2019 Mercedes-Benz CL550 Road Test Editor's Review

2019 Mercedes-Benz CL550 Road Test Editor's Review

I seldom have the opportunity to drive cars that are as beautiful and as prestigious as the new CL-Class from Mercedes-Benz. Simply put, the CL550 is a visual masterpiece. Inspired from the newly-revamped S-Class, this premium 2-door coupe is equally well executed and -- if such thing is possible -- even more sophisticated. And while it lost a couple of doors, it's still only 30-cm shorter overall. These racy lines are mainly borrowed from the larger S-Class. Said roofline starts at the base of the A-pillars, flows in a graceful arch toward the rear and sharply ends near the trunk. This creates a sleek, extended profile, with two character lines along the sides that emphasize the beltline and add some perspective to the whole package. Up front, the headlights flow into the fenders and flank the traditional silver star grille. With such an assertive personality, other drivers will be rightfully intimidated when spotting the big CL550 in their rearview mirror. Once you've finished marvelling at the gorgeous body of this Mercedes, it's time to step behind the wheel. No compromises have been made whatsoever. The CL-Class almost treats you like a celebrity. The design is understated and refined. The materials, particularly the burl walnut wood trim and leather upholstery, display flawless fit and finish. Overall, the atmosphere is extremely plush and soothing. Access and comfort are enhanced by the absence of B-pillars, which also improves three-quarter visibility. On top of that, rear passengers can reach their seats more easily thanks to the power-sliding front buckets, which help provide generous access. As for accessories, there are so many good ones that it's virtually impossible to list them all. The COMAND system integrates the radio, CD player, GPS satellite navigation as well as controls for the optional phone and 6-disc CD changer into a single in-dash interface. A large colour LCD screen provides clear displays and crisp map readouts. The usual instruments and other driving-related data are in the mix.

In the natural resting spot for the driver's right hand, a leather-trimmed teardrop-shaped pad provides a comfortable perch for one's palm while twiddling the COMAND dial situated directly in front of it. Unlike the disappointing versions of the COMAND system we have seen recently in other Mercedes-Benz models (the 2007 Mercedes-Benz E550, the E320 BlueTec, and the SL550 models, for example), the LCD screen on the CL550 delivers stunning clarity. The maps and menus on the CL550's wide-screen display appear particularly bright, thanks to the screen's positioning deep in the dash and shading courtesy of a leather-stitched cowl. The COMAND system in the CL550 is so intuitive and easy to use that it is difficult to believe that it was designed by the same company that devised the clumsy interface in the 2007 Mercedes GL450 (among others). Using the silver dial mounted toward the front of the CL550's central console, drivers can tab between navigation, entertainment, phone menus, and system settings with ease.

Two bars across the top and bottom of the display give a clear means of tabbing between different functions, which can be done either by pushing the COMAND wheel up, down, left, or right; or by turning the dial. Most audio and navigation functions are controlled using the COMAND dial, which is situated just in front of the phone key pad. Like the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550, the CL550's navigation system features a 20GB hard drive, which enables it to provide lightning-quick response and refresh times for inputs. Programming a destination is straightforward: drivers use the COMAND wheel to select state, city, or street, then use a rotary action to select the required letters and numbers. A particularly impressive feature is the system's ability to calculate addresses by ZIP code. Like the iDrive system in upscale BMW models, the CL550's COMAND interface features haptic feedback, which gives a physical indication when the limit of a range of menu options is reached. With the destination entered, the system calculates the route in less than three seconds--a vast improvement on the navigation systems in lesser Benz models.

Zooming in and out using the dial is also impressive, as the system is able to go from a nationwide view to street-level perspective as quickly as the driver can turn the dial. Another option for zooming maps is the CL550's voice command system, activated at the push of a button on the steering wheel. Pressing the button and asking the system to zoom in or zoom out has the effect of adjusting the map by a single level of magnification at a time. Also to our liking is the CL550's turn-by-turn voice guidance for navigation routes, which we found prompt and accurate. When approaching a turn or an intersection, the map screen divides into two, with the right-hand side showing a detailed close-up of the road configuration--a nice feature for negotiating complex junctions. The Mercedes-Benz CL550's LCD screen gives crisply rendered high-resolution maps for the standard GPS navigation system.