Practicality looks great with estate

MERCEDES-BENZ has found great success by creating a wide variety of variations of its models.

That’s especially true of the A-Class, which is available with slightly different names as a hatchback, saloon, estate, coupe and SUV – the only thing missing from the line-up is a convertible.

It’s the estate we are testing here – the CLA Shooting Brake.

It’s longer than the A-Class but retains its fairly compact proportions, meaning you get practicality in an ultra-stylish package. Prices start at about £32k, marking a £5k saving over the larger and less sleek-looking C-Class Estate.

Based on the latest-generation A-Class, the CLA Shooting

Brake gets all the same updates, including that stylish front end and a massively improved interior.

The latter is filled with technology because Mercedes is targeting a young audience with this car.

The Shooting Brake model specifically is now more practical than before, with the rear luggage space improved.

Meanwhile, the CLA Coupe and Shooting Brake have been given the sportiest driving characteristics of any of Mercedes’ A models through a retuned suspension.

There are five petrol engines and one diesel available. The petrols range from the entry level 180 model, which features a 134bhp 1.3-litre engine, all the way up to the high-performance CLA 45 which has a 415bhp 2.0litre unit.

Our test model was the only diesel, badged 220 d, which gets a 187bhp 2.0-litre engine.

It’s a decent unit, with plenty of torque that makes it feel punchy under acceleration.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake is an enticing prospect, because it largely sits in a segment all of its own.

If you’d like the extra practicality of an estate but only need quite a small car, it’s a great option – the fact it looks so good is merely a bonus.