Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS250 CDI Review: Enter the diesel

What we like:

Superb fuel economy

strong low and mid-range torque

distinctive styling

classy interior

What we dislike:

Lack of low speed refinement

narrow power band

The second gen CLS has one of Mercedes’ most attractive and luxurious interiors in recent memory. Up front, the driver is greeted by an attractive looking and well sized three-spoke steering wheel, hooded instruments with a colour LCD screen for the multi-function display while the COMAND screen is placed high up in the middle. Like the E-Class saloon, there’s no conventional gear lever on the centre console – gears are selected by a stalk mounted on the steering column. The view out of the driver’s seat is excellent thanks to reasonably sized A-pillars.

The new gen CLS offers more rear accommodation for two occupants than in its predecessor. Like the old model, the CLS is strictly a four-seater without an option for a five-seater rear bench.

The powers-that-be recently announced that from 1st January next year, the passenger car diesel tax would be substantially reduced to give clean diesel technology a more level playing field. The annual road tax including the diesel surcharge for a 2143cc diesel model like the CLS250 CDI is a whopping $4060. This will fall to a substantially lower $2237.20 come January 2013. The CLS250 CDI is not the most refined of diesel models out there but come 2013, it’ll make a lot of financial sense to choose the CDI over its petrol powered stable mate.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai