2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Good idea, bad execution. The idea of a relatively compact and affordable sedan wearing the three-pointed star is a good one. Unfortunately, Mercedes got the recipe wrong inside. It’s cramped, for starters, with a low roofline meaning rear riders will be at risk of fouling their hairstyles – assuming they can squeeze inside in the first place. Those up front fare better, with comfortable power-adjustable seats, but there’s evidence of cost-cutting everywhere you look. Flimsy plastics feel unbecoming in a Mercedes, though the newly standardized leather steering wheel softens the disappointment somewhat. You can add more luxurious trims and upholsteries, but these are (a) expensive and (b) often buried inside first-this-then-that options packs.

Don’t think the CLA is a load-lugger, either. Its trunk is a paltry 11.2 cubic feet, with a less-than-optimal loading bay, and of course, there’s no frunk on these ICE-only Mercs. At least the dashboard setup is strong, with a brace of ten-inch screens sharing a single pane of glass. The infotainment display runs the latest version of the manufacturer’s MBUX infotainment setup, with smartphone mirroring but no navigation as standard. The latter is available from Mercedes’s all-encompassing options list, which can take the price of a high-end CLA to around $80,000.

What do you get as standard? Spend just over $40,000, and you secure a base CLA 25 with 18-inch alloy wheels and power front seats clad in synthetic leather. You’ll also benefit from a four-year warranty, albeit without maintenance, while AWD is a $2,000 option. The stock engine is a 221 hp turbo-4 unit mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, capable of reaching 60 in little more than six seconds. It’s hard to imagine you’d need more power, though the CLA 35 adds a 48V mild hybrid system to its bigger engine to dispatch the 0-60 sprint in less than five seconds.

If that’s still not enough shove, the CLA 45 S AMG spits out 416 hp through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, for EV-threatening performance. It’s also fitted with upgraded brakes, while all AMG versions benefit from adaptive dampers. Ride isn’t a CLA strong suit, since grippy handling has been prioritized over passenger comfort. It’s never harsh, but it certainly doesn’t glide as you might expect.

Packed with technology. It’s good to see Mercedes-Benz treating the CLA’s safety as seriously as larger vehicles in their range. Every model comes with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, which is handy given the car’s lack of rear visibility. For 2024, the standard Parking Package brings 360-degree camera views and assistance with some parking maneuvers. You can also specify a fancy adaptive cruise control system and automatic lane changing, but only if you spend a few thousand dollars on other options first. Better to keep your costs under $50,000 by adding a few standalone essentials to an AWD 25 model. We can’t comment on safety since the CLA has yet to be crash tested, but there’s no reason to think it won’t mirror the impressive performance of other Mercs in terms of effective occupant protection.

Final thoughts. Let’s establish at the outset that the CLA isn’t the coupe Mercedes claim, and nor is it any kind of grand tourer. It’s a four-door sedan with a headroom-stealing roofline, a tiny trunk, and some dollar-store interior finishes. You wouldn’t cross the States in it – on the standard-fit summer-focused performance tires, you might not want to cross a northern state in winter. You certainly shouldn’t spend $80,000 ticking every option in the sales brochure unless you don’t care about depreciation.

Criticisms notwithstanding, there’s a lot to like about Merc’s smallest sedan. It looks fantastic, with AMG trims subtly enhancing its appearance rather than detracting from it. It accelerates and handles very impressively, and the firm ride is partially offset by excellent front seats with plenty of electric adjustment. Being a Mercedes, it’s unlikely to give you any grief as an ownership proposition, it’ll still be worth a decent amount at trade-in time, and last year’s EPA figures suggest combined fuel economy will be in the high 20s on non-AMG models. In conclusion, the CLA is far better for couples than for families – and don’t get carried away with the options list.