Compare the2023 Mercedes CLSVS 2023 Porsche Panamera

The CLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Panamera’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CLS’ optional Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The CLS’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Panamera doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CLS and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CLS’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Porsche.

The CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 37 more horsepower (362 vs. 325) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 331) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the CLS gets better mileage than the Panamera Sedan running its gasoline engine:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLS higher (6 out of 10) than the Porsche Panamera (3 to 5). This means the CLS produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Panamera 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 Panamera.

For better stopping power the CLS’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The CLS has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The CLS’ standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

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. The Panamera doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 Panamera doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

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 Panamera (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the CLS get better fuel mileage.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the CLS offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The CLS has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The CLS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Panamera.

If the windows are left open on the CLS the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Panamera doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The CLS’ optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the CLS owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CLS will cost $1085 to $9200 less than the Panamera 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 $10822 to $90342 less than for the Porsche Panamera.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Porsche Panamera by over six to one during 2022.