Safety

The CLS has not been crash-tested by either the federal government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It comes equipped with seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers and side-curtain airbags for front and rear passengers.

High-tech features like blind spot and lane departure warning systems are available in an $850 option package. The two are also available in another package, for $2,950, that also includes active cruise control that enables the car to sense a forward collision and apply full braking.

The market for luxury cars is a funny thing. A stylish car with performance chops can be just as popular as a more practical selection at a lower price. The fact that the CLS sacrifices less against both its E-Class sibling and the competition should make it even more appealing to this group of buyers.

    See also:

    Selecting the ideal shift range
    Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter and hold it in position. The automatic transmission shifts to the gear which allows optimum acceleration and deceleration. To do this, the auto ...

    Notes
    The vehicle tool kit can be found in the stowage well under the cargo compartment floor. When they leave the factory, vehicles without a "Minispare" emergency spare wheel are n ...

    Parking brake
    WARNING Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle ...