A PLEASANT SURPRISE
Would you like a Mercedes for less than $40,000? The CLA could just be the ticket
When Mercedes-Benz initially introduced Canadians to the entry-level B-Class hatchback, I was skeptical. Not about the car itself, but whether a luxury manufacturer could put drivers into something close to a mainstream-price level and still keep its upper-crust credentials.
Turned out I was wrong. The B-Class brought in new waves of customers, while S-Class drivers didn’t stick “For Sale” signs on their windshields in protest. It also eventually ushered in other models on its smaller, frontwheel-drive platform, including the CLA 250.
It’s a sweet little whip of a car, with a spunky little engine and quick handling. And if the interior isn’t quite as luxurious as its larger siblings, well, the price isn’t as large, either. At least, before you start adding the numerous available options. The 2017, front-wheel-drive CLA version starts at $35,300, while my 4Matic all-wheel model began at $37,900. The 2018 models rise by $400.
The CLA 250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre fourcylinder engine that cranks out 208 horsepower and, more impressively, 258 lb.-ft. of torque that peaks at just 1,200 r.p.m. to provide the car’s snap. If that isn’t enough, there’s also the 375-horsepower Mercedes-AMG CLA 45, but it rings in at $53,200.
The turbo engine also has a sporty-sweet rumble to it, brought to you courtesy of the stereo system when equipped with the optional Sport Package. In addition to adding perforated front brake discs and AMGstyled wheels, fascias and side sills, the package includes a system that grabs that good engine sound and transmits it inside through the speakers. It’s a gimmick, but I thought it was cool and you can mute it, if desired.
Fortunately, you can also switch off the engine’s start/ stop function, which shuts the engine down at idle to save fuel and emissions, and turns it back on as soon as you take your foot off the brake. These systems can vary from smooth to annoyingly jarring when the engine starts up again, and the CLA’s tends toward the latter.
The CLA uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that’s a bit rough and jerky at lower speeds, but smooths out and shifts quickly when you drive it harder. It can be sequentially shifted via paddles on the steering wheel, and the gear changes are satisfyingly quick. The allwheel-drive system primarily powers the front wheels, but sends up to 50 per cent of torque to the rear tires as needed. The steering is well-weighted and the car is tight and well-planted around corners. The ride is firm and you feel the toughest bumps, but overall it’s in line with the car’s sporty demeanour.
It’s quite the looker, too, with that swoopy profile that Mercedes-Benz insists on calling a coupe even though it has four doors. But there’s always a catch, and in this case, that swept-back roofline chews up a considerable chunk of headroom. It’s tight enough in the front seat, but those in the rear must first try to get in without bonking their heads, and taller passengers will brush the headliner.
The seats are comfortable once you’re in, though, and they’re heated and clad in very convincing fake cowhide. The rear seats are also nicely-sculpted and more supportive than in many vehicles, where flat-cushioned chairs are the norm. They’re split 60/40 and fold almost flat to increase the trunk capacity.
The cabin isn’t quite as handsome as the exterior, and the swaths of plain plastic are a quick reminder that you’re getting into a Benz for less than $40,000. Still, the switchgear feels solid, and I like the big vents that are easy to open and direct just by grabbing their tines. The climate control system isn’t always as straightforward, though, and while the temperature is quickly adjusted via nicely-sized dials, changing the fan speed means looking for a button above the display to turn it up, and then another button below it to turn it down. And I’d rather have such important functions as the defrosters at the top of the centre stack, instead of the phone and media controls.
The infotainment system is contained in a tablet-style screen perched on top of the dash, its side profile made slimmer for the 2017 model. Putting it up there helps keep your eyes up and also lets the designers put in a lower dash for a roomier-looking cabin, but the downside is that it looks odd and tacked-on. For 2017, Android Auto smartphone integration has been added alongside the already available Apple CarPlay, at least after you’ve tacked on a $2,100 Premium Plus package, which also adds automatic climate control, blind spot assist and a rear-view camera.
The screen isn’t touch-sensitive and functions are handled via COMAND, which uses buttons and a joystick to access the radio, phone and navigation duties, and which can be clunky to use. Some other seemingly diehard automakers are finally adding touch ability to their screens, and I’d love to see Mercedes-Benz do the same. There is voice recognition and it works well most of the time, but if it misinterprets an address, you’re generally stuck with having to exit and start all over again.
As with any vehicle, you’ll have to assess what you can and can’t live with on the CLA.