The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, a sleek 4-door coupe, competes with the Audi A7 and S7. It was redesigned for 2019, so 2020 brings minor changes.

Mercedes-Benz splits the CLS-Class into two trims. The base CLS 450 comes with an inline-6 cylinder engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and a mild-hybrid electrical system called EQ Boost. While the engine alone generates 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, EQ Boost can momentarily add up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) comes standard but you can add 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD). The CLS 450 accelerates to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with RWD and 4.8 seconds with AWD. Expect the CLS 450 to return fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined. The CLS 450 4MATIC returns 23/26/30.

If that’s not enough for you, the AMG CLS 53 is also available. It uses the same basic engine tuned to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. With EQ Boost, that can rise to 450 hp and 568 lb-ft. An AMG-tuned 9-speed automatic drives all four wheels. The CLS 53 races to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The AMG CLS 53 gets 21/27/23 with premium gas.

The CLS 450 comes standard with 5-passenger seating, 19-inch wheels, ambient lighting with 64 colors, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, keyless start and access, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a power trunk lid, leather upholstery, and a leatherette dashboard. The AMG CLS 53 includes a unique body kit, special upholstery, a performance steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster. Both versions offer a number of appearance packages as well as upgrades like adaptive LED exterior lights, two grades of Burmester sound systems, massaging multi-contour seats, heated and ventilated seats, and 3-zone climate control.

Both trims come with blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and driver-attention monitoring. The CLS-Class hasn't been crash-tested, but that isn’t unusual for a low-volume luxury car.

The CLS-Class cuts a striking figure and packs plenty of technology, performance, and opulence beneath it.