Mercedes-Benz CL (07 on) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 25 March 2009
At the top of the Mercedes-Benz range you'll find the CL coupe. It sits alongside the S-Class saloon - on which it's based - as the most expensive model you can buy. And feels like it too. The CL600 now tops £100,000 to buy new and means that the CL takes on the likes of Aston Martin and Bentley for the first time. It's not short on anything: the interior is sumptuous, power is immense and it's a huge car capable of carrying four adults. But it lacks the image of other equally as expensive cars and doesn't feel as special either.
4.5 out of 5

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1 out of 5

Running costs

With a list prices close to - and exceeding - the £100,000 barrier and a limited market for top-end coupes, depreciation will be severe in terms of cash lost. The fuel consumption for the V8 and V12 engines is, unsurprisingly high, though not out of the ordinary for these types of engines. Mercedes-Benz servicing has a premium price and CL is understandably expensive to insure.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

According to on-board indicator.

Warranty

Three years/unlimited miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£460.00 - £475.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

0.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
    227
  • M
    340

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

With average fuel consumption figures of just 20mpg and emitting 328g/km CO2, it's no surprise that CL scores lowly on the eco front. Nonetheless, these figures are fairly standard for an executive coupé and it performs similarly to the Porsche 911. The only saving grace is that buyers of these sorts of cars tend to do fewer miles per year than those that own average family cars.

Find the exact engine and CO2