Sophisticated greenery

Expert Rating:

Introduction

Driving an executive car needn't mean punishing the environment, as there's usually a model in the range that offers all the comfort, class and refinement you want in a more environmentally-friendly package. With the Mercedes-Benz CLS range it's the 320 CDI that fills that brief. You can have a stunning looking four-door 'coupé' with excellent performance, yet CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption that rival a middling Ford Mondeo model.

What is it?

Mercedes insists that its CLS is a four-door coupé but we've never been convinced by the tag. It's a sleek four-door saloon, Mercedes's push to call it a coupé as much to do with sneakily pointing out that - for a coupé - the CLS is spacious rather than the reality - that the CLS is a compromised saloon. Whatever your thoughts on how it's named there's no denying that the CLS is a very attractive car indeed. There are four models available: three petrol-powered options and the turbodiesel version tested here. The CDI is the star performer environmentally, though in fairness the 350 V6 petrol engine does a good job too with a over 30mpg and sub 225g/km CO₂ figure. The two petrol V8s bring far more punishing fuel economy along with their rocketship performance.

How does it drive?

The CLS 320 CDI might not have a big V8 under its bonnet, but its certainly not lacking in pace. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel is one of Mercedes's finest engines, its 224bhp and massive 398lb.ft of torque giving it the ability to reach 62mph in just seven seconds. Quick as it is the CLS 320 CDI feels better at effortless cruising, the seven-speed automatic meaning the engine is usually able to deliver its ample torque to good effect. It's quiet too, so much so that if the rev-counter didn't stop so early you could easily be convinced you were driving a petrol engine. The body control is impressive as well, with the CLS resisting roll in the bends doggedly. That's perhaps to the detriment of ride quality, which on the large alloy wheels can be a touch unsettled.

A hugely capable if not very involving driving experience, the CLS 320 CDI mixes some sporting feel with big grand touring credentials; the CLS is the perfect companion for eating up massive distances in real comfort.

Planet hugger or planet mugger?

It would be lying to say that the CLS 320 CDI is a planet hugger - but it's all relative. Within the range it's very much the most economical model with its combined consumption figure of 37.2mpg and CO₂ emissions of 200g/km. That is impressive given the performance and comfort the CLS delivers. Mercedes is striving hard to reduce its environmental impact across all models, the recently announced E-Class offering fuel economy gains of 23% on some previous-generation models. The CLS will inevitably offer similar advances when it's eventually replaced, but even so its current environmental performance in 320 CDI guise is more than decent enough for its owners to sleep easy at night.

Verdict

If stylish, executive motoring is what you're after then the CLS is a tantalising choice. With the 320 CDI turbodiesel your premium choice needn't necessarily mean pumping out lots of CO₂ and returning low mpg figures. What's more the CLS 320 CDI offers the sort of effortless performance that buyers expect in their executive cars. Really, it's such a rounded performer that there's little reason to look at any other model in the range. That it's the cheapest in the line-up is a huge bonus, not just for buyers but for the environment too.

Kyle Fortune

Monday February 2