In the CLS, the innovative 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission comes as standard to take over the shifting. Its seven forward gears and the correspondingly smaller steps from gear to gear ensure extremely smooth gear changes with no noticeable interruption in tractive power. The 7G-TRONIC also helps reduce fuel consumption and emission values.

When changing down through the gears, 7G-TRONIC is able to skip several gears at a time, resulting in faster gear changes. This also improves the vehicle's braking effect.