Mercedes four-door CLA saloon / coupé delivers the goods in style, at a price, with nearly every conceivable option that can be ticked to satisfy. The driver environment looks and feels expensive and the MBUX system’s voice control is on another level. There’s plenty of space up front, with the rear seats providing hatchback levels of comfort for all but the smallest of adults. The styling is about the design and looks rather than function. The front of the CLA looks similar to it’s A-Class stablemate, where the real changes come are from the mid to rear design.
Real world driving in the 1.4 litre 180d is perfect for the motorway, not the B roads. There are larger engines available in the range, of which the AMG version should provide all the B road fun you could need. This sporty saloon is an extremely cool four-door coupé, as long as you don’t expect it to be practical, you’ll happily swan around enjoying the Mercedes quality vibes.
This third gen A-class based saloon dives into the digital domain to attract younger customers who want fast connectivity and all the latest tech available at their command. The engines are vocal when pushed, dynamic steering is light, quick and functions are easy to access via touch screens, haptic feedback or simply requesting the online assistant via “hey Mercedes”. The lineup is offered with the seven-speed DCT which is quick-shifting and excellent for motorway driving, but can be a little twitchy.
Overall would you choose the CLA or the A-Class Saloon in the MB lineup? There’s not much between them. The CLA has the sportier look with slightly more boot space, the A-Class saloon is more mini exec. Other than that, they’re so similar, you’d wonder why Mercedes pony up the extra making their lineup so diverse. Are Mercedes offering customers more choice than competitors or is the CLA another way to entice coveted wealthy younger buyers
Special mention : The CLA is all about the sporty looks. The low slung stance, the sloping roof profile, everything lends itself to a sporty look.
Needs work : Some of the switch gear could do with beefing up, the indicator/wiper stalks could do with a little heft to them. Keyless Go doesn’t mean keyless entry, which is a shame, especially when new Mercs are so tech savvy. And the nose is extremely low when navigating gradient roads/car parks or speed bumps.
Specs:
| Max Power 136hp | Diesel / Auto |
| 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds | Road Tax €270 |
| CLA starts at €36,350 180d model as specc’d €44,986 | Boot litres 460 |