Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs Mercedes-Benz CLS

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS was a striking vehicle, often referred to as a "4-door coupe" by Mercedes-Benz. It featured a sleek design with smooth body panels that gave it a distinctive, flowing appearance reminiscent of a Coke bottle. The car's long hood and dovetail trunk lid contributed to its elongated look, while the slim, pillar-less doors and raked glass maintained the classic CLS profile. The front of the CLS borrowed the aggressive styling of the AMG GT, with a trapezoidal grille and slanted LED headlights, while the rear was completed with flush exhaust tips and squinting LED taillights. Despite its nearly perfect design, the rear bumper extension for U.S. requirements was a minor blemish, though it was forgivable in the Ruby Black Metallic finish.

Inside, the CLS was a masterpiece of luxury and design. The Macchiato Beige and Titian Red interior was a testament to opulence, with soft, supple materials and intricate stitching throughout. The exclusive designo series added a touch of extravagance with features like leather-edged floor mats and curved wood with inlaid white lines flowing across the dash. The ambient lighting system, capable of cycling through 64 colors and ten themes, enhanced the cabin's atmosphere. The CLS's interior was a sensory delight, rivaling even the most luxurious brands like Bentley or Rolls-Royce when fully optioned.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was a nod to the era of grand sedans, standing out in a market dominated by SUVs. With a length of 208 inches, it commanded attention on the road, offering a traditional form of luxury. The seventh-generation S-Class, introduced in 2021, retained its classic character while adopting a more rounded and aerodynamic style. The larger grille, smoother body creases, and retractable flush door handles added to its refined appearance. The long hood and extended wheelbase suggested a spacious interior, with the U.S. version exclusively featuring the longer wheelbase.

Inside, the S-Class boasted a horizontal dashboard layout, interrupted by digital displays that seemed somewhat out of place. However, the cabin was adorned with premium materials, from supple leather to attractive trim elements. The S-Class offered a range of upholstery colors and trim materials, including lacquered wood and natural-grain walnut. Mercedes' craftsmanship was evident throughout, with no creaks or squeaks to be found. The S-Class set a high standard for luxury sedans, with only the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, or the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class surpassing its level of excellence.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an electric motor-generator, making the CLS a hybrid. The 48-volt electrical system powered most accessories and allowed for seamless engine start-stop functionality. The CLS offered a smooth and comfortable ride, especially in Comfort mode, thanks to its adaptive air suspension. In Sport and Sport+ modes, the engine delivered a more aggressive sound and performance, with the electric motor providing an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The CLS's 9-speed automatic transmission was mostly smooth, though occasionally clunky at low speeds. Fuel economy was adequate, with the rear-wheel-drive model achieving 24 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered four models, each distinguished by their powertrains. The entry-level S 500 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 442 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, while the S 580 upgraded to a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. The AMG S 63 E Performance combined a twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor, producing 791 hp and 1,055 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The S 580e plug-in hybrid, with a 22.7-kWh battery pack, delivered 503 hp and 553 lb-ft, offering an estimated 48 miles of electric range. The S-Class provided a smooth and comfortable ride, with the suspension tuned for luxury. The S 580e's electric motor and six-cylinder engine worked harmoniously, delivering power smoothly and quietly. The S-Class excelled in maneuverability, thanks to rear axle steering, making it surprisingly agile for its size.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS offered less interior space compared to traditional sedans. Rear passengers over 6 feet tall needed to slouch to avoid hitting the ceiling, and the short rear-door openings posed a challenge for entry. The CLS featured a standard rear bench seat for three passengers, though the middle seat was cramped. Rear amenities were limited, with optional heated seats and a fourth USB port. Up front, the CLS provided ample space and comfort, with supportive seats and a quiet cabin. The trunk offered 11.9 cubic feet of space, accommodating two large duffel bags and additional items. The dual 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument panel were initially overwhelming, with numerous controls and submenus to navigate.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured spacious front seats resembling classic wingbacks, providing comfort for larger occupants. Standard features included heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Storage space for personal items was adequate, with moderately sized cupholders and door pockets. The rear seats were equally accommodating, with optional features like heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The Pinnacle trim added an executive passenger-side rear seat with a power footrest. The S 580e's trunk offered 8.1 cubic feet of cargo space, though it appeared larger in practice. Other S-Class models provided 12.8 cubic feet of space, with a center pass-through door for longer items.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS featured a customizable instrument panel with three primary designs and numerous layout options. Standard navigation included three years of map updates and live traffic, though rerouting was occasionally unreliable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional onboard Wi-Fi and a wireless charging pad. The Mercedes me connect suite offered remote unlocking and other telematics services. The Energizing Comfort feature combined seat heating, cooling, and ambient lighting with special music for a spa-like experience. The Driver Assistance Package provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, though occasional glitches prompted caution. The Burmester stereo offered an impressive "3D-Surround Sound" experience.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Burmester surround-sound system. The Pinnacle trim added rear-seat amenities like an infotainment-system tablet and an entertainment system with two 11.6-inch displays. The S 580e's infotainment system featured crisp graphics and quick responses, though the capacitive touch controls were challenging to use. The voice-control technology was highly accurate, activated by saying "Hey Mercedes," and capable of understanding various accents.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS boasted impressive safety features, including pedestrian and blind-spot detection, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, and advanced steering assistance. Standard features included forward-collision alert, auto braking, and a driver-attention monitor. The CLS's sensing system could predict rear-end collisions and adjust seats and windows accordingly. The car's stereo played "pink noise" during collisions to protect hearing. The CLS also featured Car-to-X networking for road warnings and a system to limit crosswind effects. Optional side-impact detection inflated seat bolsters for added protection. While the CLS hadn't been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, the E-Class sedan, sharing the same chassis, received top safety ratings.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The Pinnacle trim added rear-seat side and seatbelt airbags. The S 580e's safety systems functioned flawlessly, with smooth adaptive cruise control transitions. While NHTSA and IIHS hadn't published crash test results for this S-Class generation, Mercedes-Benz maintained an impeccable safety record.