The first generation Mercedes CLS is best looking mass consumer car released of the last decade...

Ricochet J · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:15

...but the same will not be said this time next decade about the second generation CLS.

Discuss.

Vita · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:16

I quite like the new CLS tbh.

G-MAN2004 · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:18

Yes! Finally someone who agrees! Last time I posted a thread like this, everyone said it was ugly.

Definitely my favourite looking car.

Edit: As for new one.... ruined.

Housey · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:18

Don't like the CLS,it's looks don't work for me, sorry.

Gaijin · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:23

Nope me neither.

thecremeegg · 12 Mar 2011 at 15:53

I love both tbh, I think the new version has updated it without changing it completely

Participant · 12 Mar 2011 at 15:56

Thanks for the pics op. Lazy poo bum.

G-MAN2004 · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:17

Why on earth have they done that?!

Sukh · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:24

I like both, just get rid of the wide horizontal bars an comically big star and its a good'un

DanTheMan · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:30

I agree. The old CLS is, in my opinion, the most menacing looking saloon/coupe of the last decade.

The new one looks like a Vauxhall Insignia.

MarkDavis · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:56

Ricochet J said:
...but the same will not be said this time next decade about the second generation CLS.

Discuss.

The 1st gen is definitely better looking than the 2nd gen, though both have slightly awkward looking headlights.

The best looking Mercedes released in recent times though is the CL63 in my view.

RossG · 12 Mar 2011 at 17:11

Agreed. The first loosk great, the second not so much. I don't like the aggressive and angular looks Merc are styling their newer cars with. They worked better as smoother looking cars. Fitted better with their luxury brand image IMO. The older W211 E class looked better, as did the SL55 compared to the SL63. I hate what they've done with the SL. Was a pretty timeless design before, a perfect blend of luxury and seriousness in the looks department. The new aggressive front end just ruined it. Though I will second the CL63. Not quite as angular looking as most of their range now is, smoother lines, but still has an aura of aggression. Works best in black though.

GravyMonster · 12 Mar 2011 at 17:22

There seems to be a trend for massive grills in Mercedes atm. The SLS is the same and that's bloody ugly. Yes I said it.

It's the same thing on the F10 5 series. The comedy size kidney grills ruin it. They may be fubctional, but there must be something more aesthetically pleasing than what looks like Kenneth Williams doing his shocked routine.

PMKeates · 12 Mar 2011 at 17:50

The crucial thing about the original CLS is that its design effectively created a whole new segment.

thecremeegg · 12 Mar 2011 at 20:07

We all know however that the new CLS is beaten by the CL65 AMG....drool!

G-MAN2004 · 12 Mar 2011 at 20:14

thecremeegg said:
We all know however that the new CLS is beaten by the CL65 AMG....drool!

Well of course; it's in a completely different league of its own!

The £79k CLS63 is still £10k cheaper than a CL500. Crazy.

mrk · 12 Mar 2011 at 20:22

A relative has one (a 2007 I think it is) and when I sat in the driver's seat I felt cramped. I felt there was not enough room to get comfortable and each "cubicle" felt just like that.

It is the alternative to a Daim bar, big on the outside, small on the inside.

It also had its share of crap quality plastics around the trim, something I didn't expect from an executive sports saloon slash coupe!

taz488 · 12 Mar 2011 at 20:25

prefer the new one, the front looks so much better, more aggressive, an improvement as far as im concerned!

starfighter · 12 Mar 2011 at 21:27

Agrre. dffinetly the nicest "normal" car. my mum has one. Looks much nicer than my dads fiesta.

Also like the A7.

sigma · 12 Mar 2011 at 22:15

Beasts! I like them both!

The first gen is nicer looking but I'd be happy with either. They handle pretty well too IIRC?