2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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Rating7.8

Ranked #9 in 

Midsize Sedan
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$72,000 - $74,500
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Outrageous performance with the V8 engine

Cramped rear seats with scanty headroom

A new Bang & Olufsen premium audio added as an option

Engaging handling on curvy roads

Poor rear visibility

Updated mbrace telematics system

Immense list of comfort and safety features

Beautifully crafted cabin

Specs & Features

$72,000

price

402 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

443 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

4.7L 8cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Competing in the midsize sedan segment, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sedan is a direct competitor to the Audi S6 and the BMW 5 Series 550i. With a single trim, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sedan carries an MSRP of $72,100, going all the way up to $74,500 for the all-wheel drive 4Matic trim. It offers a 4.7L twin-turbocharged V8 engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission, producing 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Through this powertrain, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sedan manages a 0-60 of 4.6 seconds and a combined fuel economy between 19 and 20 MPG.

Buying Advice

The Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 is equipped with all the uber comforts by default. The only choice here is between the drive train offered. The 4Matic all-wheel drive is our choice, as it improves the traction and road grip for better handling and confidence while driving. That said, we also recommend some add-ons like the massaging front seats with active bolsters, a heated steering wheel, a night-view display, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.

Trims

    CLS 550
    $72,000 onwards
    • 10-way power adjustable heated front seat
    • 18-Inch wheels
    • 4-way lumbar support
    • 7-inch touch-screen display audio
    • Auto-Dimming side mirrors
    • Bi-Xenon headlamps
    • Dual-Zone automatic climate control
    • Leather upholstery
    • Navigation system
    • Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$72,000- $74,500

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.76

Horsepower

402 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

443 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$71,900

Gasoline

8.2

420 hp @ 5500 rpm

406 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$60,100- $66,150

Gasoline

7.9

310 hp @ 5500 rpm

325 lb.-ft. @ 2900 rpm

4

Read Review

$90,200

Gasoline

8.37

560 hp @ 6000 rpm

500 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$63,215

Gasoline

7.6

556 hp @ 6100 rpm

551 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

$46,975- $99,000

Gasoline

7.63

240 hp @ 5500 rpm

251 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$75,850- $175,300

Gasoline

7.93

300 hp @ 6200 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3750 rpm

4

Read Review

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.18 sec12.4 sec183 mph
    2013 BMW M5

    Ranked #1

    3.7 sec11.9 sec-
    3.9 sec12.1 sec-
    2013 Audi S6

    Ranked #3

    4.5 sec13.1 sec155 mph
    5.4 sec14 sec160 mph
    2013 Audi A7

    Ranked #5

    5.4 sec14.2 sec130 mph

    2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg21.1 gal.358.7/527.5 mi.
      19 mpg30 mpg23 mpg18.4 gal.349.6/552 mi.
      2013 Audi A7

      Ranked #2

      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg19.8 gal.356.4/554.4 mi.
      18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg21.1 gal.475.2/712.8 mi.
      2013 Audi S6

      Ranked #3

      17 mpg27 mpg20 mpg19.8 gal.336.6/534.6 mi.
      14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg18 gal.252/342 mi.

      2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        193.6 in.74.1 in.55.8 in.5 in.113.2 in.

        2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63

        Ranked #1

        196.7 in.74.1 in.55.4 in.5 in.113.2 in.
        195.7 in.76 in.55.8 in.5.7 in.114.9 in.
        2013 Audi A7

        Ranked #3

        195.6 in.75.2 in.55.9 in.5 in.114.7 in.
        195.3 in.73.9 in.57.5 in.4 in.114.5 in.
        2013 Audi S6

        Ranked #5

        193.9 in.73.8 in.57.8 in.5 in.114.6 in.

        2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.3 cu.ft.104.3 cu.ft.-
          2013 Audi A7

          Ranked #1

          24.5 cu.ft.94 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.
          2013 Audi S6

          Ranked #2

          14.1 cu.ft.98 cu.ft.74.7 cu.ft.
          2013 BMW M5

          Ranked #3

          14 cu.ft.133.4 cu.ft.74.4 cu.ft.
          15.7 cu.ft.98 cu.ft.44.6 cu.ft.
          17.7 cu.ft.104 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.

          2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            -15.3 cu.ft.--
            2013 Audi S6

            Ranked #2

            74.7 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.74.7 cu.ft.6 ft.
            16.2 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.-
            44.6 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.44.6 cu.ft.-
            2013 BMW M5

            Ranked #5

            74.4 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.74.4 cu.ft.-
            15.7 cu.ft.13.6 cu.ft.13.6 cu.ft.-

            2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1070 lbs.4158 lbs.
              2013 BMW M5

              Ranked #1

              970 lbs.4387 lbs.
              1334 lbs.3880 lbs.
              -4220 lbs.
              2013 Audi A7

              Ranked #1

              992 lbs.4167 lbs.
              2013 Audi S6

              Ranked #1

              1102 lbs.4398 lbs.

              Top Mercedes-Benz Cars

              2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG CL 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 14 mpg

              0-60 : 3.78 sec

              #1

              2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

              Horsepower : 563 hp @ 6800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 3.15 sec

              #2

              2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63

              Horsepower : 544 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 13 mpg

              0-60 : 5.01 sec

              #3

              2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG CL 63

              Horsepower : 536 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 4.09 sec

              #4

              2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63

              Horsepower : 451 hp @ 6800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 4.4 sec

              #5

              2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

              Horsepower : 429 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 5.21 sec

              #6

              2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

              Horsepower : 429 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 4.5 sec

              #7

              2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

              Horsepower : 429 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 5.44 sec

              #8

              2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

              Horsepower : 402 hp @ 5000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 5.18 sec

              #9

              2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

              Horsepower : 382 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 13 mpg

              0-60 : 6.43 sec

              #10