2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4MATIC Coupe

The third-generation CLS 450 midsize sedan is - courtesy of a sloping roofline and the word coupe - a streamlined, stylish variant of the E-Class sedan on which it’s based. The CLS 450 has a potent, super-smooth drivetrain and a class-leading, sumptuous interior. Its inline-6 engine is paired with EQ Boost, a 48-volt hybrid system; together, they deliver strong acceleration and plenty of muscle across the power band. Ride quality, steering feel, and handling strike an excellent balance between sportiness and comfort, although the 20-inch rims and firm suspension produce some harshness when the 450 encounters road imperfections. Braking is strong and assured, and all-wheel drive is standard. The 450’s elegant interior features massaging front seats, LED ambient lighting, dynamic seat bolsters, and a Burmeister stereo system with exceptional sound. Front-seat passengers fare somewhat better than those in the back, where the sloping roofline restricts headroom and, along with tight legroom, makes entry and exit a bit difficult. Visibility is good in all directions, however. On the downside, the 450’s infotainment system is not intuitive and has a steep learning curve, and the dash contains some lessthan- classy piano-black paneling. Perhaps most vexing, though, are charges for features you’d expect to be standard on a $73,000-baseprice vehicle, e.g., $6,500 for a custom paint color and almost $2,000 for an ADAS package. In fact, our test vehicle had nearly $22,000 in options.