Mercedes-Benz mildly updated the shapely CLS-Class for 2022, giving the car a sharper, more athletic shape. The car’s interior also got a major update with better tech and revised materials. Mercedes gave the CLS a few new paint color options for 2023, but left the rest of the car alone.

Only one configuration is available for 2023. The CLS450 4Matic gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). Though it’s capable of propelling the CLS450 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, the powertrain offers an exceedingly smooth and refined driving experience. The car comes with five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual.

Mercedes offers its unique Manufaktur services for the CLS, which it says can transform the car “into a very personal bespoke creation if desired.” The package includes a handful of exclusive color options and two-tone interior finishes. The car is available with several leather and color options otherwise, and Mercedes offers six wood interior trim options. Other available features include the $1,050 cold weather package with rapid seat heaters, a heated steering wheel, and heated front armrests.

Though the CLS has four doors, Mercedes calls it a “coupe.” What that means in the real world is a sweeping roofline that adds drama outside but reduces headroom inside. As a result, taller adults can be quite uncomfortable in the back seat, and parents may have a hard time fitting larger car seats.

A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen come standard. They form a near-continuous display panel in the dash and offer excellent visibility from the driver’s seat. The displays run on the latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface, which offers over-the-air (OTA) updates, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and more. Buyers can upgrade with a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, a head-up display, and more. A $2,300 Premium Package is available that brings a Burmester surround-sound system and SiriusXM radio.

The CLS does not have full crash test scores available, but it comes with a generous list of standard features. They include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, active braking assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive high beams, driver-attention monitoring, crosswind assist, automatic windshield wipers, LED exterior lighting, and a parking damage detection system.

Buyers may also consider the Audi A7, the Porsche Taycan or Panamera, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The E-Class has a more traditional sedan shape, but the other models are unconventional like the CLS. The 2023 CLS450 4Matic starts at $74,000, which includes a $1,050 destination charge.