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2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

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Make
Mercedes-Benz
Model
CLA-Class
Year
2023
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CarsDirect Target Price
$40,500
Expert Rating
3.1

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2023 CLA 250 CLA 250 Base Coupe 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $40,500
2023 CLA 250 CLA 250 Base Coupe 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MATIC Price:   -  From $42,500
2023 AMG CLA 35 Base Coupe 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MATIC Price:   -  From $50,650
2023 AMG CLA 45 Base Coupe 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MATIC Price:   -  From $58,950

Overview

Model Preview

With the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class set to enter its fourth model year on sale since a full redesign, we believe the compact luxury car will arrive without any major changes for 2023. Mercedes has introduced a new Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Edition 55 to commemorate AMG’s 55th anniversary. Only 55 units of the CLA45 Edition 55 will be available in the U.S.

As a carryover model, the 2023 CLA is expected to share the same overall design as the current sedan that’s on sale. The CLA sports a coupe-like design with a sloping roofline, an expansive rear window, and a blunt rear end. Despite being a subcompact, the CLA features bold lines that are found on some of Mercedes’ more expensive vehicles. The CLA’s front end has sharp headlights, a large oval grille, large air intakes, and a ridged hood.

With large screens that dominate the dashboard, the current CLA has a tech-forward design. To keep the dashboard as streamlined as possible, the CLA has a slim row of buttons for the HVAC on the lower part of the center console, while a touchpad with a few physical controls are located by the center console storage compartment. Circular air vents, premium materials, and a similar overall design to more expensive vehicles in the Mercedes lineup result in an interior that feels upscale. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA should have the same design as the current model that’s on sale.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

We don’t expect to see any changes to the 2023 CLA’s list of tech features for the upcoming model year. Standard features should include a 7-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and five USB ports. Available features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a Burmester audio system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, and a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA will be available with three different engines. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 221 horsepower should be standard. A more powerful version of the engine is found in the AMG CLA35 that’s rated at 302 hp. The range-topping AMG CLA45 comes with an even more powerful version of the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s hand-built. It generates 382 hp. The two lower versions of the four-cylinder come with a seven-speed automatic transmission, while the AMG CLA45 comes with an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available.

Standard safety features should carry over unchanged for the 2023 model year. The current CLA comes with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver attention monitor, and crosswind assist as standard. Available safety features include lane change assist, lane-keeping assist, parallel park assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross alert, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view parking camera.

Pricing & Release Date

Pricing for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will start at $39,850 including destination and go up to $56,950. The subcompact sedan is expected to go on sale in the U.S. this fall.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA will compete against the BMW 2-Series, Audi A3, Acura Integra, and Cadillac CT4.

Pictured: 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

author image
Automotive Editor
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Prices & Deals

Expert Review

Pros
  • Elegant design
  • Stunning performance
  • Excellent road manners
  • Decent fuel economy
Cons
  • Too many things cost extra
  • Insufficient rear space
  • Tiny, inaccessible trunk
  • AMG prices are too high
Expert Rating
3.1

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

A class act… Mercedes-Benz doesn’t always get its styling right, but there’s no disputing that the CLA-Class is a stunning piece of automotive design. There’s a wind-tunnel purity to its sleek shape that’s accentuated by minimal trinketry – no pointless door creases or pieces of gaudy trim. The nose is minimalist, with the higher of two large grilles sporting an outsized three-pointed star badge, while the gracefully curving roof leads into a pert rump with slit-like LED taillights. From any angle, in any paint color, it’s a design that ought to age well.

Inside, things also look good at first glance. If you pony up for a model with twin 10.3-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, a single shard of glass extends most of the way across the cabin while displaying pin-sharp graphics. Nice design touches abound, from the pronounced rear headrests to a trio of round air vents nestling between the infotainment screen and a single row of toggle switches and buttons.

…Or is it? So far, it sounds like the CLA-Class is more sophisticated than a premium German sedan costing less than $40,000 has any right to be. However, that’s not the whole story. Each of the points we’ve mentioned above has a caveat attached – including the minimalist styling, which is rather unnecessarily embellished on AMG-branded models. That wind-tunnel roofline results in seriously compromised rear headroom, while the pert rump we mentioned houses a tiny trunk of just 11.2 cubic feet. You’ll struggle to get a couple of large suitcases through its small, near-horizontal aperture, never mind a folding wheelchair or flat-pack furniture box. If practicality is important in a small sedan, Audi’s A3 has the CLA licked.

Even inside, all is not as it first appears. Cheap plastics betray the CLA-Class’s status as the smallest and cheapest MB sedan. Those twin screens are optional extras on some models, but the seven-inch alternatives are decidedly underwhelming. The rear seats may look enticing, yet they’re seriously cramped if you’re over five feet tall. The full-size infotainment screen is wasted without navigation, which is one of many that-costs-extra-sir upgrades to the standard trim levels. Don’t assume the model you sit in at the dealership resembles the model you originally intended to purchase.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

A strong performer. One area where the CLA doesn’t impose any compromises is in the performance extracted from its trilogy of gas engines. Even the 221 hp turbo 4 found in CLA 250 models will hit 60 in around six seconds, thanks partly to a well-chosen seven-speed automatic gearbox, while AWD commands a $2,000 premium. If more performance is required, a sub-five second 0-60 time is delivered by the 305 hp AWD-only CLA 35. Even this is left in the tumbleweeds by the CLA 45 AMG, whose 382 hp engine will propel it to 60 in four seconds flat. That’s faster than most EVs.

The fun doesn’t stop when the straight lines do. Sharp handling is allied to responsive steering across the range, and the ride remains composed even on AMG models, which ameliorate their bigger tires with available adaptive dampers and standard-fit upgrades to the braking system. Unfortunately, since America’s crash test agencies haven’t found it within themselves to condemn one of these gorgeous little cars to a high-speed demise, we can’t comment on its safety. It’s worth noting that a $1,700 package combining adaptive cruise and automatic lane changing needs several thousand dollars in other extras to be selected first before it’s available.

Kit on the side. As the last sentence infers, you can go completely overboard with the CLA’s options list. Base models come as standard with power front seats clad in synthetic leather, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. You’ll also benefit from a four-year warranty. However, the extras keep coming – dual screens with navigation, wooden trim, a heated steering wheel… Some of these are fitted to higher models, but it’s not always obvious what features come on which trim level, or whether Package A can be added without Package B. With a busy pen, you could spend $80,000 on an AMG model, without reaping many rewards at resale time.

Final thoughts. If you’re young and single, or slightly less young and cohabiting, the CLA-Class makes a great deal of sense. You can augment the small trunk by transporting objects on the rear seats, and the lack of rear head/legroom won’t be a daily issue. Sitting up front, in comfortable seats, you survey a gorgeous dashboard, smug in the knowledge that cars in front of you won’t be able to miss that three-pointed star in their rearview mirror. The CLA is a handsome, well-engineered, and (with a few options added) luxurious mode of transport, with the added bonus of being great to drive in any configuration.

If you have children, large pets, or a penchant for shopping, though, look elsewhere. The trunk’s too small, your passengers won’t appreciate the awkward access to cramped rear seats, and the cost-savings on materials are more evident back here than they are upfront. You can get more space for less money from the likes of Volvo and Jaguar, who also design gorgeous interiors and have lashings of badge appeal. Flagship CLAs will astonish keen drivers with their performance and roadholding, but they’re far too expensive for this amount of metal.

Check prices for the 2023 Mercedes CLA-Class »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 221 HP / 258 ft.lbs.
Transmission
7-spd sequential shift control auto-shift man w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 36 / 30 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 221 HP / 258 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 36 / 30 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
13.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$51
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
11.6 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
184.6 "
Exterior Width
72.0 "
Exterior Height
56.7 "
Front Headroom
38.5 "
Rear Headroom
35.7 "
Front Legroom
41.8 "
Rear Legroom
33.9 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
54.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,362 Lbs.
Wheel Base
107 "
Turning Radius
18.1 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Silver Aluminum / 18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 19.0 " Silver Amg Aluminum / 19.0 " Black Amg Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Heated, Power Remote Driver, Power Remote W/tilt Down Passenger / Power Remote Heated Driver
Bumpers
Body-colored With Metal-look Insert / Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
With Chrome Bar
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Mb-tex Leatherette / Leather / Mb-tex/dinamica Simulated Suede/leatherette
Front Seat Type
Sport Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
10-way (8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
10-way (8-way Power)
Front Armrests
10-way (8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
40-20-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
8 / 12 Burmester
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt / Telescopic Tilt Style
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Rear Side-impact Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Active Brake Assist With Autonomous Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation / Forward Collision Mitigation W/cross Traffic / Active Brake Assist With Cross-traffic Function Forward Collision Mitigation W/cross Traffic
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot / Blind Spot / Active Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure / Active Lane Keeping Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Active Steering Assist Hands-on Steering Assist / Hands-on (with Lane Change) Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection
Active Brake Assist Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Attention Assist Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Highbeam Assist (aha) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Directionally Adaptive
Parking Sensors
Active Parking Assist Automated
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Accessories Months