Although the CLS550 has four doors, Mercedes-Benz insists on classifying the luxurious midsize as a coupe. Once you see it in the flesh, the semantics can be forgiven. The 550 wears its fluid coupe-inspired body to smashing effect.
What's New for 2016
All-wheel drive models now get the same nine-speed automatic transmission used on rear-drive versions. The newly available Night package adds black exterior trim.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz CLS550
Like most luxury coupes, the rear-drive CLS550 is designed to carry four passengers and features a dramatic sloping roofline. Front occupants enjoy the same spaciousness found in the E-Class sedan (on which it's based), but there's slightly less headroom and smaller windows in the rear. Such are the sacrifices you make to get the enchanting exterior styling.
The 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 402 horsepower, enough to take the 550 from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, mighty quick for a luxury four-door of this size. A nine-speed automatic transmission is used on all models, and all-wheel drive (4MATIC) is available for a mere $1,500. An adaptive air suspension and 18-inch alloy complete the mechanical setup.
As expected, the interior is slathered in wood and leather. Heated front seats with lumbar adjustments and driver memory are standard. You also get a navigation system, a rearview camera, a sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors all around, Bluetooth, voice controls, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a six-DVD/CD changer and HD and satellite radio.
The Premium package tacks on adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a power-closing trunk lid, ventilated front seats, a rear power sunshade, and keyless access and ignition. The available Lane Tracking package comes with blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning. The Driver Assistance package includes those features, plus adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping assist. You can also order the Parktronic package with front and rear parking sensors and an automated parking system. There's also a Wheel package, which provides 18- or 19-inch AMG wheels, a sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and paddle shifters (you can add the wheels only if you wish).
The new Night package outfits the CLS550 with specific wheels, tinted rear windows, and plenty of gloss black exterior trim.
The selection of individual options includes infrared night vision, heated rear seats, massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a premium Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system.
The Wheel package is the definition of bang for the buck. You pay just $500 for the AMG wheels (or $1,000 for 19s), plus $260 for the other features in the package. If that's not a deal, we don't know what is.