond reproach. The control layout is similar to the E-Class, though the CLS swaps in an analog clock and the older knob-style climate controls instead of newer toggle buttons. Stepping up to the CLS63 4Matic adds a chunky AMG wheel and fills the center console with AMG vehicle controls and the MCT transmission selector (complete with an embossed AMG crest) instead of the 550's electronic shift lever on the steering column.
With its low, racy roof line and two-passenger backseat, the 2014 Mercedes CLS isn't an ideal people carrier. If you frequently ferry people around or have particularly tall friends, opting for the less expensive E-Class is probably a wiser idea. Trunk space is pretty generous, however, with 15.3 cubic feet available.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class's #1 ranking is based on its score within the 2014 Luxury Large Cars category. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has a score of 8.0 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 18 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Overview
Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class a Good Used Car?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a good option if you’re shopping for a used luxury large car. Considered a four-door coupe due to its sweptback roofline, the CLS pleases with potent engine options, an agile yet comfortable ride, and elegant styling inside and out. It’s a sedan that drives as confidently on twisting canyon roads as it does cruising down the highway. It’s not without its drawbacks, though. The CLS isn’t as practical as many of its class rivals, which offer roomier rear seats.
Used 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Performance and Interior
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is available with three twin-turbocharged engine options. The CLS550 base model has a 402-horsepower V8. The CLS63 AMG gets a 550-horsepower V8, and the CLS63 AMG S-Model shares a pumped-up 577-horsepower version of this engine. Each is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The CLS550 has standard rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available. Both AMG models feature Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 that sends 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. On the CLS550 4Matic, power goes to all four wheels through an all-wheel-drive system.
In Moda Cars performance testing, a rear-wheel-drive CLS550 went from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds -- truly impressive performance for a V8-powered sedan of this size. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg combined (17 mpg city/25 mpg highway) for the rear-drive CLS550, while 4Matic is rated at 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city/24 highway).
The CLS63 AMG gets a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that makes 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque, and a specialized seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels through its standard AWD system. If that's not good enough, the CLS63 AMG S-Model pumps out a massive 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, thanks to a slight increase in turbo boost pressure and revised engine software. The estimated fuel economy on both versions of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is 19 mpg combined (16 city/25 highway).
Regardless of engine choice, all CLS models move up to speed with confidence and offer robust passing power on the highway. The transmission’s quick yet seamless shifts deserve part of that praise. The CLS550 can sprint to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds; AMG models make it in under 4 seconds. Fuel economy ranges from 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the CLS550 to 16/22 mpg city/highway with the AMG models, which is on par with class standards. The CLS strikes a superb balance between ride comfort and athletic handling. The sedan has quick steering and feels remarkably planted through tight turns, yet its adaptive suspension yields a smooth ride and isolates passengers from all but the harshest bumps and dips in the road.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS pleases with graceful interior styling and top-notch materials. The CLS is somewhat impractical as a family sedan, with seating for only four. The plush, supportive front seats provide fine comfort over long drives. There’s ample head- and legroom upfront as well. The rear seats are separated by a center console with storage cubbies. The back seat is a squeeze for tall passengers; the coupe-like roofline cuts heavily into the rear headroom, and the rear legroom is tight. There are two full sets of LATCH connectors for securing child car seats. Heated front seats and leather upholstery are standard; ventilated front seats and a massaging driver’s seat are available. The CLS has a decent 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space.
Mercedes equips all CLS sedans with a 7-inch infotainment screen, a navigation system, AM/FM/Satellite radio, Bluetooth, and USB and SD card plugs. The COMAND infotainment system uses a control knob located on the center console and additional dashboard buttons. The system reacts quickly to inputs, but accessing several simple functions can feel overly complex.
Used 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Prices
The price of a used 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class ranges from about $39,800 for a CLS550 sedan to around $60,500 for a CLS63 AMG S-Model. Prices vary depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, features, and location.
We Did the Research for You: 18 Reviews Analyzed
We’ve researched 18 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
How Reliable Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS has solid reliability, earning a score of four out of five from J.D. Power and Associates.
How Safe Is the CLS-Class?
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has published crash test results for the 2014 CLS-Class.
The CLS is available with many advanced safety features, including forwarding collision warning with brake assist (Pre-Safe Brake), adaptive cruise control (Distronic Plus), blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, parallel park assist (Parktronic), rearview and night vision cameras, and adaptive pivoting headlights. All models are equipped with a driver drowsiness monitor as standard equipment.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The cost of insuring a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.
Every 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class features standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front knee airbags, front side airbags (both torso and pelvic), full-length curtain airbags, and the Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 telematics system (smartphone integration and Web-based apps that include remote controls, driver monitoring, and emergency services). Also standard is Attention Assist (a driver drowsiness and alerting monitor) and PreSafe (it anticipates an imminent crash and automatically takes measures to better secure occupants).
Options include rear side airbags, infrared night-view sensors, and rearview parking sensors. The Driver Assistance package adds blind-spot and lane-departure systems; the active version of this package takes action should you fail to heed those warnings. A rearview camera is also optional.
In Moda Cars brake testing, a CLS550 with optional summer tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 108 feet, which is excellent but just a tad better than average for the class.
Should I Consider Another Used CLS-Class?
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS marks the third model year of the vehicle’s second generation. Updates for 2014 included a new CLS63 AMG S-Model with 577 horsepower and the addition of standard all-wheel drive in both AMG variants. The CLS-Class was otherwise unchanged, so you may find similarly equipped 2012 and 2013 models at significantly lower prices.
Which Used Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Is Right for Me?
Mercedes offers the 2014 CLS-Class in three trim levels: CLS550, CLS63 AMG, and CLS63 AMG S. All share the same standard equipment, which includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a navigation system, a 7-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a CD player, a USB input, remote keyless entry, embrace internet connectivity, a driver drowsiness monitor, and a sunroof. Available features include ventilated front seats, driver’s seat massaging, a suite of active safety features, and proximity keyless entry (Keyless-Go), which unlocks the doors automatically.
You may also want to consider a certified pre-owned CLS-Class. Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned vehicles come with the balance of the original four-year/50,000-mile new-car warranty, plus an additional one-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. If the new-car warranty is expired, you’ll just receive the one-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. Every Mercedes-Benz CPO vehicle must pass a 164-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Mercedes-Benz warranty page carefully.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Other Cars to Consider
Which Is Better: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The 2014 Mercedes E-Class and CLS-Class sedans are built on the same vehicle platform and share many safety and convenience features. Both have refined driving dynamics and impeccably dressed interiors. However, the E-Class is the better luxury car – and the better buy. The luxury midsize E-Class has a roomier cabin with better headroom and seating for five, offers more engine options (including an efficient V6, hybrid, and turbodiesel), and typically costs much less to buy and maintain.
Which Is Better: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or 2014 Audi A7?
The Audi A7 mirrors the CLS’s slender four-door coupe body style. Both luxury vehicles offer sumptuous interiors, many advanced safety features, satisfying handling, and muscular V8 engines. Unlike the CLS, however, the A7 has a hatchback with far more cargo space. It’s also available with potent yet efficient V6 engines, and it scores better for reliability and ownership costs. The Audi is the better pick.
Driving
Simply put, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 drives beautifully. The adaptive air suspension and variable dampers provide secure handling and impressive ride quality. The electrically assisted steering offers good feedback, loads up naturally, and quickens the more you turn, making the CLS feel smaller than it is. Also helping that effort is a "base" engine that utterly flattens you into your seat with a simple brush of the pedal. It's hard to imagine needing any more power.
But you might not need to imagine very hard once you've dropped yourself into the CLS63 and feel its glorious, twin-turbo V8 at work. This is a truly majestic power plant, and it's complemented by a transmission that swaps gears with surgical precision.
The addition of standard all-wheel-drive on the 2014 CLS63 AMG makes it a more capable car for buyers living in cold climates. We haven't driven the 4Matic version of the CLS63 yet, but based on our experience with the E63 AMG 4Matic, the AWD system should enhance control on dry pavement as well.
Which Is Better: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or 2014 BMW 6 Series?
The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is another four-door coupe cut from a similar cloth as the CLS. Both impress with brisk engine performance, balanced handling, and top-notch interiors. The BMW earns particular praise for its user-friendly infotainment system. Ultimately, both trail the A7 with higher ownership costs and less trunk space, but if you had to pick one, the CLS’s stronger reliability rating gives it the edge.
Interior
As with the exterior, the CLS cabin takes the current Mercedes-Benz design aesthetic and makes it more organic and curvaceous. Materials are beyond reproach. The control layout is similar to the E-Class, though the CLS swaps in an analog clock and the older knob-style climate controls instead of newer toggle buttons. Stepping up to the CLS63 4Matic adds a chunky AMG wheel and fills the center console with AMG vehicle controls and the MCT transmission selector (complete with an embossed AMG crest) instead of the 550's electronic shift lever on the steering column.
With its low, racy roof line and two-passenger backseat, the 2014 Mercedes CLS isn't an ideal people carrier. If you frequently ferry people around or have particularly tall friends, opting for the less expensive E-Class is probably a wiser idea. Trunk space is pretty generous, however, with 15.3 cubic feet available.