Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake 2015 Review

Back in the dim dark past, y'know the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz cars had a certain reputation for comfort. 'Let those crazies down the road at BMW sacrifice serene progress for sporting prowess', the more mature Stuttgart folk seemed to be saying.

Times have certainly changed; now Benz is in there with the best of them chucking liquorice strap tyres and lowered sports suspension at just about anything with a three-pointed star. The debate over the ride quality of the latest C-Class which has taken place here and in other motoring publications is a good example of that.

So it was a surprise to be driving along in the recently updated CLS 250 CDI Shooting Brake (or wagon for us poor folks) and realise that despite its 'shock of the new styling' and 21st century 'niche-within-a-niche' marketing pitch, it evoked old-style Benz. Well, in some ways.

Despite the low profile Pirelli PZeros (285/30R19s on the back and 255/35R19s on the front) barely keeping the rims off the bitumen, the Airmatic air springs set to 'comfort' ensured this was a really supple car. It rolled over chopped up bitumen, shielding callouses that cause other cars to leap, lurch or at least patter continuously.

Not only that, the thing is stuffed with so much noise deadening material neither the massive tyres, clattery 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine or coarse chip roads made a dint on the quiet and calm of the cabin.

Through all this what the CLS does sacrifice is something of a sharp driving edge. It is not blunt, but Comfort mode does means some loss of dexterity. Dial up to Sport and the body is more controlled, but inputs also become more obvious. Steering is always light and never truly communicative or involving.

The engine has oodles of torque, so it's almost a set and forget proposition. The narrow powerband between mid-teens and just over 4000rpm means it's a self-defeating exercise to bother changing gears by flappy paddles. Sport mode for the transmission is all you need.

Even when pushed along the CLS managed a 7.6L/100km fuel consumption average (versus a 5.6L/100km claim). That result, for a 4953mm long, 1865kg load lugger is pretty impressive.

Unarguably, at $124,900 (plus on-road costs) the CLS 250 CDI should be this complete and capable. But plenty of luxury cars that cost as much or more aren't. And some of them are Benzes.

Air suspension for the CLS is not new, in fact the fundamentals are unchanged for this wagon version despite an update that rolled out in January with some worthwhile new gear.

It's still long, low and rounded off, seats up-to-five and can offer up to 1550 litres of luggage space (525 litres with the rear seats upright). The carry-over 2.1-litre twin turbo diesel four-cylinder engine still produces 150kW and a meaty 500Nm and drives the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. Fundamentally, underneath it all, the CLS has intrinsic mechanical bonds with the more formal E-Class.

So what's new? There are clever multi-beam LED headlights that are brighter than xenons, cast their high and low beam more accurately and even interact with the sat-nav system to determine when a headlight might need to be angled to add illumination. Say, somewhere like a roundabout. Cleverly, the anti-dazzle main beam, working with a camera mounted in the windscreen, tailors the projection of light to shield oncoming cars.

It definitely provides a startlingly clear view, but the way the beam obviously changes and switches its spread depending on what the camera perceives to be coming (reflective warning signs for instance), is a bit off-putting, especially at first. You can elect to swap between high and low beam yourself if you like.

The CLS also has important new and enhanced driver assistance and safety systems that are gradually rolling out across the Benz range. They enhance the car's ability to 'see' what is around it via sensors and cameras and respond accordingly. So the CLS can steer itself temporarily, react to traffic and pedestrians crossing its path, brake autonomously for stationary vehicles and avoid traffic in adjacent lanes.

All this layers over a suite of established safety features including active cruise control, anticipatory braking, crash preparation, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning. There are 11 airbags, but no ANCAP safety rating...

A 360-degree camera is also added to the equipment list, which along with sensors is a boon for parking this long car with its limited rear-ward view. A tablet-style media screen now sits at the top of the centre stack, there's a new three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel with power adjustment and a sparkly diamond grille.

The wagon also gets a rather striking cherry wood inlay in the luggage area that seems durable as well as good looking, easy-pack load securing kit and privacy glass.

Other standard equipment includes hard-disc navigation, 10GB music register, voice activation, internet access, digital radio, Harmon Kardon audio, climate control, a power operated tailgate, a sunroof, and keyless access and engine start.

The CLS range has also been adjusted with the AMG CLS 63 wagon dropped and replaced by a CLS 500 twin-turbo 4.7-litre V8 with a new nine-speed auto. Meanwhile a CLS 400 twin-turbo V6 has joined what Benz calls the 'four door coupe' (or what us poor folks call a sedan) line-up.

The pricing of the 250 CDI wagon is roughly equivalent with the old model, which finished up with the '10 Edition' late last year. That name denotes the 10th anniversary of the original CLS four-door, which has spawned various other fashion items including the Porsche Panamera, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and Audi A7.

Everyone's opinion of styling is different, but to me the CLS wagon is better looking than the droopy sedan. Its extended roof works better and it really had presence in the 'Obsidian Black' metallic of our test car.

The inside is rather nice too, done out in the AMG Line trim including black leather for the exceptionally supportive front seats. There is also black ash high-gloss wood trim, metal surrounds for the analogue clock in the centre of the dash and the air-conditioning vents.

There is decent storage including door pockets, under-seat slide out trays, cupholders, a lidded bin and decently sized glovebox.

But it is an interior somewhere between old and new school Benz; there is a foot park brake but the gear shifter has been moved up to the right side of the steering column where you can mistake it for the indicator stalk until you adjust – the worst you can do is knock it into neutral. There is a Comand controller for various functions – as well as plenty of buttons. But the new finger-touch mouse pad from the C-Class hasn't made its way up-stream yet.

Rear seat passengers sit high and bolt upright, but there is room for tall outboard occupants despite the sunroof. It's not generous but nor is it truly cramped – that applies to the middle-rear seat which is cruelled by the transmission tunnel.

But the rear doors do open wide and there are controllable rear air-con vents set in the back of the centre console, pockets in both seats and small door bins.

The luggage area can be opened remotely to reveal a low loading height protected by a scuff guard, mounts for three top tethers, a storage net on the right-side and a space-saver spare tyre under the floor. Once you flop the rear seats down – a one touch operation, a mountain bike is easily accommodated.

Which leaves us packed and ready to go. And that is an enticing prospect in the CLS 250 CDI Shooting Brake. Comfortable, capable, good looking, relaxing. A really nice drive. Nice to see Benz can still do old-school when it wants to…