2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

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Rating8.1

Ranked #1 in 

Compact Coupe
Write Review
$114,100 - $158,700
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Two super-powerful engines offered

AWD only offered in the base trim

Remains unchanged for 2012

Precise handling and driving dynamics

Expensive price tag compared to rivals

One of the best interiors in the segment

Abysmal fuel efficiency of the V12 engine

Specs & Features

$114,100

price

429 hp @ 5250 rpm

horsepower

516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

4.7L 8cyl AWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe is a midsize coupe offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $114,100. For that price, it mainly competes with the BMW M6 Coupe, the Maserati GranTurismo Coupe, and the Jaguar XKR Coupe. Between 2 trims, the CL-Class Coupe offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 4.7L twin-turbocharged V8 capable of making 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 510 horsepower-making 5.5L twin-turbocharged V12. The V8 engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission whereas the V12 gets a 5-speed automatic transmission by default. The CL-Class reaches 60 mph from zero in 4.6 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 4.2 seconds with the V12 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the CL-Class can manage a combined fuel economy between 14 and 18 mpg. While we’re on the topic of choices, the 10 striking colors the CL-Class comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe is a well-built and luxurious car offered with two ferocious powertrains. There are two trims offered and we recommend getting the base CL 550 trim which itself is more-than-enough powerful. However, if you want something that is even more powerful and better sounding, you can go for the higher-end CL 600 trim with the V12 engine under the hood. 

Trims

    CL 550
    $114,100 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Fog/Driving lights
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Heated mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    CL 600
    $158,700 onwards
    • 19-Inch wheels
    • Blind spot warning
    • Heated and Ventilated front and rear seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Lane departure warning

Compare to similar cars

Price

$114,100- $158,700

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.1

Horsepower

510 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

612 lb.-ft. @ 1900 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$114,200- $210,300

Gasoline

7.63

430 hp @ 7900 rpm

316 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

2

Read Review

$73,600- $93,500

Gasoline

8.55

315 hp @ 5800 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

4

Read Review

$84,500- $138,000

Gasoline

7.94

385 hp @ 6500 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

4

Read Review

$89,950- $95,100

Gasoline

7.86

530 hp @ 6400 rpm

448 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

4

Read Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.21 sec13.2 sec182 mph
    3.5 sec--
    2012 Audi R8

    Ranked #2

    4.8 sec11.4 sec172 mph
    5.2 sec13.7 sec155 mph
    5.4 sec13.7 sec130 mph

    2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      15 mpg24 mpg18 mpg21.9 gal.328.5/525.6 mi.
      23 mpg33 mpg26 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/610.5 mi.
      16 mpg23 mpg19 mpg19.5 gal.312/448.5 mi.
      16 mpg24 mpg19 mpg16.1 gal.257.6/386.4 mi.
      2012 Audi R8

      Ranked #4

      13 mpg20 mpg14 mpg23.8 gal.261.8/476 mi.

      2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        199.4 in.73.7 in.55.8 in.5.1 in.116.3 in.
        192.8 in.74.6 in.53.9 in.5 in.112.4 in.

        2012 Bentley Continental GT

        Ranked #3

        189.2 in.76.5 in.55.3 in.5 in.108.1 in.
        188.7 in.74.5 in.52 in.5 in.108.3 in.
        183.9 in.74.6 in.53.9 in.4 in.109.4 in.
        2012 Audi R8

        Ranked #6

        174.4 in.75 in.49.3 in.4.3 in.104.3 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.
          16.2 cu.ft.87 cu.ft.35.7 cu.ft.
          11.7 cu.ft.74 cu.ft.11.7 cu.ft.
          8.8 cu.ft.79 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi R8

          Ranked #5

          3.5 cu.ft.-5.6 cu.ft.

          2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            65.2 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.-
            2012 Audi R8

            Ranked #2

            5.6 cu.ft.3.5 cu.ft.5.6 cu.ft.232 ft.
            35.7 cu.ft.16.2 cu.ft.35.7 cu.ft.-
            11.7 cu.ft.11.7 cu.ft.11.7 cu.ft.-
            8.8 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.73 ft.

            2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -4650 lbs.
              2012 Audi R8

              Ranked #1

              551 lbs.3605 lbs.
              -3770 lbs.
              840 lbs.3829 lbs.
              772 lbs.4001 lbs.

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              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

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