2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is essentially a carryover, with the CL 550 renamed CL 550 4MATIC to highlight its standard all-wheel drive. The engines, styling, safety equipment, cabin technology, and suspension systems otherwise continue unchanged from 2012.
About the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
3rd generation (C216), post-2011 update, second-to-last model year
Mercedes-Benz positioned the CL-Class as an S-Class-based four-seat coupe combining long-distance comfort, very strong performance, advanced safety technology, and a distinctive pillarless profile. Its defining qualities were the quiet, carefully finished cabin, usable rear seating for a large coupe, V8 or V12 power, and suspension systems designed to balance a soft ride with controlled cornering. It served shoppers seeking sedan-level luxury in a more dramatic two-door body.
The CL 550 4MATIC is the all-season grand touring model, pairing a 429-hp twin-turbo V8 and all-wheel drive with heated and ventilated leather seats, navigation, and premium audio. The CL 600 emphasizes smooth V12 power, comfort, and driver-assistance features, while the CL 63 AMG adds a 536-hp V8 and sharper performance hardware. At the top, the 621-hp CL 65 AMG combines twin-turbo V12 power with night vision, active safety features, and an actively controlled suspension.
What changed, by category
2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V12, Twin Turbo, 5.5L | V8, Twin Turbo, 5.5L | V12, Twin Turbo, 6.0L | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.6L |
| Transmission | Auto, 5-Spd Sport & ECO | Auto 7-Spd SPEEDSHIFT MCT | Auto 5-Spd AMG SPEEDSHIFT | Auto, 7-Spd Sport & ECO |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 12 mpg | 15 mpg | 12 mpg | 15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 18 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Horsepower | 510 hp | 536 hp | 621 hp | 429 hp |
| Torque | 612 lb-ft | 590 lb-ft | 738 lb-ft | 516 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 13.5 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in |
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors with Auto Brake | ||||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||||
| Night Vision System | ||||
| Park Assist | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Traction Control | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Massage Front Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class compared with the 2012 model?
The main change is that the CL 550 was renamed CL 550 4MATIC. Otherwise, the 2013 CL-Class carries over with the same engines, transmissions, drivetrains, styling, safety equipment, suspension systems, and cabin technology.
Was the 2013 CL 550 4MATIC a new model?
No. The 2013 CL 550 4MATIC is the continuing CL 550 under a more descriptive name, not an all-new trim. Its 429-hp twin-turbo V8, seven-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and adaptive air suspension carried over.
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class worth choosing over the 2012 model for new features?
Not for new features alone. The two years are substantially the same, so condition, mileage, maintenance history, and trim equipment matter more than the model-year difference.
What trims were offered for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
The 2013 lineup consists of the CL 550 4MATIC, CL 600, CL 63 AMG, and CL 65 AMG. The CL 550 uses a twin-turbo V8 with all-wheel drive, while the other three have rear-wheel drive and range from a comfort-focused V12 model to V8- and V12-powered AMG performance versions.
Was 2013 the final year of the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
No. The 2013 CL-Class was the second-to-last model year of the C216 generation in the United States. The 2014 model was the final CL-Class before Mercedes-Benz replaced it with the S-Class Coupe.