Compare the2023 Mercedes CLSVS 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes CLS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes CLS are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The CLS has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s blind spot costs extra.

Both the CLS and 8 Series Gran Coupe offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the But the CLS with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert also has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CLS and the 8 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CLS’ warranty.

The CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (362 vs. 335) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 368) than the 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CLS gets better mileage than the 8 Series Gran Coupe:

The CLS has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (21.1 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLS higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe (3). This means the CLS produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the CLS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The CLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The CLS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the CLS’ turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the 840i Gran Coupe’s (39 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The CLS’ turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the M850i Gran Coupe’s (39 feet vs. 41.4 feet).

The CLS is 3.9 inches shorter than the 8 Series Gran Coupe, making the CLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes CLS amounts to more than styling. The CLS has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (.3 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the CLS get better fuel mileage.

The CLS has .6 inches more front shoulder room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the CLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The CLS has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The CLS offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes CLS offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The CLS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the CLS owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CLS will cost $1100 to $5470 less than the 8 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes CLS will be $6630 to $48112 less than for the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the BMW 8 Series by almost three to one during 2022.