Mercedes-Benz CLA Review

Mercedes CLA is the entry level compact premium sedan based on the Mercedes A Class platform. It was introduced internationally in the year 2013 and came to India in 2015. The CLA carries forward the all new design language adopted by Mercedes internationally and is credited for carving out an attractive entry price for the Mercedes brand in India.

The 2017 CLA is a refresh on the existing model with some minor modifications on both interiors as well as exteriors of the car. The neatly designed headlamps that are fully LEDs now along with a smart LED treatment to the tail lamp enhance the visual appeal of the car. Elegant use of chrome under the air dam & on rear bumper underskirts may not be very noticeable at the first glance but it sure adds a dash of charm to the already good looking car. On the inside one is welcomed by a larger 8” screen in lieu of the earlier 7” which is also compatible with Android Auto & Apple Car Play.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Design

A coupe like looks with futuristically rounded tail lamps & frameless doors had always been one of the strong points for Mercedes CLA ever since its launch. The long swooping bonnet merging into the neatly flowing roof line at the rear renders an impeccable silhouette for the most stylish car on offer in the segment. The classic Mercedes emblem resting snugly on sloping bonnet along with a large three pointed star on the grille creates a nice identity statement for the brand.

One look at the side profile & you cannot miss the beautifully crafted doors with smooth flowing folds lines that define the bold character for the car.

Like the exteriors, you will find a lot of similarity with the Mercedes A Class. The retro sporty style AC vents with a large dia shouts out loud on the dashboard & is one of the most noticeable design touches on the interior. 2017 CLA also comes with a refreshed dashboard insert with a new colour & a rich texture adding a pinch of luxury premium to the interiors.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz GLB SUV in the making. 

Mercedes-Benz CLA Interiors

The most striking feature on the Mercedes CLA is the truly panoramic electric sunroof with rain sensors giving a sense of space to an otherwise small car from the marquee range.  Goodies like the Engine start-stop feature, on board web browsing through Bluetooth tether and a Navigation Pane cum Reverse Park Assist are some of the nice features on board.

However lack of features like an Automatic Climate Control System creates a bit of a vacuum, especially for a car of this class. The multimedia screen suffered a response lag at times & the lack of a touch screen control leaves you wanting for more. Even the Harmon Kardon System offered at launch stands removed from the 2017 edition, though to be fair the acoustic quality of the new system is not to complain for at all.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Performance

When it comes to the mechanicals of the car, 2017 CLA does not bring along anything new to the fore. Petrol is powered by a 2-litre183bhp motor mated with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. The diesel on the other hand comes with a 2.2-litreturbo churning out 136bhp of power & 300Nm of torque. Ride quality is good with an underlying firmness that can be felt over rough road conditions.

The Dynamic Select control lets you choose between pre-configured driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual.

Mercedes CLA Verdict

Overall Mercedes CLA is a good option for an entry level luxury self-driven car, rear seat space is not very generous, can be termed adequate at best. Where it really scores is the quality of interiors which is top notch, cabin is decorated with luxury pointers and of course styling is its strongest department. In short, if you are looking to upgrade into the premium luxury club and would want to announce it as well, then Mercedes CLA has to be your choice.