It might be hard to imagine now with the plethora of four-door coupes on the market these days that seven years ago they didn't really exist. History buffs will no doubt claim models elsewhere, but Mercedes basically invented the idea of a sleek coupe with added practicality when it launched the first-generation CLS back in 2003 to general acclaim.
Rivals have fallen over themselves since to sacrifice at the altar of the plunging roofline, with cars like the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and the Audi A7 appearing on the scene in more recent times. The four-door coupe is now a staple luxury halo car for any self-respecting car manufacturer, and the fad is even continuing down the food chain with cars like the Passat CC.
There must have been many sleepless nights in Stuttgart trying to come up with a second generation of this genre-starting car, and Mercedes has gone for a thorough update. Lightness has been added through judicious use of aluminium, the engines have been tweaked for better economy and the interior has been overhauled.
Mercedes has to be applauded for being bold with the newest car's styling - it hasn't played it safe at all, and the aggressive looks may put off some buyers. While the interior is not as modern or nearly as bold as the exterior, it does feel quite fine if you spec it well. Headroom is slightly compromised in the rear, but it is generally a spacious and comfortable car.
It's the driver who has all the fun, though - the car is great to drive, feeling precise, responsive and occasionally even mildly raucous as well as being a relaxing motorway cruiser. You'll not really notice this car is based on the far less exclusive E Class from the drive and interior ambience. Mercedes has done well to create the feeling of something more bespoke with the CLS.
Whilst 55mpg economy might make the entry-level diesel attractive to company drivers (and don't forget to prise off those badges), the best engine on offer is the 3.0-litre unit in the 350CDI. Both economical and effortlessly quick, it trumps all the petrol units short of the CLS 500's twin-turbo V8. If you've bags of cash and have to have a petrol then that range-topper is the one to go for.
If you can get past the brusque styling then the CLS is a very rewarding prospect.