Audi A7 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - Car and Driver Showdown!

Audi has been on a sizzling hot streak as of late. The brand's global sales numbers are reaching all-time highs. Audi's brand-new 2011 A8L sedan defeated the BMW 750Li along with Jaguar's hot XJL Supercharged to take first place in Car and Driver's April comparison test of the luxury flagships.

Audi's brand new A6 defeated the BMW 535i in the Edmunds Insideline comparison earlier this month.

Can Audi's A7 claim a third victory for Audi as it battles the Mercedes-Benz CLS550?

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94geo - 8/22/2011 8:22:08 AM

+4 Boost

The Mercedes wins this comparison test against the A7, and Panamera...I wonder why Germanut never posted it?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/266356/mercedes_cls_vs_rivals.html

bmwdrvr - 8/22/2011 9:44:16 AM

+3 Boost

What a hilarious comparison test, the A7 3.0T would compete with the CLS350 not the CLS550 yet they quote price difference? It will take Audis S7 to compete directly with the CLS550 and you can bet the S7 with similar specs to the CLS550 will somehow cost more but hey its caranddriver and biasnut posted so hey 2 wrongs couldnt make this one right. Not to mention the A7 is little more than a hatch version of the A6 they didnt even take the time to restyle the interior yet for some reason it costs thousands more than the A6? The CLS represents represents a complete departure from the E class its based on a brand new more luxurious interior, and brand new exterior styling. So you have a coach built e class or an A6 with a hatch.

HoustonMidtown - 8/22/2011 1:00:00 PM

-2 Boost

The CLS interior is identical to the E-Class

MeanVulcan - 8/22/2011 11:47:57 AM

-6 Boost

Somehow CD is biased on this comparo, but just not so much on the other ones where BMW or MB wins. OK. Sure thing.

The CLS has become very tacky with its bad LED immitations of the Audi. The front headlights are waaaaay overdone in tackiness and the rear ones I could not agree more with the articles' depiction of them!

The Audi really looks a lot better in person. I've inspected a white one close up at my dealership. It looks very sporty thanks to its performance tires and rims and spoiler deploy. Given the price difference I could not justify paying an extra $17 grand for getting very little more in USEFUL power.

If you think the A7 is "little more than a hatch version of the A6" then clearly you don't even bother researching your cars,t herefore your argument has absolutely no value.

One magazine's win is another's loss. Last I checked, this is the US of A not the UK, different roads, different driving, different drivers. Again, discrediting CD now, but only until next MB's win, right? (another biased opinion).

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/23/2011 5:46:52 AM

-4 Boost

Too much Logic in your comments.

That will always guarantee that you get multiple de-boosts.

94geo - 8/23/2011 8:34:01 AM

+3 Boost

Lol only American publications are credible? So I guess top gear, fifth gear, and the countless highly acclaimed Euro mags verdicts have no weight….get real.

lv_vl - 8/22/2011 12:50:07 PM

+4 Boost

Personally, I like CLS. I think it is a gorgeous car. I agree, you can't compare CLS V8 to A7 V6. I don't really care for a V8. Give me German CLS 350CDI version in US! I don't really need all that power. Heck, in Germany they even have CLS 250CDI version:

http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/germany/mpc/mpc_germany_website/de/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/cls-class/_c218/facts_/technicaldata/models.html

In fact, most German engines in CLS are diesel engines: 250/350 CDI, 350/500 BlueEfficiency, 350CDI 4matic and 500 4matic BlueEfficienty. The only gasoline engine is CLS 63 AMG.

Different countries - different gasoline/diesel prices - different engine preferences. Audi is doing a smart move by offering 2.0L engines in their sedans, and V6 in premium versions. Mercedes will have to do the same move soon.