MERCEDES claims to have invented the four door coupe with the first generation CLS.
It’s swoopy, glamorous body and tried and tested E-Class underpinnings certainly shook things up in the executive class when the car was launched in 2005.
Both VW, with the Passat CC, and Audi, with the slinky A7, have used the formula since and both have done well.
The recent launch of the second generation model has got us thinking though – firstly, isn’t a four door coupe a description of almost all Jaguar saloons and secondly, why spend £50,000 on a new CLS when you can get an pampered example of the previous car for a fraction of that?
Or, for even less cash, a high spec Passat CC so here’s a direct comparison of those to cars with the Jaguar XF. A car which looks just as sexy and also has just as little rear headroom.
Mercedes CLS
Diesel CLS prices are harder than Phil Mitchell but you can get a nice smooth petrol for very little money. Remember that these petrol cars are usually private purchases and are pampered so a five year old V8 petrol (which will be loaded with every extra you can think of) will only have around 40,000 miles on the clock. Pay over £2,000 more for a diesel but you will have to live with much higher miles.
UsedCarExpert.co.uk price guide: Pay no more than £18,000 for a well looked after, five year old CLS 500 with less than 50,000 miles on the clock.
VW Passat CC
The normal VW Passat is a fairly staid saloon from the German giant that majors on practicality, comfort and ease of use. The CC though, is utterly different. It’s a very slinky four door coupe which sacrifices a little rear headroom for a CLS rivaling dose of style. It drives well too, particularly with the 1.8 turbo petrol motor which really suits the refined nature of the car. The Passat CC offers a lot of the style of the Mercedes CLS but with much lower running costs.
UsedCarExpert.co.uk price guide: A lightly used and we cared for three year old, 1.8 turbo petrol can be yours for around £14,000 with less than 40,000 miles on the clock.
Jaguar XF
The XF is a modern take on the classic Jaguar saloon. That means that it sacrifices interior space for a little style. The XF is nowhere near as roomy as the Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 series and for this reason you might view it as more of a rival to the Mercedes CLS or Audi A7. It’s sublime to dirve and has a truly impressive cabin. Early V6 petrol cars are a stand out bargain.
UsedCarExpert.co.uk price guide: A pampered Jaguar XF 3.0 petrol can be yours from £22,500 at a mere three years old with less than 25,000 miles already covered. A credible rival to a new CLS at less than half the price.