The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS will arrive at dealerships in early 2022. For now, Mercedes-Benz is telling and showing us what we should expect from the sleek four-door. At the same time, the entry-level, rear-wheel-drive CLS 450 and the beefier AMG CLS 53 are out of the lineup, which only leaves us with the all-wheel-drive CLS 450 4Matic.

Design

The AMG Line brings extra visual goodies such as a chrome front splitter, new air intakes, and two new designs for the 19-inch alloy wheels: five-twin-spoked or multi-spoked. Two new body colors are also available, namely Tremolite Grey and High-Gloss Black.

On the inside, the biggest change is the addition of a new steering wheel. It’s wrapped in Napa leather and decorated with glossy black and silver chrome bits.

Mercedes-Benz also mentions “additional leather and trim combinations” which are nothing more than extra wood trims for the center console (Open Pore Brown Walnut and High-Gloss Grey Wood) and new leather upholstery color combos (Neva Grey/Magma Grey and Sienna Brown/Black).

Performance

As mentioned above, there’s only one 2022 CLS version left in the U.S. lineup: the mild-hybrid CLS 450 4Matic. It is based on a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder gasoline engine fitted with an integrated starter-generator and a 48-volt electrical system. Power output is 362 horsepower with torque coming it at 369 pound-feet. The ISG can provide an extra boost of up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet.

Translated into real-life behavior, the CLS 450 4Matic’s firepower leads to 0-60 mph sprints ticked in about 4.7 seconds and a top speed electronically nannied at 130 mph.

2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4MATIC specifications

Technology and Safety

The CLS already received an extensive tech update in the summer of 2020, including the likes of:

- Active Brake Assist

- Active Speed Limit Assist

- Active Stop-and-Go Assist

- Automatic parking and exiting a parking space

- MBUX (two 12.3-inch screens forming a seamless display across the dashboard)