2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Pictured: Black MB CL 65 AMG (C216.1) fl. Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
Cl 550 4matic 2 Dr Coupe AWD, Cl 600 2 Dr Coupe RWD, Cl 63 Amg 2 Dr Coupe, Cl 65 Amg 2 Dr Coupe
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 15 city / 23 hwy
Length
201.2 in
Curb weight
4,674–4,949 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 26% below the 2011 compact car average of 24.3 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a compact car offered with 4 engines (4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 201 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,674 lb (Cl 550 4matic 2 Dr Coupe AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 23 highway), 26% worse than the 2011 compact car average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $4,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

What changed for 2011

  • Engines added: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
  • Engines dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl and 6.3L 8-cyl

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 CL-Class →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Cl 550 4matic 2 Dr Coupe AWD201.2 in73.6 in55.9 in116.5 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,674 lb56/44
Cl 600 2 Dr Coupe RWD201.2 in73.6 in55.9 in116.5 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,817 lb56/44
Cl 63 Amg 2 Dr Coupe201.2 in73.6 in55.9 in116.5 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,707 lb56/44
Cl 65 Amg 2 Dr Coupe201.2 in73.6 in55.9 in116.5 in62.6 / 62.6 in4,949 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CL550 4matic4.7L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-26%$4,550494
CL63 AMG5.5L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-30%$4,850523
CL6005.5L 12-cyl turboAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-42%$5,850635
CL65 AMG6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-42%$5,850635
Spend $10,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.3 MPG2011 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.

Similar 2011 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (this car)18 MPGNot rated0
2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class21 MPGNot rated0
2011 BMW 7 Series20 MPGNot rated1
2011 Audi S616 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CL-Class years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2014 CL-Class18201.2 inNot rated00
2013 CL-Class18201.2 inNot rated00
2012 CL-Class18201.2 inNot rated00
2010 CL-Class17199.6 inNot rated00
2009 CL-Class17199.6 inNot rated00
2008 CL-Class17199.6 inNot rated00
2007 CL-Class16–Not rated00
2006 CL-Class17–Not rated00
2005 CL-Class17–Not rated00

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →