Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS a C-Class or S-Class?

[VanKatherine]

The perfect combination of sedan and coupe - the CLS, here are the detailed specifications: Introduction: The CLS and C-Class belong to two different vehicle series. Powertrain: S-Class - 272, 273, 275 series engines; CLS - 272, 113. Luxury Features: The CLS does not include the ABC dynamic stability system, refrigerator, magnetic doors, or LCD TV. Positioning: S-Class - luxury high-end business sedan; CLS - luxury four-door coupe. Related Information: In the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the E-Class is considered a mid-to-high-level vehicle, the S-Class is the top-tier luxury vehicle, and the C-Class is a compact sedan. The S-Class focuses on luxury, the E-Class on comfort, and the C-Class on sportiness.

[KhloeAnn]

Someone asked me this before, and I need to explain it properly. The Mercedes-Benz CLS is actually neither a C-Class nor an S-Class—it's a standalone series developed by Mercedes specifically for four-door coupes. This car is significantly larger than the C-Class, with a length close to five meters and a longer wheelbase, offering quite spacious seating. However, compared to the S-Class, it feels more sporty, with a more sloping roofline and much nimbler handling. The interior does have some S-Class influences, featuring the large widescreen display and premium leather, but the price is still more affordable than the S-Class. If you're looking for a less business-oriented Mercedes sedan, the CLS is indeed a step up from the C-Class while being more youthful than the S-Class.

[EllieMarie]

While researching Mercedes-Benz models, I discovered something interesting: the CLS actually occupies its own unique category. Look at its chassis codes - from 219 to the current 257 - all forming an independent series. Its length sits perfectly between the C-Class and S-Class at around 4.9 meters, offering adequate rear legroom for family use without the S-Class's excess. The key difference lies in its positioning - the CLS focuses on sporty luxury, featuring frameless doors and a hatchback trunk as standard, neither of which are found on C-Class or S-Class models. Its powertrain is also special - the older CLS500 directly used the S-Class's V8 engine but with sportier tuning. Even the current 2.0T model with 48V mild hybrid delivers impressive acceleration.

[DelJuliet]

A couple of days ago at the 4S dealership, the salesperson mentioned that the CLS belongs to Mercedes-Benz's coupe series, which is different from both the C-Class and S-Class. The car's design is truly unique—notice how its height is about 10 cm lower than the C-Class, and the seating position is also lower, giving it a full-on sports car feel. The price range speaks volumes too: the entry-level model starts at over 600,000 RMB, while the top trim exceeds a million, perfectly filling the gap between the C-Class and S-Class. In terms of materials, it leans closer to the S-Class, with features like the Burmester sound system and MBUX system as standard, but the exterior design is more youthful. Mercedes-Benz specifically designed the CLS line to cater to customers who want luxury without the overly business-oriented vibe.

[HarperDella]

My colleague just picked up a CLS300, and during our conversation, I realized its positioning is quite unique. It uses Mercedes' MRA rear-wheel-drive platform, sharing the same front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout as the C-Class, but with a wheelbase extended to 2,939 mm—over ten centimeters longer than the C-Class. The interior, however, leans more towards the S-Class, featuring elements like 64-color ambient lighting and a touch-control steering wheel. The space design is particularly interesting: the rear seat cushions are intentionally thinned to maintain the coupe's sleek roofline, resulting in slightly tighter headroom compared to the S-Class. For powertrains, the entry-level model comes with a 2.0T + 48V mild-hybrid setup, while the higher trim upgrades directly to a 3.0T inline-six, neatly slotting between the C-Class's 1.5T and the S-Class's six-cylinder offerings.