2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This coupe is based on Mercedes' 2000-2006 S-Class sedans. Redesigned 2007 CL coupes with larger dimensions and more power are due in calendar 2007. The CL500 has a 302-hp V8, the CL55 a 493-hp supercharged V8, and the CL600 a 493-hp twin-turbocharged V12. The CL65 has a 604-hp twin-turbo V12. CL600 and CL55 and 65 have a 5-speed automatic transmission; CL500 has a 7-speed automatic. All CLs have ABS, traction/antiskid control, front and rear side airbags, and curtain side airbags. The CL55 and 65 have aero-body addenda and uprated brakes. Like the V12 models, they also come with Mercedes' Active Body Control, designed to minimize cornering lean. All CLs include Mercedes' COMAND video control for audio, navigation, and phone. Adaptive cruise control and keyless access and starting are among the options.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Large Cars are top-of-the-line sedans in size and luxury. Many are manufacturer flagships and/or showcases for the newest automotive technology. Some have 6-figure price tags.

Our Best Buys include Audi A8 and Lexus LS 430. Our Recommended pick is Cadillac DTS.

Buick Lucerne is new or significantly redesigned.

News

Mercedes says clean-sheet 2007 CL models will start sale in late '06. As with current models, the new ones will share styling themes, powertrains, and many features with the parent S-Class sedan, itself redesigned for 2007 and a spring '06 debut. A 382-hp V8 CL550 should arrive first, followed shortly by a 510-hp twin-turbo V12 CL600. A high-performance CL65 AMG with a 604-hp twin-turbo V12 should be along sometime later. Keep checking back with us for further updates.

2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Rear-seat room

Build quality	Rear-seat entry/exit

Ride/handling	Fuel economy

Quietness	Navigation-system controls

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

CL500	Class Average
8	6.9

CL-Class models have smooth, strong acceleration, effortless highway cruising. Though smooth, both transmissions sometimes pause a frustrating moment or two before kicking down for passing.

Fuel Economy

CL500	Class Average
4	4.2

Test CL500 averaged 16.7 mpg. All engines require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

CL500	Class Average
10	8.5

Firm suspension doesn't ignore bumps and ruts, but does filter out virtually all unpleasant harshness. Large moguls induced a trace of float in tested non-AMG versions.

Steering/Handling/Braking

CL500	Class Average
9	6.9

Poised in turns, despite size and heft. Reassuringly stable at highway speeds. Available Active Body Control almost banishes cornering lean, enhances agility. Powerful brakes give short, undramatic emergency stops.

Quietness

CL500	Class Average
9	8.5

Muted, classy engine growl in rapid acceleration. Other mechanical sounds, wind and road noise are almost rumors.

Controls

CL500	Class Average
5	5.9

Good basic design compromised by daunting number of seat, climate, audio, and communications features. World-class interior decor, but close scrutiny reveals some run-of-the-mill plastics.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

CL500	Class Average
10	9

Generous space on broad, supportive seats with multiple standard power adjustments. Internal fan ventilation, "massaging" air bladders, and automatic-inflating side bolsters are standard or available, but not all testers feel they enhance comfort. Plastic under-seat bins jut into some riders' calves.

Room/Comfort (rear)

CL500	Class Average
2	8.1

Coupe's seat is shaped only for two and cramped for even average-size adults. Seat "comfort" features available here as in front--and are just as dubious. Entry/exit tight in coupes despite power-forward front seats.

Cargo Room

CL500	Class Average
2	5

Not cavernous, but sufficient and luxuriously finished in all models.

Value within Class

CL500	Class Average
4	5.4

CL-Class is probably the world's best all-around luxury coupe--and should be at these prices--and they're bolstered by Mercedes' pacesetting engineering and rock-solid resale values. Still, we're not happy about some obvious cost-cutting in the interior.

Total Score

CL500	Class Average
63	68.4

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		59
Average Score		68
High Score		79

2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

CL500 2-door coupe	$95,500	$88,815	$775

CL55 2-door coupe	$125,000	$112,065	$775

CL600 2-door coupe	$129,500	$120,435	$775

CL65 2-door coupe	$179,600	$167,028	$775

Price note: CL500 adds $1000 Gas-Guzzler Tax. CL55 adds $1700 Gas-Guzzler Tax. CL600, CL65 add $2600 Gas-Guzzler Tax.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

CL500

Powertrain

5.0-liter V8 engine, 7-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift , traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, antiskid system, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, Tele Aid assistance system, navigation system, power steering, power tilt/telescope wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated 14-way power front bucket seats w/adjustable lumbar support, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), center console, cupholders, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/turn signals and driver-side automatic day/night, passenger-side mirror tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, door and trunk closing assist, power sunroof, Bose AM/FM/weatherband/CD player, 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers w/heated washers, rear defogger, power rear sunshade, map lights, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, bi-xenon headlights w/washers, front and rear fog lights, active- and driver-adjustable self-leveling suspension, 245/45ZR18 front and 265/40ZR18 rear tires, polished alloy wheels.

CL55 adds to CL500:

Powertrain

5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

Uprated brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, multicontour and active ventilated front seats w/automatic body-securing side bolsters.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

245/40ZR19 front and 275/35ZR19 rear tires.

CL600 adds to CL55:

Powertrain

5.5-liter turbocharged V12 engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Massaging front seats, additional leather interior trim, Keyless Go, power door closer, power trunk closer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: front-seat automatic body-securing side bolsters.

245/45ZR18 tires.

CL65 adds to CL55:

Powertrain

6.0-liter turbocharged V12 engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power trunklid closer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

245/40ZR19 front tires, 275/35ZR19 rear tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
designo Espresso/Graphite/Silver Edition
CL500, CL55, CL65	$11,135	$10,356
CL600	$10,300	$9,579
Unique interior and exterior trim. CL500, CL55, CL65 require 317 Comfort Pkg.

designo Cashmere Edition
CL500, CL55, CL65	$11,950	$11,114
CL600	$11,150	$10,370
Unique interior and exterior trim. CL500, CL55, CL65 require 317 Comfort Pkg.

Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$1,100	$1,023


Comfort and Convenience Features
Keyless Go
CL500, CL55, CL600	$1,080	$1,004
Remote keyless entry and ignition-starting system. Std. CL600. NA CL65.

323/317 Comfort Pkg.
CL500	$1,610	$1,497
Multicontour front seats w/pulsating air chambers, Drive Dynamic (automatic body-securing side bolsters), and active lumbar support, heated and active-ventilated front seats.

Special wood interior trim
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$0	$0
Requires special order charge.

Heated steering wheel
CL500	$430	$400


Distronic cruise control
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$3,110	$2,892


Power trunk closer
CL500, CL55	$500	$465
Std. CL600, CL65.

Voice-activated cell phone
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$1,450	$1,349


Satellite radio
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$699	$650
Requires service fee after 14th month.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$0	$0
Some colors require special order charge.

Special order charge
CL500, CL55, CL600, CL65	$1,150	$1,150
Fee for car ordered with one or more options requiring special order charge.

2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	113.6

Overall Length, in.	196.4

Overall Width, in.	73.1

Overall Height, in.	55.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	4085

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.3

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	23.2

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	36.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.1

Rear Head Room, in.	36.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	30.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V8	Supercharged sohc V8	Turbocharged sohc V12	Turbocharged sohc V12

Size, liters/cu. in.	5.0 /303	5.4 /332	5.5 /336	6.0 /365

Horsepower @ rpm.	302 @ 5600	493 @ 6100	493 @ 5000	604 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	339 @ 2700	516 @ 2750	590 @ 1800	738 @ 2000

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	--/--	14/22	13/19	12/19

7-speed automatic	16/24	--/--	--/--	--/--

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 2-door coupe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	4/50,000	--

Free roadside assistance	--/--	Unlimited

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Germany

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Photos

Also in the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Review:

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Road Test

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Prices & Equipment

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Specs & Safety

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Photos

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Full Review

All Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

All Mercedes-Benzs