Mercedes-Benz CLA C117 (2014-Present) Expert Review
1 June 2014
Overall Rating
Driving the CLA is like dating a model. She's hot, you get stares, you feel good, your confidence is sky high; but just like the parallel drawn, there's a flip side. Response is slow and gearbox is clunky in town. Loud tyre roar and firm suspension means it's not an effortless mile muncher, either. Seductive, but you must know what you're getting into.
Performance
Doesn't feel as quick as the figures (0-100 in 8.5s) suggest. A soggy gas pedal and slow throttle response are to blame, together with a dual-clutch gearbox that's not up to par in both speed and smoothness. The latter, jerky in town, is the weakest link. Quite some way off C-Class/3 Series standards.
Ride & Handling
Even the A 250 Sport is no GTI chaser, so hot hatch expectations should be left at the front door. Divorced from the drivetrain, the CLA is dynamically OK. The big steering wheel is decently weighted, there's good grip from the fat tyres, and the CLA corners pretty flatly. The suspension is on the firm side, so it dislikes neighbourhoods with bad roads and lots of speed bumps.
Comfort
Gearbox foibles means smooth progress in stop-start city traffic is hard to come by. No such problems at speed, but loud tyre roar affects cruising comfort. Good driving position and driver's chair.
Safety
A full five stars from Euro NCAP means you're well protected. Seven airbags (including one for the driver's knee) and the radar-based Collision Prevention Assist puts the CLA one up over big brother C-Class and 3 Series.
Space
We're not going to criticise the CLA for its cozy cabin, because the C-Class exists for those who want a proper Mercedes sedan, and buyers should know what they're getting into. Style comes first, so headroom is compromised (less than A-Class) and the boot aperture is small.
Value
Yes or no will depend on your priorities. Those smitten by the CLA's looks (see a light-coloured one in the metal to fully appreciate) will find the trade-offs acceptable, minor even. Others will see through the skin and find a car inferior to the C-Class going for the same money. They will opt for a mainstream premium compact exec. Do you want to date a model?