Almost all Mercedes vehicles have a great look and style. They are flashy and attractive both on the inside and outside. The interior in their newer models is beautiful and I just don’t know anyone that thinks otherwise. The 2023 CLS53 AMG Coupe is no different, although I am not a fan of coupes, this 4-door coupe sure was great.
Engine/Transmission
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLS53 4Matic+ Coupe has a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 engine and a 48V ISG System or Mild Hybrid which is essentially an electric boost to the engine. It produces 429hp and 384lb-ft of torque through a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 0-60mph (96km/h) can be reached in 4.5 seconds. The CLS53 AMG is rated for 11.6L/100km in a city and 8.8L/100km on a highway but I averaged 10.2L/100km combined city and highway driving.
Handling/Performance
Although it is quite fast, the acceleration does not feel super exciting. You don’t feel that pushback that you’d feel as strongly as in the V8 AMG models. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a very fun car to drive around and hearing the exhaust sound is great! It is equipped with comfort, sport, sport + and Race modes. While in comfort mode, gearshifts are smooth, and the ride is comfortable. In sport + and race mode, gear shifts are also smooth but of course with more feedback as you use the paddle shifters. Steering also is more responsive as it is not too stiff while driving on a windy road. You will also notice the difference on the suspension as it stiffens up a bit on sport + and race mode, this of course gives it that sporty feel. My favourite thing about the CLS53 is the popping sound when pushing the throttle and releasing it while on a lower gear, it is just awesome! Paddle shifting on comfort mode will be significantly quieter whereas on sport + and race mode, it will be a bit louder. The CLS53 AMG is a mix of comfort and sport. Driving around in comfort mode will have you driving civilized but as soon as you switch it to sport + it’s also a switch on you wanting to drive enthusiastically.
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Comfort
The CLS53 AMG has comfortable seats, I had no issues with sitting for long periods of time. I had plenty of leg room but not so much headroom, especially because I do like to raise my seat. I had to adjust my seat a bit lower than my usual seating position. This is me at 5ft 10 so anyone shorter I don’t think would have any issues but also just depends on how you like to position your seat when driving. The seats are also comfortable in the back, it almost has that hugging feel to it or bolster like seats which is what makes them comfortable. Legroom and headroom are also not a whole lot and if the driver’s seat is pushed back, it can get a bit squishy. The nice thing about the driver and front passenger seats is that they have indents on the back so to give a bit of knee space for passengers. The middle spot however is not as comfortable, as you will have to spread your legs due to the hump in the middle. Not a big deal in my opinion but just something to note.
Interior
The 2023 CLS53 AMG is simply aesthetically pleasing to me. All the features like the ambient lighting, cluster display, the touchscreen, and the materials used throughout the cabin are nice. It is equipped with Nappa leather upholstery seats. Now of course the more packages you add, the more the cost adds up but also the better looking it gets both inside and outside. It is equipped with dual 12.3-inch displays. The touchscreen is straightforward to use so no issues, I did feel like it lagged a bit but not extreme so not a big deal.
Exterior
It has a great look to it although every time I see a coupe, the shape of a wireless mouse comes to mind. This CLS53 AMG has a bit of a different shape to its rear end so I like it a bit more. The front grille is stylish and is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 20-inch as an option. A few features on the exterior will depend on which packages you choose but regardless, it has a great look.
Pros/Cons
Overall, the CLS53 AMG Coupe is an exciting car to be driving around in. It is stylish, fast, comfortable and somewhat comfortable for the backseats at least. It is not too bad on gas but if you can afford a car like this, gas prices are most likely not an issue. Although it is not a V8, it has got plenty of power to enjoy. Starting price of $99,900CAD and priced as equipped is $118,750CAD. For those in the US, the CLS53 AMG was discontinued for the 2023 model year. For the price tag, you have other options to choose from that may be a bit more spacious like the E53 AMG. Due to the styling of the CLS53, the backseat and trunk space is less.
