Let's start with the most important thing: that big, beefy V8 biturbo engine. Good for 518 horsepower and nearly as many torques, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG isn't just a jumble of letters it's a jumble of pure, unadulterated power -- and I loved it, and hated it.
OK, maybe “hate” is a strong word. I became quite annoyed with it throughout the week might be a better way to explain my feelings towards the CLS AMG after seven days behind the wheel. Without a doubt, the car put a smile on my face every day, but it also had me grumbling under my breath about things I shouldn’t have to grumble about when the price is north of $100k.
What is the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63?
An executive-class coupe sedan -- or a grand coupe -- the CLS Class has been around since the mid 2000s. Large and in charge, the CLS offers the look and feel of a sporty coupe without sacrificing on interior space or number of doors (it has four).
Tack on three extra letters to the name and you’ve got yourself a real beast of a vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG. Those three extra letters add a whole lot of grunt to the CLS 63 with a bigger engine and lots of AMG sport performance bits and pieces such as suspensions, exterior aesthetic changes, as well as the prestige that comes with owning an AMG machine.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Price and Specs
As this is a grand coupe, you have to expect that everything about this car is a bit large from specs to price. Truthfully, of our grand coupe quartet comparison lineup, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG was the cheapest starting at just $113,500. In its exact tester trim, the CLS AMG tipped the price scale at $120,900 – again, quite a bargain compared to the other three.
In terms of the other large numbers associated with this big coupe are its performance figures: Equipped with a snarling V8 biturbo good for 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, the 2014 CLS 63 AMG will see 100km from a dead stop in just 4.4 seconds despite its 1,870 kg curb weight.
All that power is pushed out the rear wheels most of the time until the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system feels the need to kick in for more grip, and is controlled via Mercedes’ AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sport automatic transmission. Top speed is limited at 250km/hr.
Driving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
There’s no denying this thing is ridiculously fast, but there was just something off about it all. For starters, drive position is so important in a sport-oriented car like the CLS 63 AMG and getting comfortable in this particular Mercedes-Benz was damn near impossible. I thought, perhaps, it was my small stature that was the issue, but the three other drivers on our comparison who also got behind the wheel of the Merc (all bigger guys) felt the same way.
The bolstering on the driver’s seat in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG hinders turning ability as elbows smash into it and you either have to tuck your elbow into your side or jut it out like a chicken wing. Visibility in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG was also the poorest -- and this I know is because I’m vertically challenged.
Alright, enough complaining about sitting still; let’s talk about going quickly, because truthfully this grand coupe is bloody quick. Possibly one of the best sounding of the bunch, the CLS AMG barks to life in such a fantastic way, I found myself wanting to turn the engine on and off as often as possible just to hear it.
Handling in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG is nothing short of fantastic. The thing with grand coupes is they can be rather, well, grand in length; The CLS AMG is just that, however, it still manages to tackle the twisties like any good sporty coupe should.
Inside and Out of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
While the exterior of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG has some stunning, smooth lines, the rear door openings pay the price for that coupe look. Entry and exit isn't easy, and placing a child in a baby seat is even more difficult due to the rake of the roofline. However, that brutish, masculine front end almost makes up for it all.
Inside, the cabin is lavish in emblematic Mercedes-Benz fashion, and German in a typically organized, clinically clean and concise way. While you might expect plenty of legroom in the rear, it’s actually quite cramped.
Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
There are some rather grand Germans biting at the CLS 63 AMg’s heels… Or is it the other way around? The BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Audi RS 7 offer fantastic iterations of this rather unique configuration and styling. Is the Merc better? In some ways, yes, but in others it falls behind just enough to put it last in our comparo test
OK, maybe “hate” is a strong word. I became quite annoyed with it throughout the week might be a better way to explain my feelings towards the CLS AMG after seven days behind the wheel. Without a doubt, the car put a smile on my face every day, but it also had me grumbling under my breath about things I shouldn’t have to grumble about when the price is north of $100k.
 |
What is the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63?
An executive-class coupe sedan -- or a grand coupe -- the CLS Class has been around since the mid 2000s. Large and in charge, the CLS offers the look and feel of a sporty coupe without sacrificing on interior space or number of doors (it has four).
Tack on three extra letters to the name and you’ve got yourself a real beast of a vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG. Those three extra letters add a whole lot of grunt to the CLS 63 with a bigger engine and lots of AMG sport performance bits and pieces such as suspensions, exterior aesthetic changes, as well as the prestige that comes with owning an AMG machine.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Price and Specs
As this is a grand coupe, you have to expect that everything about this car is a bit large from specs to price. Truthfully, of our grand coupe quartet comparison lineup, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG was the cheapest starting at just $113,500. In its exact tester trim, the CLS AMG tipped the price scale at $120,900 – again, quite a bargain compared to the other three.
In terms of the other large numbers associated with this big coupe are its performance figures: Equipped with a snarling V8 biturbo good for 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, the 2014 CLS 63 AMG will see 100km from a dead stop in just 4.4 seconds despite its 1,870 kg curb weight.
All that power is pushed out the rear wheels most of the time until the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system feels the need to kick in for more grip, and is controlled via Mercedes’ AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sport automatic transmission. Top speed is limited at 250km/hr.
 |
| An executive-class coupe sedan -- or a grand coupe -- the CLS Class has been around since the mid 2000s. (Photo: Auto123.TV) |
Driving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
There’s no denying this thing is ridiculously fast, but there was just something off about it all. For starters, drive position is so important in a sport-oriented car like the CLS 63 AMG and getting comfortable in this particular Mercedes-Benz was damn near impossible. I thought, perhaps, it was my small stature that was the issue, but the three other drivers on our comparison who also got behind the wheel of the Merc (all bigger guys) felt the same way.
The bolstering on the driver’s seat in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG hinders turning ability as elbows smash into it and you either have to tuck your elbow into your side or jut it out like a chicken wing. Visibility in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG was also the poorest -- and this I know is because I’m vertically challenged.
Alright, enough complaining about sitting still; let’s talk about going quickly, because truthfully this grand coupe is bloody quick. Possibly one of the best sounding of the bunch, the CLS AMG barks to life in such a fantastic way, I found myself wanting to turn the engine on and off as often as possible just to hear it.
Handling in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG is nothing short of fantastic. The thing with grand coupes is they can be rather, well, grand in length; The CLS AMG is just that, however, it still manages to tackle the twisties like any good sporty coupe should.
 |
| There’s no denying this thing is ridiculously fast, but there was just something off about it all. (Photo: Auto123.TV) |
Inside and Out of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
While the exterior of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG has some stunning, smooth lines, the rear door openings pay the price for that coupe look. Entry and exit isn't easy, and placing a child in a baby seat is even more difficult due to the rake of the roofline. However, that brutish, masculine front end almost makes up for it all.
Inside, the cabin is lavish in emblematic Mercedes-Benz fashion, and German in a typically organized, clinically clean and concise way. While you might expect plenty of legroom in the rear, it’s actually quite cramped.
 |
| Inside, the cabin is lavish in emblematic Mercedes-Benz fashion, and German in a typically organized, clinically clean and concise way. (Photo: Auto123.TV) |
Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
There are some rather grand Germans biting at the CLS 63 AMg’s heels… Or is it the other way around? The BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Audi RS 7 offer fantastic iterations of this rather unique configuration and styling. Is the Merc better? In some ways, yes, but in others it falls behind just enough to put it last in our comparo test
Road Tests and Reviews
Experts
Consumers
2014 Mercedes CLS-Class
Review Highlights
2014 Mercedes CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC
2014 Mercedes CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC
Article Gallery