2019 AMG CLA 45 Interior

Mercedes knows how to build a cabin that looks stylish, and the aviation-inspired decor of the CLA 45 truly looks the part. But while it has looks derived from those of the S-Class, the quality is well below standard - the sacrifice made for the sake of affordability. The dash materials feel hollow and improperly secured, and harsh plastics are found a little too easily. The main touchpoints are all soft, but the veneer of quality seems thin in comparison to rivals like the Audi RS3. The interior isn't the most spacious in the compact segment either, but against the RS3 and BMW M2, the CLA manages to create more rear passenger space and greater cargo volume too. There are caveats, however, as the sloping coupe roofline makes access to the rear seats difficult for even average-height adults.

2019 AMG CLA 45 Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

The AMG CLA 45 seats a total of five occupants in a compact environment. The driver is seated ergonomically behind the controls and with ample visibility from front to rear. The sport front seats are comfortably cushioned and wonderfully supportive, have heating and memory functions, and are 14-way power-adjustable with lumbar adjustments too. The only downside is the integrated headrest that protrudes forward a little too aggressively for taller drivers. The rear seats are just as comfortable and are nicely contoured for support. The headroom and legroom in the front of the cabin are ample but somewhat limited in the rear, especially for anyone over six feet tall. Ingress and egress to the front seats is no problem, however, the rear seats are somewhat restricted. The sloping roof cuts into the door aperture and even shorter adults will need to limber up before trying to climb in.

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Interior Dimensions:

Interior Colors and Materials

The wonderfully sculpted AMG sports seats can be upholstered in numerous choices of color and material, with the default option being black simulated leather with Ultrasuede center panels and red contrast stitching. Sticking with the base option also gives you sporty red seatbelts. Genuine leather is a $1,600 option, though, available in Black, Nut Brown, or combination Sahara Beige and Black. Each of these options can be paired with one of six trim choices, including the default red/black AMG design inlays, the same design in black and silver, or more classy alternatives like aluminum, matte black ash wood, AMG carbon fiber, or the AMG black Dinamica Ultrasuede.

As a final option, the AMG Red Cut Exclusive Package adorns the interior with Black "Red Cut" leather upholstery, designo red seat belts, and topstitched MB-Tex upper dash and door trim.

2019 AMG CLA 45 Trunk and Cargo Space

The CLA 45 offers a decent amount of cargo capacity and in-cabin storage solutions; the 13.1 cubic feet of space in the trunk is ample for weekly groceries, golf clubs or luggage for a weekend family getaway. The individually folding rear seatbacks allow one to expand the cargo capacity for larger or oddly shaped items. Along with hands-free access and electronic closing, the trunk's large lid opening, shrouded hinges, and deep floor all add to the AMG CLA 45's overall convenience.

In-cabin storage includes decently proportioned door side pockets on all four doors that can hold bottles, two cupholders, a small center cubby, a deep center armrest console, a sizeable glove box up front, and a small cubby in the rear. Two additional cupholders are located in the rear center backrest in the rear.

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Trunk and Cargo Space Photos

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Cargo Dimensions:

2019 AMG CLA 45 Infotainment and Features

Features

Primarily a performance car, the CLA 45 is still a Mercedes, and that means buyers expect Mercedes levels of standard specification. For the most part, the brand doesn't disappoint, with standard inclusion of SmartKey with Keyless-start and Keyless-Go, an ECO Start/Stop system, ambient interior lighting, 14-way power-adjustable sport front seats with heating and memory functions, split-folding rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with digital compass, and a HomeLink garage door opener. It is also equipped with brushed aluminum pedals and an E-Select gear lever made of leather and aluminum. Driver assists are numerous as well, with standard functionality including blind-spot monitoring and a rearview camera, with optional access to adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and active parking assist.

Infotainment

Infotainment in the CLA 45 is lacking, as it is equipped with one of the weakest iterations of the COMAND interface in the current Mercedes line-up. The infotainment setup comprises an eight-inch color display with a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 premium surround sound system and a central controller on the console, but many of the system's features can also be accessed via the integrated steering-wheel controls. The system features an HD Radio receiver, SiriusXM Radio with a six-month trial, and prewiring for Garmin Map Pilot. Standard AM/FM radio functionality, Bluetooth streaming and hands-free, round out the functionality, while two USB ports and an in-dash SD card reader cater to additional inputs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not integrated as standard, but are available as a $350 option. The system is clumsy to use, and the menus lack the intuitive layout seen on many premium rivals.