Right at the top of the CLA-Class lineup for 2022, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is a full-fat AMG product with an attitude problem and a point to prove. A vast improvement on the previous generation, you still get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot and all-wheel-drive, but this time around, you get 382 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque mated to an all-new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The AWD has a torque-vectoring clutch pack on the rear axle and now features a full Drift Mode to make sure this is no one-trick pony.
The exterior features 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and LED headlights. The interior gets a 640-color ambient lighting system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and two 10.25-inch displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard driver assistance features include active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot assist, and crosswind assist.
No AMG car will ever be cheap, and even though the price of the 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 sits near the bottom of the pile in the bigger picture, it still costs a pretty penny. Mercedes-AMG asks for an MSRP of $55,900 of your finest US dollars for the privilege of owning one of these cars, and that price excludes tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,050. However, that is just the starting price, and adding a few optional extras will see that cost quickly surpassing the $60k mark. Fully loaded, the CLA 45 can cost around $84,000.
The price of the 2022 CLA 45 can get out of hand in an instant if you're not careful with the optional extras. That being said, Mercedes-AMG offers such a comprehensive list of extras that we wouldn't be able to resist. Some standout packages include the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package, which adds driver assistance tech such as active blind-spot assist, lane-keep assist, emergency stop assist, evasive steering assist, and speed-limit assist. For the eager driver, we'd recommend the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. For $4,300, this package adds a sporty steering wheel, Race and Drift modes, a composite braking system, AMG Ride Control with three-stage damping, an increased top speed of 167 mph, and an AMG Drive Unit which adds a set of controls on the AMG steering wheel for quick performance adjustments. Individual interior options include a head-up display for $1,100 and the aforementioned AMG Drive Unit. Those who want a more aggressive look should definitely consider the AMG Aerodynamics package which adds a larger front splitter, a rear spoiler, lateral airflow edges in the rear apron, and a gloss black diffuser. The $900 Exterior Lighting Package adds Active LED headlamps and adaptive high-beam assist.
There's only one model on offer, so here's how we'd build ours. Starting on the outside, we'd go for the Iridium Silver paint color and add the AMG Aerodynamics and AMG Night package. We'd stick with the standard MB-Tex seats and aluminum trim on the inside. To further increase the car's performance capabilities, we'd also throw in the AMG Ride Control system, increase the top speed to 167 mph as part of the $4,300 AMG Dynamic Plus Package, and add the Driver Assistance Package. Total cost? A hair under $70k.
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