DecodedCarsMercedes-Benz CLS-Class
18 model years from 2006 to 2023, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2006–2023
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 16–26 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns, all years
- Interest
- 4,813 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2023 CLS-Class in brief
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a compact car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 9% worse than the 2023 compact car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 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.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has 18 model years in our data, from 2006 to 2023.
Its most efficient year was 2021 at 26 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 16 to 26 MPG.
Buying used? 2023 has the fewest problems in our data.
How the 2006 CLS-Class compares
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a compact car offered with 2 engines (5.0L 8-cyl and 5.4L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 28% worse than the 2006 compact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
About the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
The C219 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is the first generation of the CLS-Class range of four-door coupe which features a fastback body style by Mercedes-Benz, and was produced between 2003 and 2010.
From the Wikipedia article "Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219)", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2023 CLS-Class pros & cons
Full 2023 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2023 CLS-Class
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 9 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
CLS-Class changes by model year
- 2022
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
- 2019
- New hybrid version
- Engines added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl
- Engines dropped: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 21 to 26
- 2017
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 24 to 21
- 2015
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 24
- 2012
- New body dimensions: 0.8 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engines added: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl and 6.3L 8-cyl
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG up from 16 to 20
- 2010
- Engine added: 6.3L 8-cyl
- Engine dropped: 6.2L 8-cyl
- 2007
- Engines added: 5.5L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl
- Engines dropped: 5.0L 8-cyl and 5.4L 8-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 18 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 26 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 26 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 26 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 21 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,277 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 21 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,277 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,046 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,046 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,277 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,277 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,123 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.3L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,023 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.3L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,023 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,990 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,990 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2023 CLS-Class
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 BMW 3 Series | 29 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT | 21 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2023 Lexus IS | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Audi A4 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Volvo S60 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →