Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

Given there are more practical – and cheaper – options in the Mercedes A-Class family the CLA Shooting Brake is likely a car bought with the heart as much as the head. Like the CLA Coupe on which it is based, the Shooting Brake is only available in the higher trim levels, exacerbating the price difference over the A-Class. Like for like it’s around £1,000 more than an equivalent CLA Coupe, too.

With the choice of petrol, diesel or a full plug-in hybrid (see Rory Reid’s video on the closely related A250e for more on this) you can pick the powertrain that suits your needs, though. Petrols are generally cheaper to buy, diesels will be more cost effective over longer distances while the hybrid costs a chunk more but could save you a packet, especially if you’re a company driver chasing Benefit In Kind savings. On this alone the hybrid could more than pay for itself, the savings in fuel for those who can plug it in and do most of their journeys on electric power also welcome but less dramatic.