2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　With the discontinuation of the A-Class for the 2023 model year, the CLA is now Mercedes' entry-level sedan. In other words, the luxury brand's most affordable car. But if you're also considering an SUV, the GLA is a bit cheaper. Some might be disappointed they missed out on the A-Class' lower price tag, but the CLA packs more power and offers more option packages and features. Its rear sloping roofline adds more style, and the CLA has two AMG models to choose from.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$158/mo  for CLA-Class CLA 250

　　CLA-Class CLA 250

　　CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $39,350 MSRPCLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $41,350 MSRPAMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $49,500 MSRPAMG CLA 45 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $57,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　And it's hard to argue against the CLA's attainable price, especially when considering a fully loaded midsize sedan from a non-luxury brand costs about as much. Not only that, but Mercedes didn't skimp out on the CLA: The sedan has an elegant and high-tech-looking interior, provides plenty of comfort, and offers many of the same features found on larger, more expensive Mercedes models. It's also fun to drive and boasts one of the best infotainment systems in its class. The CLA aces most categories, but it's not perfect. Its rear seats are cramped and its reasonable price can quickly climb with options.

　　If you're hard set on purchasing the CLA you might want to wait a little longer for the 2024 model because Mercedes updated its design, engines and added more standard tech. And if you aren't sold on the CLA, consider some of its rivals, including the Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. There's also the all-electric alternative: the Tesla Model 3. If you do decide to go with the current CLA, you'll likely be very happy with this well-built, tech-forward luxury sedan.

　　

Which CLA-Class does zzdcar recommend?

The AMG models are a blast to drive, but most people don't need their 300-plus horsepower and they aren't as budget-friendly as the CLA 250, the trim we recommend. Thanks to a multitude of option packages and stand-alone options, the CLA 250 is highly customizable. You can add many of the features found in the AMG models. We suggest adding the Premium package, which brings larger screens and keyless entry. The Driver Assistance package is another worthy upgrade, adding many advanced driver aids that help make driving safer and easier.

　　

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA is available as the CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45. The CLA 250 is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (Mercedes' 4Matic), while the more powerful and performance-tuned AMG versions come standard with all-wheel drive. Standard equipment highlights include:

　　CLA 250

　　The CLA 250 comes equipped with these standard features:

　　Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission LED headlights 18-inch wheels Rain-sensing wipers Heated side mirrors Panoramic sunroof Push-button ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters Customizable ambient cabin lighting Synthetic leather upholstery Power-adjustable sport front seats with memory functionStandard technology features and advanced driver aids on the CLA 250 include:

　　Remote engine start via smartphone app 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system display 7-inch digital instrument panel Voice assistant Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Four USB-C ports Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot warning (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Safe exit assist (can prevent passengers from opening a door into traffic, cyclists or pedestrians approaching from behind) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)AMG CLA 35

　　Equipped for sporty driving, the AMG CLA 35 adds:

　　More powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (302 hp, 295 lb-ft) All-wheel drive Sport exhaust system 18-inch wheels Upgraded brakes 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and infotainment displays Sport-tuned suspension and transmission Sportier body styling Sport steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters AMG CLA 45

　　Builds on the AMG CLA 35 with:

　　Even more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (382 hp, 354 lb-ft) Performance-tuned eight-speed transmission 19-inch wheels Heated front sport seats Keyless entry Hands-free opening trunk Power-folding sideview mirrors Auto-dimming rearview and driver's sideview mirrors Numerous option packages are available for the CLA. For the CLA 250, they include:

　　AMG Line package AMG body styling 18-inch wheels Lowered suspension Diamond-pattern grille Sport steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters Upgraded interior trim AMG Night package AMG Line package 18-inch wheels with black accents Gloss black exterior trim Exterior Lighting package Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Automatic high-beam assist Premium package 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and infotainment displays Auto-dimming rearview and driver's sideview mirrors Power-folding sideview mirrors Keyless entry Hands-free opening trunk Multimedia package Navigation system with augmented video overlay Speed limit alert (displays speed limit signs on the instrument panel) Driver Assistance package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CLA and the car in front, can also react to traffic signs and set speed) Lane change assistance (when cruise control is on, can automatically change lanes after driver activates turn signal for several seconds) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Parking Assistance package Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the CLA and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) The CLA is available with stand-alone options, such as:

　　Gloss black rear spoiler Leather upholstery Wood interior trim Heated and ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel AMG sport steering wheel (AMG models only) Wireless charging pad 12-speaker Burmester sound system Dashcam (AMG models only) Gesture control for the infotainment system Head-up display (AMG models only) Increased top speed (AMG 45 only) The CLA 35 is available with the above packages (minus the AMG Line) and stand-alone options and also offers the following exclusives:

　　AMG-tuned electronically adjustable sport suspension AMG Night Package Plus AMG Night package plus black badges and dark-tinted grille AMG Aerodynamics package Black performance-oriented body kit AMG Performance Seat package AMG multi-contour heated front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support Premium leather and synthetic suede steering wheel trim selectionsThe CLA 45 can also be equipped with the above packages and options, plus:

　　AMG Exterior Chrome package Silver chrome exterior trim AMG Dynamic Plus package Electronically adjustable sport suspension High-performance brakes Increased top speed Race and Drift drive modes Premium leather and synthetic suede-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel Steering wheel controls for drive mode, suspension and transmission settings The new and limited-production AMG CLA 45 Edition 55 includes:

　　19-inch wheels Black exterior paint Edition 55 exterior badging AMG Night Package Plus AMG Aerodynamics package AMG indoor car cover AMG multi-contour front seats wrapped in red and black leather Synthetic suede-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel Dark aluminum interior trim Edition 55 interior badging

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