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2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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Overview

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2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review

By KBB.com Editors

To most consumers, touting its four-door masterpiece as a "coupe" makes little sense, but one cannot argue with the sheer beauty that is the newly improved 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS. With its stunningly sleek profile and lavish four-passenger interior, the CLS is clearly not your run-of-the-mill luxury sedan; it's a car equally adept at satisfying both the driver's senses and ego. The CLS' head-turning good looks are backed by two engine choices, including a supercharged AMG creation capable of generating an eye-popping 507 horsepower. For the well-to-do who seek a vehicle as dynamic as it is expensive, the Mercedes-Benz CLS ranks among a select few that can truly be called "exclusive."

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're a fan of the brand but find the three-pointed emblem has become somewhat commonplace in your neighborhood, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS will let you drive a mostly practical Mercedes-Benz sedan while still making a fashion statement.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Compared with its close sibling the E550, the CLS-Class' significant price premium doesn't buy much more than unique styling and greatly reduced rear-seat accommodations.

What's New for 2009

The CLS receives a slight freshening for 2009, with a new grille and rear exhaust outlets, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and integrated side mirror turn signals. There is also a new central display operating the CD stacker and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, providing voice control for the audio and phone.

Driving the CLS-Class

Driving Impressions Whether it's the car's lower stance, smaller windows or more defined cockpit, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS feels sportier than the E-Class on which it is based even before you start...

the engine. Once called upon, the 5.5-liter V8 provides plenty of silky power throughout its range and the sophisticated seven-speed transmission is just as smooth. Not surprisingly, the CLS550 is both powerful and comfortable on the open highway. And, when a winding mountain road is part of the journey, the adjustable air suspension lets you dial in just enough stiffness to encourage a little coupe-like driving.

Favorite Features

Adaptive Cruise Control
Mercedes' Distronic cruise control uses radar to maintain a driver-variable distance from the car ahead.

Keyless Go
Lets you open a locked door and start the car without ever having to remove the SmartKey from your pocket or purse.

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Details

Interior

Only when you take your seat inside the CLS do you begin to get a handle on the car's character. Large expanses of unique matte burl walnut trim and impeccable dash stitching combine with sculpted perforated seats to convey a purpose that is at once both elegant and spirited. A long center console runs from front to back, dividing the cabin in two and giving both backseat passengers places to call their own, while four-zone climate control helps to ensure everyone remains comfortable.

Exterior

Nothing about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS is as distinctive as its unfamiliar shape. The arcing roofline descends almost seamlessly into the C-pillar and, subsequently, the rear decklid, imparting the CLS with a unique fastback profile. To further rationalize the coupe allusions, the CLS also features the big-star grille that's normally reserved for the company's two-door vehicles. Sporty 18-inch wheels and a sharp character line help balance what might otherwise be a soft exterior, as do prominent dual exhaust outlets. Exterior details worth noting include a power open/close trunk, automatic dimming driver's-side mirror and an automatic lamp substitution system that compensates for the loss of an important light by illuminating an adjacent bulb.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In addition to the 5.5-liter V8 and seven-speed automatic transmission, the CLS550 features an adjustable air suspension, 10-way adjustable seats, glass sunroof, four-zone climate control, LCD control center and Tele-Aid, along with power windows and all the other equipment you might expect of a sedan costing around $70,000. Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability protection, an advanced electro-hydraulic braking system and an array of airbags, including front, front-side, rear-side and side-curtain. The CLS63 AMG adds a potent supercharged engine, an AMG-engineered suspension and a number of exterior upgrades unique to the AMG brand.

Optional Equipment

Features not included in the base sticker price include active HID headlamps, adaptive radar cruise control, front/rear park assist, heated and ventilated front seats, air support front seats, harman/kardon digital surround-sound system, six-disc CD changer, hands-free voice control system, Keyless Go unlock and start and a rear-window sunshade.

Under the Hood

While most people will be more than happy with the 5.5-liter V8's performance, those who must have the biggest and the best will no doubt steer straight to the supercharged 6.3-liter V8. Built by AMG, the block is composed of a high-strength silicon-aluminum composite material. The engine features dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, low-friction cylinder walls, bucket tappets (as opposed to rocker arms) and an impressive 11:1 compression ratio. Fast, smooth and efficient, it just doesn't get much better than this.

5.5-liter V8
382 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
391 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800-4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/21

6.3-liter V8 Supercharged
507 horsepower @ 6800 rpm
465 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/18

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 109 Ratings for the 2006 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

8.9/10

Quality

9.3/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.4/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.6/10

This car is my baby - CLS 550 AMG

By MBG32 (IL) on Saturday, September 22, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 98,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Stylish Car, At value good deal for style"

Cons: "maintenance, could get brand new car"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I gave the value an 8 because my APR is high (first car loan) and I made a few silly mistakes such as taking the car on road trips.... so the value is lower than I'd like, but I don't put many miles on it now so that can change over the next year (if I keep it that long)! I LOVE this car. Love the look, love how it drives. My overall experience is great! I only complain about it when I have repairs. Its my first Benz and isn't under warranty so the repair expenses are alarming. Things I love Automatic Seats, seat warmers, rear view privacy, tinted windows, Logic surround sound, Harman Speakers - This all makes for a comfortable and private drive. Cruise control - you can control the speed you drive with this feature and use your hands to speed up or slow down. I love it! The winter tires make the ride less smooth, but the sport tires have you feel like you are gliding! I am not sure which wheels I have on there. Lots of compartments inside the car. Lots of A/V plugs also. I believe there are 2 inside the car and one in the trunk. Got the car in Florida so no wear and tear outside."

8 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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Great Car

By Ra (NJ) on Monday, September 03, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 34,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Impressive styling"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Beautiful car, great ride and interior. I used to drive a Porsche, so the handling is not the same, but this is a very powerful handles well."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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My Best car ever. Had a E320 and E430 before

By voltaire (CA) on Sunday, February 12, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 77,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "beautiful lines. Interior is top notch"

Cons: "Just what I said above."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"All excellent except for the price; they could have given me Xenon headlights and fold mirrors. One minor irritation is the visibility for left hand turns. Need to do some neck stretching due to the windshield column interference. My car is a 2008 model"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Best car ever!

By Wayne (NY) on Friday, January 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 48,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Too many to name, very fast, sexy looks, etc."

Cons: "Only 4 seats"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car is truly amazing. The V8 engine is so smooth, and the pull on the highway is superb. With 391 lb-ft of torque and 382 horsepower, I was a bit scared when I first started to drive it. But it is so refined that the immense power is delivered only when you summon it. And when you summon it, it is super fast so you have to be careful. The exterior and interior are very sexy as well. I love the wood trim. I also love that there is tons of leather everywhere you look. And the best part is you get to say it's a Mercedes-Benz. Many luxury features, power seats, heated seats, sun shade, moonroof, you name it. The ride is amazing, too. You have many different settings, like comfort mode, sport 1, sport 2, etc. This car is fantastic!"

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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The BEAST..THE BEAST am telling you..

By Dejan (NC) on Thursday, January 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Sharp looking, good fuel milage, very comfortable."

Cons: "ABSOLUTELY NONE..NONE THAT IS !!!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought it in Atlanta couple of months ago, drove it to Charlotte and got 28mpg with its V-8... Car is the beast on the road, very sharp looking and it was my dream car and i cannot believe that am driving it. I could have went with 2010 FX35 with 30K miles locally but i went with my Benz and it was the best decision i made.. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT...."

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Best car I have ever owned.

By jwh on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 44,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great car to drive."

Cons: "Nav system harder to learn to use than expected."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Excellent appearance. Outstanding ride characteristics. The power needed when you need it. The car has more amenitiies than I could want. Excellent gas mileage on long distance trips, better than 24 mpg. Absolutely no maintenance or reliability problems with the car since I bought it."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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See all 109 reviews