Mercedes-Benz CLS 550
Sedan · Gasoline · FWD
vs
BMW 540i
Sedan · Gasoline · FWD
Mercedes-Benz CLS 550
Car A
Mercedes-Benz CLS 550
The Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 pairs V8 punch (402 hp, 0–100 km/h in 4.6 s) with a usable 5-seat cabin and 520 L of luggage space, making it a premium choice for road trips and growing families. Its 9.9 L/100 km combined figure is efficient for its class, though city driving and cargo‑heavy use aren’t its strengths.
5 seatsSedanGasoline5-star safety402 hp
BMW 540i
Car B
BMW 540i
The BMW 540i is a premium saloon that blends 340 hp pace with five-seat comfort and a useful 530 L boot for family and road‑trip duty. It’s less compelling for cargo‑heavy or urban use, and its front‑wheel‑drive character may not suit enthusiasts.
5 seatsSedanGasoline5-star safety8 L/100km
Why compared cross brandsame body typesame powertrainsame seatssimilar price

Usage fit

Family 63 / 65
City 28 / 30
Budget / value 43 / 45
Road trip 66 / 63
Performance 37 / 33
Cargo 29 / 29
Practical 41 / 45
Premium 64 / 65
Winter 30 / 30

Scores out of 100. Blue = Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 · Orange = BMW 540i

Specs side-by-side

Spec Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 BMW 540i
Values are representative — confirm for your market and trim.

Pros & cons

Mercedes-Benz CLS 550

  • V8 performance with 402 hp and 0–100 km/h in 4.6 s for confident passing.
  • Room for five and 520 L of trunk space supports family road trips.
  • Efficient for its class at 9.9 L/100 km given the output.
  • Safety ranks highly in our data for this model.

BMW 540i

  • Strong performance (340 hp, 4.3 s 0–100 km/h) for confident passing and merging
  • Five seats and a 530 L trunk work well for growing families and road trips
  • Safety ranks highly in its positioning, aligning with family priorities
  • Efficient for its class at 8 L/100 km given the power on tap

Verdict

Pick Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 if…
Lower entry price
Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 starts lower, making it the stronger value pick if budget is a priority.
Pick BMW 540i if…
Performance & capability
BMW 540i is the choice if you want more power, speed, or all-weather capability.

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