2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

…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.

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 »