2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review: Entry-Level With Status
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Sarah Marshall have one thing in common: they're both really great to look at but they're a little expensive. And while it's a little difficult to forget Ms. Marshall, it's all too easy to forget about the C-Class when it's svelte little sister, the CLA-Class is around. It's a sassy daily coupe that offers enough charm to bear a three-pointed star in the middle of its face, but isn't stately enough to bore the younger market. This is a winning recipe for Merc's entry-level four-door coupe because it offers merits in enough aspects to appeal to a wide variety of shoppers. It has ample tech to warrant attention from the twenty-somethings, and the right amount of luxury and refinement to catch the mature eye. The 221-horsepower four-door coupe has enough power to serve its owner well on a regular commute, too, but it has to fight against the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the Audi A3 Sedan, and the A-Class Sedan for the top spot. Round one, fight!
What's the Price of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The entry point of the CLA range is the FWD-equipped CLA250, and it carries an MSRP of $36,650 in the USA. This is significantly more expensive than its closely related A-Class, which has an asking price of $32,800 at base level. Upgrading to 4Matic all-wheel-drive increases the Mercedes CLA's price up to $38,650, which essentially means that you're paying an extra $2,000 for all-wheel-drive, and if you're going to buy either of the models, you'll need to pay a $995 destination fee over and above the MSRP.
2020 CLA-Class Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 184.6 in | 107.4 in | 56.7 in | 72.0 in | 63.5 in | 63.1 in | 3,362.0 lbs |
2020 CLA-Class Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Yet another improvement for the 2020 model, the new CLA handles lumps and bumps with far more grace than its predecessor. The old model was crashy at best, and tackling uneven surfaces was much like attempting to walk in a straight line after the first half of the Super Bowl. It's better in the new-gen CLA, but it's not perfect yet. The coupe does its level best to soak up undulations and it does well for the most part, but particularly rough surfaces will unsettle the CLA pretty quickly. An available adjustable suspension with adaptive dampers does well to mitigate harshness even further, though this will come at an additional cost of $850.
Impressively, the CLA has improved its ride comfort but hasn't lost enough firmness to result in poor performance in and out of corners. In fact, the CLA handles windy roads with an admirable amount of dexterity. Its electric steering has been refined to deliver more preciseness, and is more responsive than the previous generation. A downfall for the coupe would be that it eagerly welcomes engine noise into the cabin, which makes trying to have a conversation with passengers especially tedious on rougher roads or at highway speeds.
2020 CLA-Class Interior
2020 CLA-Class Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class A Good car?
The new-generation CLA offers immense improvements in areas where the previous model was lacking, and it's a fine choice for shoppers in the four-door coupe market. The biggest improvements over last year's model come in the form of improved ride comfort and a redesigned interior that's now deserving of the Mercedes-Benz badge. The inside of the CLA now boasts a host of new infotainment features including the streamlined digital cockpit that is now controlled by the MBUX system. Although its engine isn't the most powerful in the segment, it provides smooth and reliable power, and the dual-clutch transmission performs with much much more capability than it did before. A BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe might have more space and a larger trunk, but the CLA has finally blossomed into a supreme all-rounder that we wouldn't hesitate to recommend to those who prefer style over spaciousness.
What Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Model Should I Buy?
As we mentioned previously, the only shoppers who should consider the 4Matic are the ones that live in rainy or snow-prone areas. If you regularly enjoy clear skies, the CLA250 will fare just fine. We'd recommend opting for the coupe in the eye-catching shade of Jupiter Red and adding some bits here and there in the way of the Driver Assistance package for some extra safety, and by default, the Multimedia Package will need to be added too. The interior is also improved with the addition of the two 10.25-inch screens. The adjustable suspension is also worth adding, as it improves comfort on the daily commute. This brings our ideal build total to just over $41k.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Comparisons
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
The C-Class has a less modern exterior design, at least from the front end, and it carries a heavy $45,950 price tag in comparison to the CLA-Class' MSRP of $36,650. But it's also a larger class of vehicle, and is a true coupe unlike the four-door CLA. More power is offered from the 2.0-liter turbo in the C-Class, but the interior in the CLA is more modern thanks to its digital instrument cluster and MBUX functionality. The C-Class is also less economical in terms of gas mileage, thanks to its extra power and heavier curb weight resulting in EPA estimated figures of 22/31/25 mpg. In this case, the CLA-Class would definitely be the better choice of the two. It's lighter on fuel, more modern on the inside and offers a more updated exterior design.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan
The CLA-Class and the A-Class share a lot of DNA, and when we get down to brass tacks, they're closely related. Both play host to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot, but the one in the A-Class delivers slightly less power with outputs of 188 horsepower and 221 lb-ft. The A-Class also does away with a good few thousands in terms of its asking price, and is nearly $4,000 cheaper than its more powerful relative. Their interiors are extremely similar, and the CLA-Class only manages to be minorly more luxurious, but the A-Class strikes back with a typical sedan shape aiding rear seat passenger space. The two Merc-badged contenders share the same fuel economy figures, and the list of standard features are similar, though making the decision more about what you prioritise in life. If you prefer practicality and a sensible price tag, we can't fault the A-Class, but if you live for style and performance, the CLA is the pick of the pair.