Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 2018 Review

In recent years, Malaysia's luxury four-door coupe market has continued to heat up, with consumers pursuing the sleek lines of sporty coupes while valuing everyday practicality. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 4Matic Coupe Edition 1 precisely targets this niche market. As a representative of the AMG 53 series, it not only features a 3.0T inline six-cylinder mild hybrid engine but also carries forward Mercedes-Benz’s heritage of luxury in its configuration. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying whether its performance and everyday practicality align with its positioning, while also assessing whether the exclusive design of the Edition 1 version is worth the consumers’ investment.

From a distance, this car maintains the classic fastback design of the CLS, with well-proportioned dimensions of 5001mm in length, 1896mm in width, and 1435mm in height. This ensures the low coupe stance while also balancing interior space. The front end features the AMG family’s signature vertical-bar grille complemented by a striking three-pointed star logo, achieving high recognition. The lower front bumper incorporates sporty aerodynamic kits, while the sharp design of the side air intakes enhances the sense of performance. The smooth side profile transitions naturally from the A-pillar to the rear with streamlined fastback curves. The 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, paired with wide tires in sizes 245/35 R20 at the front and 275/30 R20 at the rear, further enhance its visual impact. At the rear, the LED taillights are treated with a smoked finish, with finely detailed internal light strips that are highly recognizable when illuminated. The lower section features a quad-outlet round exhaust layout, proudly showcasing its AMG identity. Exclusive to the Edition 1 are carbon fiber mirror housings and side skirts, adding more sporty details to the overall design.

Stepping inside, the interior continues the luxurious feel of the Mercedes-Benz family. The dashboard is wrapped in a large area of soft-touch materials, complemented by metallic trim and carbon fiber panels, offering exceptional tactility. The center console houses two 12.3-inch full LCD screens, one for the instrument cluster on the left and the other for the multimedia control on the right, both supporting touch operation and voice control with a high level of interface fluency and rich functionality. The steering wheel features AMG's signature flat-bottom design, wrapped in leather with a refined grip, and comes equipped with paddle shifters and multifunction buttons, as well as electric adjustment and memory functions. A standard HUD head-up display system projects information such as speed and navigation onto the windshield, enhancing driving convenience. The seats are designed in a sporty style, with the front seats offering electric adjustment, memory functions, and strong support thanks to their soft padding, ensuring comfort even during long periods of driving. Although headroom in the back seats is slightly constrained by the fastback design, passengers up to 175cm tall can still enjoy about one fist’s worth of headroom, and there are more than two fists of legroom, making it sufficiently spacious. The rear also comes with independent air conditioning vents and a 220V power outlet, enhancing practicality. The trunk has a capacity of 490 liters and supports a 40:20:40 split folding design, making it convenient for storing luggage or large items on a daily basis.

In terms of performance, the car is equipped with a 3.0T inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine and a 48V mild hybrid system, delivering a maximum horsepower of 441PS and a peak torque of 520N·m. It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration in just 4.5 seconds. During actual driving, switching to Comfort mode provides smooth power delivery with light and responsive acceleration, making it suitable for daily urban commuting. Switching to Sport or Sport+ mode makes the power output more aggressive, with enhanced throttle response and a strong push-back sensation when stepping on the accelerator, providing confidence during overtaking. The shift logic of the transmission is clear, with quick gear transitions and virtually no sense of lag during upshifting or downshifting. For handling, the steering is precise with minimal slack and moderate return force, while the suspension system adopts a front McPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension setup. It is tuned for sportiness but manages to filter out vibrations effectively when driving over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, ensuring cabin comfort. Body roll is well-controlled during cornering, and the all-wheel-drive system provides ample grip, delivering strong stability. As for fuel consumption, the official combined figure is 8L/100km, while actual urban driving results in about 10-11L/100km, and highway driving can lower it to 7-8L/100km, which is fairly reasonable for a performance coupe.

In terms of driving comfort, the vehicle's noise control is commendable. At a speed of 120km/h, wind and tire noise are not prominent, and engine noise is well suppressed during normal driving, only entering the cabin at high RPMs. The seats provide excellent wrapping and support, ensuring no back pain during long drives. The rear seats are equally soft, guaranteeing riding comfort. In addition, the 48V mild-hybrid system provides auxiliary power during start-up and acceleration, improving smoothness and reducing fuel consumption.

Overall, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 4Matic Coupe Edition 1's core advantage lies in its balanced performance: it combines AMG's performance genes with Mercedes-Benz's sense of luxury and practicality. Compared to the BMW M440i Gran Coupe in the same class, it boasts better power parameters and richer configurations, especially with standard features like the Burmester sound system, 360-degree panoramic imaging, and automatic parking, offering better value for money. Compared to the Audi S5 Sportback, it delivers stronger brand value and a greater sense of luxury, making it suitable for consumers pursuing quality. This car is ideal for those who want both the sporty appearance and performance of a coupe and the practicality needed for daily commuting, such as business professionals or family users aged 30-45, who value brand prestige and luxury as well as performance and interior space.

In conclusion, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 4Matic Coupe Edition 1 is a luxury four-door coupe that strikes a balance between performance, luxury, and practicality. Whether for daily commuting or weekend getaways, it meets these needs well, and the Edition 1's exclusive design makes it even more collectible. For consumers with sufficient budgets who seek well-rounded performance, this car is an excellent choice.