Mercedes CL-Class

Mercedes CL-Class: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Mercedes CL-Class choice comes down to three priorities: performance, drivetrain, and fuel use. Among the versions listed here, the restyled third-generation 4.7 AT offers the quickest acceleration outside the more demanding V12 choices, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with either AWD or RWD.

The Mercedes CL-Class choice comes down to three priorities: performance, drivetrain, and fuel use. Among the versions listed here, the restyled third-generation 4.7 AT offers the quickest acceleration outside the more demanding V12 choices, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with either AWD or RWD. The RWD 4.7 AT is the economy leader at 9.9 l/100 km combined, while the third-generation CL600 5.5 AT and restyled 5.5 AT deliver the maximum output of 517 hp and 830 Nm. Buyers who prefer simpler naturally aspirated engines can choose from the first and second generations, although their performance and consumption vary considerably.

Mercedes CL-Class generations compared

The first-generation Mercedes CL-Class, listed from 1992 to 1998, is a Coupe with three versions: 4.2 AT, 5.0 AT, and 6.0 AT. All use naturally aspirated Gasoline engines, a 5-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. Output ranges from 279 hp in the 4.2 AT to 394 hp in the 6.0 AT. Every listed version has a 100-litre tank, 150 mm ground clearance, independent spring suspension, and ventilated disc brakes at both ends.

The second generation, listed from 1999 to 2002, changes the body label to Coupe Hardtop and has two versions: 5.0 AT and 5.8 AT. Both retain naturally aspirated Gasoline engines, a 5-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. The 5.0 AT produces 306 hp, while the 5.8 AT produces 367 hp. Compared with the first generation, tank capacity falls from 100 to 88 litres, but ground clearance remains 150 mm.

The restyled second generation, listed from 2002 to 2006, also has two Coupe Hardtop versions. Its 5.0 AT keeps the same 306 hp and 460 Nm figures as the preceding 5.0 AT. The alternative 5.5 AT introduces Turbo charging and produces 500 hp and 800 Nm, giving this generation a much wider performance spread than before. Both versions use RWD and a 5-speed Automatic gearbox.

The third generation, listed from 2006 to 2011, consists of three Coupe Hardtop entries: CL500 5.5 AT with AWD, CL600 5.5 AT with RWD, and CL500 5.5 AT with RWD. The naturally aspirated CL500 5.5 AT produces 388 hp and 530 Nm through a 7-speed Automatic gearbox. The Turbo CL600 5.5 AT produces 517 hp and 830 Nm through a 5-speed Automatic. This generation also moves to independent pneumatic suspension and a 90-litre tank.

The restyled third generation, listed from 2010 to 2014, has three Coupe Hardtop entries: 4.7 AT with AWD, 5.5 AT with RWD, and 4.7 AT with RWD. Both 4.7 AT versions make 435 hp and 700 Nm, use Turbo charging, direct injection, and a 7-speed Automatic gearbox. The 5.5 AT has 517 hp, 830 Nm, RWD, and a 5-speed Automatic. All three meet Euro 5, use an 83-litre tank, and retain 150 mm ground clearance.

Mercedes CL-Class engine specs

The restyled third-generation 4.7 AT has the highest specific output at approximately 93.3 hp per litre. The third-generation and restyled third-generation 517 hp V12 versions produce approximately 93.8 hp per litre, while the restyled second-generation 5.5 AT produces approximately 90.7 hp per litre. At the other end, the second-generation 5.0 AT produces approximately 61.6 hp per litre.

Mercedes CL-Class performance and fuel economy

Every listed version has a measured 0–100 km/h time, top speed, and city, highway, and combined consumption figure; none of these values is not measured. All listed versions have the same 250 km/h top speed, so acceleration and consumption provide the more useful distinctions.

The third-generation CL600 5.5 AT and restyled third-generation 5.5 AT share the quickest 4.6-second acceleration time. The restyled 4.7 AT is only 0.3 seconds slower, yet the RWD version uses 4.1 l/100 km less fuel combined than the restyled 5.5 AT. AWD raises the 4.7 AT figures by 0.1 l/100 km in the city, 0.3 l/100 km on the highway, and 0.2 l/100 km combined, without changing its 4.9-second acceleration time.

Mercedes CL-Class dimensions, weight, tank and wheels

Overall length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied specifications for every version. The comparable dimensional and capacity figures are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and—where recorded—wheel size.

The lightest listed version is the second-generation 5.8 AT at 1,880 kg, while the heaviest is the first-generation 6.0 AT at 2,205 kg. The third-generation RWD CL500 5.5 AT is 50 kg lighter than its AWD counterpart. In the restyled third generation, the RWD 4.7 AT is also 50 kg lighter than the AWD 4.7 AT.

Weight per horsepower further separates the choices. The restyled second-generation 5.5 AT carries approximately 4.15 kg per hp. Both 517 hp V12 versions carry approximately 4.23 kg per hp, and the RWD restyled 4.7 AT carries approximately 4.76 kg per hp. The first-generation 4.2 AT has approximately 7.33 kg per hp.

Which Mercedes CL-Class version should you buy?

For the strongest balance of acceleration and economy, choose the restyled third-generation 4.7 AT with RWD. Its 435 hp and 700 Nm produce a 4.9-second 0–100 km/h time, while combined consumption is the lowest in the catalogue at 9.9 l/100 km. It is also 50 kg lighter than the AWD 4.7 AT. Choose the AWD version when AWD itself is the priority; performance remains 4.9 seconds, while combined consumption rises to 10.1 l/100 km.

For maximum output, choose either the third-generation CL600 5.5 AT or the restyled third-generation 5.5 AT. Both provide 517 hp, 830 Nm, a 4.6-second acceleration time, RWD, and a 5-speed Automatic gearbox. The restyled 5.5 AT reduces city consumption by 0.5 l/100 km, highway consumption by 0.1 l/100 km, and combined consumption by 0.3 l/100 km, but its tank is 7 litres smaller.

For a naturally aspirated third-generation car, the RWD CL500 5.5 AT is the more weight-conscious choice. It matches the AWD CL500 5.5 AT at 388 hp, 530 Nm, and 5.4 seconds, while weighing 50 kg less and using 0.2 l/100 km less on the highway. Their combined figure is identical at 12.1 l/100 km.

Among the second-generation versions, the restyled 5.5 AT is the performance choice: it adds 194 hp and 340 Nm over the restyled 5.0 AT, cutting the 0–100 km/h time by 1.7 seconds. The trade-off is an additional 190 kg and 2.8 l/100 km of combined consumption.

For the simplest early specification and the lowest consumption within the first generation, choose the 4.2 AT. Its 12.6 l/100 km combined figure is 1.2 l/100 km below the first-generation 5.0 AT and 3 l/100 km below the 6.0 AT, although it is also the slowest listed CL-Class at 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h. The first-generation 6.0 AT buys 115 hp and 170 Nm over the 4.2 AT, reducing acceleration time by 1.7 seconds, but it adds 160 kg and raises combined consumption by 3 l/100 km.

On the numbers alone, the RWD restyled third-generation 4.7 AT is the broadest all-round recommendation. The 517 hp 5.5 AT and CL600 5.5 AT suit buyers prioritizing maximum acceleration and torque, while the naturally aspirated earlier cars make sense when Turbo charging is specifically unwanted. Price, availability, problems, and reliability are not measured, so they cannot be used to rank these versions.