2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 Review

The four-door coupe thing is a conundrum to me, chopping off a pair of doors to call a car a coupe, then adding two more and still calling it a coupe. More than that, you lose the practicality of a sedan in the process. But sales have proven me to be the idiot, with Mercedes-Benz selling enough of these confused coupes since the original CLS debuted to justify the continuation of the moniker now entering its third generation. For 2019, the CLS lives on, but unlike before, if you want an AMG-badged variant, you won't find one with a V8 under the hood and a 63 badge on the trunk. Instead, Mercedes-AMG has turned to electrification, with the CLS joining the roster of '53' badged models. That means there's a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six under the hood developing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, aided by the new EQ-Boost starter-generator providing an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. All-wheel-drive is standard, as is a nine-speed automatic gearbox. In lieu of the Mercedes-AMG GT four-door taking over the high-performance four-door coupe mantle, is there even any real value to buying a CLS 53 over the more practical E53 and more performance-focused AMG GT 53, or are you better off looking at an Audi A7 instead?

What's the Price of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53?

Sitting atop the CLS-Class tree, the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 carries a starting price of $79,900 before tax, registration, licensing fees, and Mercedes' $995 destination and delivery charge. But rarely will a CLS 53 cost that little, as a quick glance at the options list quickly sees the price rise to north of $110,000. Be careful which options you select, as they quickly put the CLS 53 into AMG GT four-door territory.

2019 AMG CLS 53 Exterior

Dimensions

2019 AMG CLS 53 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The E-Class with which the CLS shares underpinnings is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to ride and handling - smooth for the most part, but easily undone by larger bumps and sharp jolts. While the CLS might suffer in many ways compared to the E, ride quality is not one of those. It strikes an excellent balance between comfort and composure, with adaptive dampers doing the lion's share of the work to keep things composed.

Steering is sharp and well-weighted, but as you search for the limits of the CLS 53, communication isn't quite as vivid as we'd have liked to see. Turn-in is sharp though, especially for a vehicle of this size, and there's grip aplenty from the AMG-tuned suspension and all-wheel-drive systems. It runs out sooner than we'd like on the standard 19-inch wheels' all-season tires, and keener drivers would do well to opt for the summer rubber found on the 20-inch wheel options.

With these equipped, the CLS is sharp and agile, and the stability control systems cut in long before the CLS 53 actually reaches the limits of adhesion. Unfortunately, the 20-inch setup detriments the ride quality a little with less sidewall present to absorb the sharper bumps the suspension isn't able to soak up.

The ride is otherwise refined, supremely insulated, and smooth - everything a modern Mercedes should be. While the AMG badges might bring with them a level of performance, the CLS 53 is more of a grand tourer than a performance car; a demeanor that suits it perfectly.

2019 AMG CLS 53 Interior

2019 AMG CLS 53 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 A Good car?

A car for every niche - it seems to be the way Mercedes-Benz builds their vehicle line-up, with the CLS 53 being just one of a number of cars designed for the select few rather than the masses. Taking up the mantle as the range-topper of the CLS-Class range, the 53 does a fine job of blending performance and luxury into one package, riding smoothly, handling adeptly, and providing a hint of electrifying performance in a vehicle that looks great and features some of the best tech available in the automotive world. But the CLS lacks the practicality of the E 53, sacrificing both rear-seat space and trunk space for a swooping roofline and sporty looks. Yet it isn't really any sportier, and it fails to match the levels of driver engagement found in its other sibling, the AMG GT 53. So it lives in limbo between the two, not really better than either of them at anything but looking good, and costing $6,000 more than the E-Class on which it's based. Sure it's good, but is it really worth paying more for all the compromise? To those who love it, none of that will matter - the CLS 53 is good enough to be bought and enjoyed by the select few whose attention it commands.

What Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 Model Should I Buy?

We're of the opinion you'd be financially prudent to buy an E 53 over the equivalent CLS, but if you must have the four-door coupe, then there are hundreds of potential ways you could spec it. We'd suggest keeping it simple - Lunar Blue Metallic paint, 20-inch multispoke AMG wheels, the AMG Night Package, and a black Nappa leather interior with red stitching and red seatbelts, as well as Gray Ash wood trim inserts. The AMG head-up display is a must-have, and if you'll be spending hours behind the wheel, then so are the massaging front seats and ventilation. We'd also opt for both the Parking Assist Package and the Driver Assistance package for a full suite of safety features, pushing the final asking price up to $93,360.

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 Comparisons

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 vs Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe

Little separates the CLS 53 from its E-Class sedan sibling, save for a $6,200 premium and a coupe-like roofline. Both share the same platform, same powertrain, and same drivetrain, and both have the same availability of class-leading safety and convenience features. But the E 53 is more practical, with more rear-seat space and a trunk measuring 1.2 cubic feet larger than the CLS 53's. For less money, the E 53 is definitely a better car. But - there's always a but - to those who prefer style over substance, the CLS 53 is just as good in every other metric but is arguably better looking, more exclusive, and ultimately gives of the more premium perception.

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 vs Audi A7 Sportback

There isn't a current-generation Audi S7 on sale in the US just yet, so the standard A7 has to take up the fight against the AMG-fettled CLS 53. It does so with less performance courtesy of a weaker 3.0-liter V6 developing only 335 hp and 369 lb-ft, measuring a second slower to 60 mph. But it costs $10,000 less, and it consumes less gas. When it comes to tech, the Audi boasts a more intuitive infotainment system - even if it doesn't look as striking as the CLS's - but it loses out in terms of the wonderful assortment of tech Mercedes offers across almost their entire lineup of vehicles. Like the CLS, the A7 boasts a sloping roofline, but it offers up more rear-seat space, and the trunk lid is more of a hatchback, availing the A7 to 24.9 cubic feet of trunk space to the CLS's 11.9. Given its performance focus, the CLS 53 is a better luxury performance car, but at $10,000 cheaper, the A7 is a more practical, thoughtful option.