2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Review: TNT In A Matchbox

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is one of the most affordable AMG models from the German automaker, offering spirited performance and an engaging driving experience in a small package. The subcompact four-door sedan uses a turbocharged four-pot to develop 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, similar outputs to its primary rivals, the Audi S3 and M235i version of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. It also has great looks, inside and out, and a good consignment of standard features that lean heavily towards luxury and comfort. It's not the quickest in its segment and the compact body has its limits in terms of cargo and rear-seat passenger space, but the Mercedes may just be the snazziest, most entertaining car when compared to its rivals. And, in a segment where emotion overrides practicality, that counts for a lot.

New for 2023

The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 sedan remains unchanged for the 2023 model year.

2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Price: Which One to Buy

While it may be the entry point to the brand's performance range, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 has a price worthy of its prestige. The MSRP starts at $49,500, which is already a lot for such a small car, but this does not account for the $1,150 destination charge or any optional features. We'd recommend the Driver Assistance Package (with 13 driver-assistance features) at the very least, which adds $1,700, but the $1,300 Multimedia Package (MB Navigation with augmented video and more) is appealing, along with the $850 Burmester sound system. There is also a sport suspension that might be worth the $990 for those that want the best performance the CLA has to offer.

Interior and Features

Visually, the interior of the new CLA 35 leaves its competitors in the dust, but it also feels more substantial thanks to better build quality than the previous-generation CLA.

Even when it comes to its performance models, Mercedes knows how to craft an interior that is to die for. In the case of the CLA 35, this comprises high-quality materials, a fair amount of room, and a strong list of features. To maintain that sporty look, the dashboard groups the dual screens and key controls within close proximity to the driver. This ease of access is furthered by a number of controls on the steering wheel. At night, the colorful ambient lighting system adds even more drama to the cabin, something that will delight younger buyers. Compared to non-AMG CLAs, this one has racing-inspired sport seats in front, aluminum shift paddles, and brushed stainless steel pedals - these extras remind you that you've chosen a high-performance model.

Space

Don't be fooled by its size; there is enough space inside the cabin of the CLA 35 for up to five passengers. However, the rear seats feel far more comfortable with just two people back there. This is because the sedan tries to be more coupe-like with a sloping roof that can also make ingress and egress more complicated. It also affects rear headroom; even the A-Class Sedan has more head clearance at the back than in the CLA. Those in the front row have a far more pleasant time thanks to supportive bucket seats, which can be further upgraded to multicontour sport seats. As standard, they are eight-way power adjustable, ensuring that it is easy to achieve a comfortable driving position. Sight lines are also good for the most part.

Cargo

Sedans are not traditionally very practical, but the 11.6 cubic feet in the CLA 35 is still more than you'll get in its Audi rival. However, the BMW M235i Gran Coupe has a lot more cargo volume on offer. On the plus side, the Merc offers a wide opening, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 40/20/40 split configuration to allow for larger items to be stored, though how much extra space this provides isn't specified. Smaller items can be stored around the cabin in the large glove compartment, the armrest cubby, one of the four door pockets, or any of the cupholders found in both the front and rear.

Materials and Colors

The materials used throughout the interior space are of the best quality, with MB-Tex synthetic leather being standard. It is available in Neva Grey/black, or black with microfiber inserts and red stitching. Genuine leather will add $1,450 to the bill, and interior color choices for the leather include black, Bahia Brown, Titanium Grey/black, or Classic Red/black. These schemes can be paired with one of five accent trims, including aluminum with linear or longitudinal grain, AMG design aluminum, or, for $325, natural grain Brown Walnut wood or Black Linden wood. You can have the AMG performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather ($400), Nappa and microfiber ($500), or pure microfiber ($600).

Features and Infotainment

Mercedes gives you a fair number of features as standard, including dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, eight-way power front seats, and a 10.25-inch driver-info screen. The illuminated entry system and 64-color LED ambient lighting give the cabin a high-tech look and feel, while another 10.25-inch touchscreen grants access to the infotainment, which comprises Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HD Radio. All of this can be upgraded with multicontour front seats with heating and ventilation, keyless-go, a wireless charger, a head-up display, a garage door opener, SiriusXM, Wi-Fi capability, and a 12-speaker Burmester surround sound system to replace the standard sound system. As this is an AMG model, the AMG Track Pace system can be added to the infotainment system to track and store performance data like lap times and speed.

Performance

Although it isn't the quickest performer in its segment, the CLA 35 still gets up to speed with vigor, while the little AMG also has excellent body control.

The engine in the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that makes 302 hp and 295 lb-ft. This comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which sends the outputs to all four wheels. Power is steadily delivered all the way up to around 6,000 rpm, but the lack of the more up-to-date eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox in the CLA 45 is disappointing.

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 can zip from 0-60 mph in just under five seconds - 4.8 seconds to be exact - and continue on to a top speed of 155 mph. Although the margins are negligible, the Mercedes is a little slower than rivals, with the BMW M235i Gran Coupe having a claimed 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, and the Audi S3 coming in at 4.5 seconds.

The driving experience is enjoyable, with the small sedan offering more feel than its grand tourer siblings. This comes at the cost of comfort, with the ride being a bit on the stiff side, especially if you leave the suspension in Sport or Sport Plus mode. But, even in Comfort mode, you won't get Lexus levels of cushiness around town. As for the steering, it is light and precise at low speeds but gains some heft once you get going. The standard AWD helps ensure excellent traction, along with rear-wheel torque vectoring, and helps the car handle most poor weather.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2023 AMG CLA 35 is relatively light for the segment, and it comes equipped with an efficient turbocharged engine, so you can achieve respectable gas mileage figures. The figures for the AMG CLA 35 are 21/29/24 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, and with a fuel capacity of 13.5 gallons, the sedan can travel up to 324 miles between refills.

Safety

While official crash tests have not taken place on local soil, the CLA 35 comes with an array of essential safety features, and there are several advanced ones on the options list.

There is no safety review for the 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35, and even the regular CLA-Class has not been submitted for testing in recent years. Luckily, the automaker is renowned for its build quality and safety levels, so the CLA 35 should meet these high standards.

Inclusive safety features comprise eight airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, a rearview camera, active brake assist, blind-spot assist, attention assist, and crosswind assist. At an additional cost, you can also get active steering assist, evasive steering assist, active blind-spot assist, pre-safe, pre-safe plus and sound, a surround-view camera, and two extra airbags for the rear seats. An AMG head-up display is a standalone option.

Reliability

There have been no recalls for the CLA 35 in the past two years, but a few recalls were issued for the CLA-Class range for the 2021 model year. Reasons included a disabled emergency call system, no rearview image being displayed, an inaccurate vehicle location being sent out for emergency services, and a missing child seat anchor bar. The child seat issue pertains to the CLA 250 specifically, though. Overall, there are no major red flags regarding the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35's reliability.

Every new 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is covered by a standard warranty that addresses basic issues for four years/50,000 miles. The powertrain and roadside assistance are covered for the same duration, but there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Warranty

Design

The CLA-Class has always been an attractive vehicle, and the AMG variant is even sleeker and sharper thanks to performance-specific parts. These include 18-inch AMG-styled wheels, flared side sills, and a sculpted front air dam. The grille sports dual horizontal bars playing host to the tristar emblem, with sharply angled LED lights on either side, mirroring the air intakes lower in the bumper. Slim LED daytime running lights run along the inner edge of the headlights. The rear also gets a set of LED taillights, as well as a small trunk lid spoiler and dual exhaust outlets. A panorama roof is included as standard, but there are a few upgrades on offer. These include larger 19-inch wheels and AMG Night and Aerodynamics packages.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 A Good Car?

Hardcore AMG fans may overlook the baby in the lineup as not being worth their time, but they'd be doing themselves a disservice, as the CLA 35 is one of the most engaging vehicles in this segment. It may not have the V6 or V8 power that is so popular in the USA, but the punchy four-pot does a great job of keeping up with direct competitors, and the handling cannot be faulted, especially from a brand that has traditionally put more focus on comfort. These highlights make the cramped rear seat and tiny trunk easier to accept, though the stiff suspension may be a bit much for any true Merc lover. The interior is otherwise gorgeous and bristling with the latest technologies, and all of this combines to make the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 one of the best options within the subcompact sports sedan segment.