For drivers seeking to make a statement, the luxury sedan market is rife with options. However, for those truly wanting to break away from the pack, a vehicle with distinctive styling is key. Enter the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, a car that boldly carved its own niche. This four-door premium automobile masterfully blends top-tier German engineering with a silhouette that remains strikingly unique even today. It’s not quite a traditional sedan, and certainly not a coupe in the classic sense, but something altogether more captivating.
Let’s delve into ten essential aspects that define the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.
What Makes the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Unique?
01. The Pioneering Four-Door Coupe Design of the CLS
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class isn’t just a car; it’s a successful example of automotive marketing and design innovation. Mercedes-Benz redefined a segment by creating what they termed a ‘four-door coupe’. The CLS boasts a dramatically sloping roofline, intentionally reminiscent of a sleek two-door coupe, while cleverly retaining the practicality of four doors. Stylistically, this gamble paid off handsomely. The CLS-Class presents a striking and dynamic profile, effortlessly overshadowing more conventional sedans. Inside, however, the coupe-like roofline does impact rear headroom. Taller passengers might find the sloping roof a bit restrictive in the back.
02. Underneath the Skin: The E-Class Foundation
While the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class exudes a unique and sporty aesthetic, beneath its elegant exterior lies a familiar foundation. It shares its platform and mechanical underpinnings with the more conservatively styled Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. This is a significant advantage for CLS-Class owners. The E-Class is consistently ranked among the top mid-size luxury sedans, known for its quality and refinement. Stepping inside the CLS reinforces these similarities. Much of the interior design and componentry is directly inherited from its E-Class sibling, ensuring a familiar Mercedes-Benz experience.
Performance and Powertrain of the 2013 CLS-Class
03. Potent V8 Power Under the Hood
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class offers a compelling driving experience thanks to its powerful V8 engine. Exclusively equipped with a 4.6-liter V8, this engine utilizes twin turbochargers to deliver an impressive 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. These figures place it squarely in competition with rivals from BMW and Audi in terms of power output. Crucially, the abundant torque is available from a low 1,800 rpm. This translates to confident and effortless acceleration from a standstill without needing to aggressively push the throttle. Fuel economy for this substantial vehicle is rated at 17 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway.
04. Seamless Seven-Speed Automatic Transmission
Power delivery in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is managed by the widely utilized Mercedes-Benz seven-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox is instrumental in enhancing the CLS-Class’s fuel efficiency compared to previous models. It strikes a harmonious balance between relaxed cruising and responsive performance when needed. The transmission is controlled via a column-mounted stalk, a signature Mercedes-Benz feature, with a push-button Park function. This design choice liberates valuable center console space for larger cupholders and the COMAND system controller. For a more engaging driving experience, manual shift paddles are also provided, allowing for direct gear selection.
05. Available 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive for Enhanced Confidence
Recognizing that rear-wheel drive isn’t ideal for all climates, Mercedes-Benz offered the 2013 CLS-Class with the option of 4MATIC all-wheel drive. This system enhances traction in challenging conditions like snow, sleet, and rain, making the CLS a more versatile year-round vehicle, especially in regions with unpredictable weather. The 4MATIC system is engineered to maintain the engaging driving dynamics associated with rear-wheel drive while providing added stability and control when grip is compromised. Electronic driver aids further complement the all-wheel-drive system in adverse conditions.
Features and Options of the 2013 CLS-Class
06. Well-Equipped CLS550 Trim Level
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class was offered in a single, generously equipped trim level: the CLS550. Standard features are abundant, including a sunroof, HID headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery with power-adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, HD and satellite radio, and a premium surround sound system. Further standard amenities include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the COMAND infotainment system (operated via voice commands or a rotary dial), and a seven-inch LCD screen. The CLS550 rides on an adaptive air suspension and includes 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.
07. Customization Through Option Packages
True to Mercedes-Benz tradition, the 2013 CLS-Class offered a wide array of optional packages to further personalize the vehicle. The Premium 1 package added desirable features such as a rearview camera, keyless entry with push-button start, adaptive LED headlights, a power trunk lid, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Parktronic package enhanced convenience with an automatic parking system and front and rear parking sensors. For advanced driver assistance, the Driver Assistance package included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure intervention (lane departure warning was also available separately in the Lane Tracking package).
The High-Performance 2013 CLS 63 AMG
08. AMG Performance Variant for Driving Enthusiasts
For those seeking ultimate performance, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class was also available in a high-performance AMG variant. The Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG replaced the standard V8 with a hand-built 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder engine. In its standard configuration, this powerplant produced a formidable 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. However, for even greater thrills, the AMG Performance Pack was offered. This option boosted turbocharger pressure, increasing output to 550 horsepower and a staggering 590 lb-ft of torque. This upgrade enabled the rear-wheel-drive CLS 63 AMG to achieve 0-60 mph in a mere 3.9 seconds – acceleration that could surprise many dedicated sports cars. The AMG Performance Pack also included enhancements to the adaptive suspension for sharper handling, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and an increased top speed.
Safety and Competition for the 2013 CLS-Class
09. Comprehensive Safety Features
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of features. Beyond the aforementioned active safety technologies, it included pelvic and torso side airbags for front occupants, knee airbags for both the driver and front passenger, front airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags to protect the heads of all occupants. Attention Assist, a system designed to detect driver drowsiness, was also standard, along with electronic stability control and traction control. The enhanced mbrace2 telematics system provided a range of emergency assistance services.
10. Navigating a Competitive Luxury Coupe Market
When the CLS-Class debuted in 2004, it essentially created the four-door coupe segment, facing little direct competition. By 2013, however, the landscape had changed significantly. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class faced strong rivals such as the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the Audi A7, all vying for the attention of luxury car buyers seeking coupe-like styling with four doors. With a starting MSRP of $72,100, the CLS-Class held a price advantage over the BMW ($77,100) but was more expensive than the Audi ($60,100). Comparing it to the more powerful Audi S7 ($79,695) provided a clearer picture of the competitive pricing within the segment. For those considering a used luxury car in the UK today, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class remains a stylish and well-equipped option, holding its own against its contemporaries.
