Used Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake 2012 - 2018 review

The trouble with being voguish in the motoring world is that the niche being filled might not be a particularly strong-selling one. The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake is a prime example of this; it was only on sale for six years and wasn’t replaced. Buyers preferred SUVs with coupé styling, instead. Shame, really, because besides its rakish roofline, a used CLS Shooting Brake has a lot going for it.

Despite its fairly radical exterior looks, its engine range was conventional and shared with other Mercedes models. The sensible choices were the two four-cylinder, 2.1-litre diesels with either 175bhp (220d) or 201bhp (250d). There’s also a larger and more refined 258bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel (350d), or, for those who think nothing of forking out for petrol, there’s a hugely fast 5.5-litre V8 (63 AMG) with either 525, 557, or 577bhp outputs.

On the road, the CLS is a refined cruiser, with low levels of wind and engine noise. The steering is light and effortless, but certainly not the sharpest. It still manages to be precise and reassuring at higher speeds, though. The ride depends upon which suspension option the car has been fitted with; the standard suspension set-up can be a bit firm, and things are only made worse with the ‘sports’ suspension fitted to AMG Sport models. Air suspension is standard on the rear axle of the CLS Shooting Brake, but its main job is to deal with heavy loads in the boot, so you’ll need to find an example fitted with full air suspension to be able to select a ‘comfort’ setting for a smoother ride.

The interior is well made, though, with lots of dense, soft-touch plastics and even leather covering the top of the dashboard, and you had a choice of wood inserts and even carbonfibre trim on top-spec AMG cars. There won’t be any complaints from those in the front over the amount of available room, and there’s lots of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel for a driver to find their ideal position.

Due to the reduced height of the roofline, if you regularly carry taller passengers in the back, you might find that their heads touching the roof lining. If this is the case, you might be better served buying a regular Mercedes E-Class Estate, since there is more space in that car. Keep in mind that, while the CLS Shooting Brake does have five seats, the limited head room and large central tunnel makes carrying five suitable only for short trips.

Boot space, in terms of total volume is actually rather good. It’s bigger, even, than a Jaguar XF Sportbrake. However, the restrictive opening and sill that you have to lift items over conspire to hamper practicality.

Standard equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, an electric tailgate, 18in alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a Becker sat nav system, DAB radio and leather seats. AMG Sport endows the CLS with 19in alloy wheels, a sporty body kit, sport-tuned suspension, LED headlights, heated front sports seats, alloy pedals and Mercedes' Comand infotainment system.

AMG Line became the default choice from 2014 onwards and made heated front seats and the Comand infotainment system standard, but you could also add a couple of option packs if you wanted more toys. The Premium pack included an electric sunroof and reversing camera, while the Premium Plus pack added keyless go and an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system. The top-of-the-range 63 AMG has a beefy bodykit, a different front grille, rear spoiler and sports exhaust. Inside, there are numerous AMG details and even a race timer.

You can buy a CLS Shooting Brake for a little under £10,000 if you are prepared to put up with a high mileage. If you want something that's covered fewer miles, a 2013 example with a below-average mileage will set you back £12,500-£13,000. A facelifted car, from late 2014 onwards with and average number of miles on it can be had for around £19,000. If you want one of the bonkers 63 AMG versions, be prepared to pay handsomely for the privilege; you’ll need at least £25,000 to buy one.

Check the value of a used Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake with What Car? Valuations

Unless you’re looking at a 63 AMG with its 27.9mpg fuel economy and 235g/km CO2 emissions, the CLS Shooting Brake shouldn’t cost you a fortune during daily driving. The most efficient is the 220 diesel (56.5mpg and 129g/km) that became available after the 2014 facelift. Before that, the 250 diesel was the most economical at 53.3mpg, with emissions of 161g/km. The six-cylinder 350 diesel isn’t too far behind the 220 and 250 for economy, though, with figures of 47.1mpg and 161g/km.

A CLS registered before 1 April 2017 will fall under the old road tax system that assigned a yearly fee based upon CO2 emissions, whereas anything registered after this date will be charged a flat rate fee, with the possibility of a further fee levied on anything that cost more than £40,000 when new.

Of course, every CLS cost significantly more than this when new, so owners of examples registered on or after that date have to pay the top rate of road tax until the vehicle is six years old, after when it will drops back down to the flat rate fee. To find out more about road tax costs, click here.

Mercedes servicing, meanwhile, is some of the most expensive around. It currently costs £936 if you pre-pay for two services on a normal CLS, and £1176 if it’s a 63 AMG. It might, therefore, be worth finding an independent Mercedes specialist; they may be able to perform the same maintenance tasks at a lower cost.

We’d recommend going for a later, post-facelift CLS because it gives you a bit more equipment over the those examples built before the refresh. You might want to also look out for the Premium pack because it adds a reversing camera.

Because we’re recommending the later car, we’d suggest you go for the entry-level 220 diesel engine for the lowest fuel and road tax costs.

Our favourite Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake: 220 AMG Line

The CLS Shooting Brake is pretty unique in the class of swoopy estates, but the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is perhaps a close second in terms of style. The boot in the XF is a little bit smaller, but you will be able to pick a Jaguar up for less money than a Mercedes.

If practicality is what you’re after but still want a Mercedes, try an E-Class Estate. It won’t look as cool, perhaps, but it is much more practical because of its boxy shape.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here