2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Review

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a eye-pleasing car, but it has been around for a while. Changes to this vehicle have been minor for this year, but it still is an excellent midsized vehicle. This new car guide contains photos, specs, opinions gleaned from car reviews written by owners of this vehicle, and the results of a recent road test.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a luxury vehicle with style and excellent performance. It is available in both coupe and convertible styles, with two engines to choose from: the CLK350 and the CLK550. Car pricing starts with a base MSRP of $48,100, and an invoice price of $44,733.

Improvements from the 2008 CLK-Class

There are no major changes for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, but there are a few minor changes. Heated front seats now come standard, along with a six-disc CD changer. There is a limited edition "Grand Edition" of the CLK350 available this year, which contains elements of the now-discontinued AMG line.

Performance

Two engines are available on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class: the CLK350 and the CLK550. The CLK350 comes with a 3.5 liter, 268 horsepower V6 engine with 258 pound-feet of torque that can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 6.4 seconds. The 5.5 liter, 382 horsepower CLK550 offers 391 pound feet of torque, and can speed from 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds. Both vehicles come with a seven-speed automatic transmission with the ability to shift manually. The engine is strong and handling is responsive, and the brakes stop the car confidently.

Exterior Features

The exterior of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is one of the best-looking in its class. There is no B-pillar, or strip of metal between the driver and rear passenger windows, and this gives the CLK-class a unique look. The convertible model's top is made of cloth. Standard features include front and rear fog lights, power remote driver and passenger mirrors, heated door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and daytime running lights.

Interior Features

The cabin of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is made up of luxurious materials, using chrome, wood and leather for most of the finish. There is some plastic trim. The trunk on the coupe offers 10 cubic feet of storage space, although the luggage capacity in the convertible model is slightly over 5 cubic feet. This model can comfortably seat four people, and the power seats make it easier for rear passengers to enter and exit the vehicle. Standard features on all models include dual zone automatic air conditioning, 8-way power seats for both the drive and front passenger, heated and cooled front seats, TeleAid emergency vehicle assistance, and a low tire pressure warning. All vehicles are equipped with a 6-disc CD changer with mp3 capability, an auxiliary input jack, audio controls on the steering wheel, and volume that adjusts with the speed of the vehicle. The cabin is quiet; even the convertible model, with the top up, is almost as quiet as the coupe.

Safety & Specifications

Several features enhance car safety in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. Side airbags for front passengers come standard. The coupe model comes with side curtain airbags. The convertible model comes with a roll bar that pops up in the event of a rollover; side airbags for rear passengers are optional. In order to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place, this vehicle comes with antilock disc brakes with brake assist and stability control. This vehicle comes with stolen-vehicle tracking, a theft deterrent radio, and an alarm system to deter theft of vehicle's contents.

Upgrade Options

The main difference between the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 and the CLK550 is the engine, and not the options that come with the vehicle. The same features come standard or are offered as options on both vehicles. Many of the options are available in packages. The Premium 1 package includes a sunroof (for the coupe only), satellite radio, and iPod integration. Another package, Premium 2, comes with everything in the Premium 1 package, but adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights, heated windshield washers, and power headlight washers. An appearance package is available on the CLK350, which offers different wheels and other changes to the appearance. COMAND navigation, Bluetooth integration, side airbags for rear passengers, ventilated front seats, and keyless entry and ignition are available as single options.

How the '09 CLK-Class Compares to Other Upscale Midsize Cars

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class has amazing comfort and a unique look, but it has other competitors that are worth looking at. The coupe CLK350 model gets 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while the convertible gets 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The 2010 Hyundai Genesis gets slightly better gas mileage (18 in the city and 27 on the highway) and is priced with a starting MSRP that is $15,000 less. If performance is your top concern, the 2010 BMW 3-Series offers excellent performance, better gas mileage, and comes with a base MSRP that is $16,000 less. One of the biggest downsides to the CLK-Class is the price, but if the price is not a concern, the CLK-Class is a good vehicle.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class was evaluated by Intellichoice for its ownership costs, and the Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership fir the CLK350 coupe model was estimated to be $64,527. It was labeled an "above average" value. The CLK550 would cost a little more to own, and was labeled an "average value". Both convertible models were labeled a "below average" value, but it was primarily based on the initial price difference of the vehicles, not on operating costs. Car insurance costs for the vehicles were similar for all models; The CLK350 coupe would cost approximately $1855 a year to insure for the first five years, while the CLK550 and the convertible models were only slightly higher. Each vehicle comes with a four-year, 50,000 mile basic, powertrain, and corrosion warranty, and all come with unlimited years of roadside assistance for an unlimited number of miles. The J.D. Power Quality Ratings given to the CLK-Class included two and a half power circles (out of five) for overall initial quality, four circles for overall performance and design, and three circles for predicted reliability.

Conclusion: Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class a Smart Buy?

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is not a bargain, as it is one of the most expensive vehicles in its class, but it is a great car. Owner-written auto reviews are generally positive, with owners singing praises about the car such as "big bang for the buck" and "awesome car!" The CLK-Class is comfortable, beautiful, and has great features. It is an excellent vehicle that should be considered if you are looking for a comfortable ride with great handling and luxury features.