Mercedes-Benz CLA
New from £38,260
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Saloon a good car?
Read our expert review
Words by: Autotrader
"Mercedes is making big changes for this, the third-generation CLA. Previously a variant of the A-Class hatchback, the new CLA is actually the first vehicle to use Mercedes’ all-new electric car platform, and — possibly more importantly — its high-tech ‘MB.OS’ software designed to improve the car as it ages. If that wasn’t a big enough boast, Mercedes is also reaching for the stars with the CLA’s range, and this new EV can run for a claimed 484 miles on one charge. That’s a further than any Tesla, Polestar, or BYD, and yet the CLA is priced at a relatively affordable level. So, is this new Merc a game changer for electric car buyers?"
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Running costs for a Mercedes-Benz CLA
If you can charge up at home, then this CLA should be just about the cheapest Mercedes to run, ever. Its monster – and seemingly near-achievable – 484-mile range means many drivers could get through not just a week, not just two weeks, but maybe even a full month without charging. That offers not just potentially reduced running costs but also remarkable peace of mind. It means you may well be able to spend less on pricey public fast charging, too.
Reliability of a Mercedes-Benz CLA
Not only is the CLA a new model, but it’s also using an entirely new platform and a brand-new battery design, so it will be some time yet before we know how reliable it is. The good news is that, after a patchy few years, Mercedes’ overall quality and reliability seems to be on the up again, so there’s a good chance the new CLA will be very solid indeed. Mercedes only offers a three-year warranty as standard, which is a little disappointing, but the better news is that the CLA’s battery is covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles. Dealer servicing will be expensive, but in theory an EV like this CLA needs less work come service time, so that should help balance things out.
Safety for a Mercedes-Benz CLA
The new CLA should be one of the safest cars you can buy, and that’s no idle statement. Quite apart from the fact that Mercedes has “safety baked into its DNA” according to Professor Christian Gloggler, the man who oversaw the new CLA’s safety design, it has also been subjected to no fewer than 150 physical crash tests, and tens of thousands computer simulations. There’s a new front-centre airbag to prevent the driver from clonking heads with the passenger in the event of a side impact, and the battery gets its own crash structure. There’s even a handy QR code inside the charging flap so emergency services can instantly access all of the relevant safety data for the car. Add to that some impressive Level 2 driving aids, including a very good adaptive cruise control system, and the CLA should top the safety ratings list. Click here for more information on what that all means!
How comfortable is the Mercedes-Benz CLA
The CLA has been given quite a soft setting for its suspension, with an almost marshmallow-like feeling in the first little bit of movement. That makes it really comfortable over lumps and bumps, and it’s especially good at shrugging off speed humps around town. It’s comfortable on faster roads too, and there’s very good refinement as well, so long journeys should be really pleasant. There’s a lack of proper feedback from the steering, and the CLA does lean a bit in corners, so keen drivers should maybe go elsewhere but if comfort is your priority, look no further. The only downside is that space in the back seats is a little compromised, so if you want to be properly comfortable, make sure you sit in the front.
Features of the Mercedes-Benz CLA
Standard equipment for the CLA is quite decent, and it comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, pop-out door handles, LED headlamps, selectable driving modes, heated front seats and, of course, big screens on the inside. The biggest is the 14.9-inch infotainment screen in the middle of a cliff-faced dashboard, and it’s hugely impressive. Merc’s new MB.OS software is very responsive, and even the digital voice assistant seemed to understand a bit more of what we were saying than usual. The Google-based navigation system is especially good. Just don’t bother with the optional passenger-side screen, as they probably won’t use it much anyway, and it’s a bit of a distraction for the driver.
Power for a Mercedes-Benz CLA
The entry-level CLA 250+ comes with a single electric motor, driving the rear wheels and pushing it to 62mph from rest in 6.7 seconds. There’s a clever two-speed gearbox (most EVs have only one gear) boosting low-down acceleration, but the CLA 250+ feels more brisk than properly fast. For that you need to upgrade to the 350+ 4Matic, which gets an extra electric motor, all-wheel drive and a 4.9-second 0-62mph time. There will be petrol-hybrid versions of the CLA eventually, as well. The big news, though, is the range. On this showing you should easily be able to get 400 miles out of the CLA 250+ in real-world conditions.
Lease deals
These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.
Standard equipment
Expect the following equipment on your Mercedes-Benz CLA Saloon. This may vary between trim levels.
- 10.25in Driver Display with 2 Individually Configurable Contexts
- Air Conditioning - Air Vents with Surround in Silver Chrome
- Air Conditioning - THERMATIC Automatic Climate Control - One Zone
- Centre Console with 2 Levels
- Facial Recognition
- Heated Front Seats
- Interior Lighting
- KEYLESS-GO - Start Function
- Luggage Nets on Driver and Front Passengers Backrests
- Rain-Sensing Windscreen Wipers with Two Sensitivity Settings
- Roof Lining - Black
- Seat Belts - Black
- Seats - 4-Way Electric Lumbar Support
- Seats - Comfort Seats
- Seats - Rear Seat Backrests - Split Folding 40-20-40
- Steering Column - Manually Adjustable for Height and Reach
- Steering Wheel - Multifunction Sports Steering Wheel in Leather
- Storage - 405 Litre Boot Volume
- Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
- Supercomputer MB.OS
- Trim - Anthracite Anodised-Look
- Twin Cup Holders in Front
- Velour Floor Mats
- 14in Central Display with Touch Input and Zero-Layer User Interface
- 2 Rear USB-C Ports on the Centre Armrest - 100 W - Fast Charging
- 2 USB-C Ports in the Storage Compartment Under the Armrest of the Centre Console - 100 W - Suitable for Data Transfer
- DAB Digital Radio Tuner
- MBUX Navigation
- MBUX Smartphone Integration - Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Mercedes-Benz App - Extended MBUX Functions
- Selfie and Video Camera
- Sound System - Mercedes-Benz Sound System - Output of 125W from 8 Speakers
- 18in Alloy Wheels - 5-Twin Spoke Light - Aerodynamically Optimised - Painted in High-Gloss Black with High-Sheen Finish
- Door Handles - Body Coloured
- Glass - Rear Windscreen - Heated with Timer Control
- Mirror Package
- Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof
- Rear Fog Lamp
- Sport Bodystyling
- Summer Tyres
- TIREFIT Tyre-Sealant Kit
- Windows - Electric Windows - 4
- ABS - Anti-Lock Braking System with BAS - Brake Assist
- Acoustic Presence Indicator
- Adaptive Brake Lights
- Airbag - Centre Airbag - Deploys Between the Driver and Front Passenger in the Event of a Severe Side Impact
- Airbag - Kneebag for Driver
- Airbags - Automatic Passenger Airbag Deactivation
- Airbags - Dual-Stage - Driver and Front Passenger
- Airbags - Head and Sidebags - Driver and Front Passenger
- Alarm System with Immobiliser and Interior Protection - Thatcham Category 1
- Automatic Child Seat Recognition Sensor - Pressure Sensor
- Braking - Adaptive Brake Assist with HOLD Function and Hill Start Assist
- Car Wash Mode
- Childproof Locks - Manually Operated for Rear Doors and Electrically Operated for Rear Power Windows
- Crash-Responsive Emergency Lighting
- Digital Extra: Distance Assist DISTRONIC
- ESP - Electronic Stability Programme with ASR - Acceleration Skid Control
- ESP Curve Dynamic Assist
- Electric Parking Brake
- Emergency Brake Assist
- Evasive Steering - Evasive Steering Function
- Eye Tracking Technology to Prevent Driver Distraction
- First Aid Kit and Warning Triangle
- Fluorescent Jacket
- GUARD 360 Vehicle Protection
- ISOFIX and Top-Tether Child Seat Fixing Points in Rear - Two Outer Seats
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Manouevring Assist
- Radar-Based Recuperation
- Rear Belt Status Indication in the Instrument Display
- Remote Central Locking and Crash Sensor with Emergency Opening Function
- Seat Belt Reminder - Front and Rear
- Seat Belts - Rear Three-Point - 3
- Seat Occupancy Sensor - Front Passenger Seat
- ATTENTION Assist
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
- Blind Spot Assist Plus
- Brake-Pad Wear Warning Indicator
- Dynamic Select with a Choice of Driving Modes - ECO-Comfort-Sport and Individual
- Exit Warning Function
- Lamp Failure Indicator
- MB. Drive Parking Assist with Reversing Camera and Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Owners Manual - English
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist
- Headlamp Assist - Automatic Headlamp Activation
- LED High Performance Headlamps with Integrated LED Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive High Beam Assist
- LED Tail Lamps
- Speed Limit Assist
- Steering - Direct-Rack Steer System
- Suspension - Comfort Suspension with Ride-Height Lowering
Other vehicles in the CLA family
CLA Estate
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Your questions answered
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