Four Door Swoop
2020 Mercedes-benz CLA Coupe
This week’s test drive car is the MercedesBenz CLA Coupe. The description gives me pause, because the car is a four door sedan. In this, M-B’S definition of coupe is at odds with M-W. Merriam-webster calls a coupe, “A 2-door automobile, often seating only two persons.” CLA is likely best portrayed as a coupe sedan – a four door with the curvy roofline of a coupe. Redesigned for 2020, CLA slots between the A-class ($33,650) and the C-class ($41,400) in the Mercedes lineup. The premium compact is offered in three models – CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45. The 250 is front-wheel drive, with an AWD upgrade offered for $2,000. Both AMG models have standard AWD.
While the CLA shares the same, platform that underpins the A-class (107.4” wheelbase), the cars are dimensionally different. The CLA is slightly wider (.3”), and noticeably longer (5½”). It’s sits a skosh lower (.6”), and the swoop of the sedan coupe’s roofline is sharper. The differences play out on the inside like so. Front and rear legroom in the A-class are identical with the CLA (41.8” f, 33.9” r). But, there’s less headroom in the CLA (1.8” in front, 1.5” in back), compared to the A-class. I’m six feet tall and in practical terms, there’s just enough head and legroom in front in the CLA for me. A person my size sitting behind me would be tight on both dimensions (they’d also wish they had a different
2020 Mercedes-benz CLA Coupe
MSRP: $ 37,850 (CLA 250 Coupe) $46,900 (AMG CLA 35 Coupe) $54,800 (AMG CLA 45 Coupe)
driver, but that’s another matter). The bottom line is, the curvy roofline of a coupe sedan requires some concessions in rear seat room – just as it does in many two door coupes. If you like the car’s looks (and/or don’t carry tall folks with you in back often), it’s a nonissue. If you need more room, you may need a different body style. Or a different class – this is a compact, after all. On the plus side, the added length of the CLA vs. the
A-class results in more cargo capacity. Trunk volume is a decent, 11.6 cu.-ft. in CLA, which is three cubic-feet more than A-class. The rear seatbacks fold mostly flat to accommodate long items, though the trunk’s mouth isn’t especially large, so reeeeally big boxes are best left ‘til you borrow somebody’s crossover.
The interior is suitably upscale in look and feel.
The performance front bucket seats in AMG models are highly adjustable, supportive and sporty looking, but the tradeoff is less padding and less comfort than
the standard CLA seats. The driver’s view in the 250 takes in a 7” digital instrument cluster and 7” center touchscreen, both of which can be optionally upsized to 10¼” displays. The center screen affords access to the latest version of MBUX – Mercedes’ multimedia system. The system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and – particularly with the larger screen size - the displays are bright and crisp. The interface can be managed by touchscreen, center console touchpad, voice control, or steering wheel mounted buttons. Those wheel controls include tiny touchpads which the driver can use to flip through driver screen info or make adjustments to the sound system. Big or small, on consoles or steering wheels, touchpads are multilayered controls, requiring finesse moves. This type of technology works well for a phone or tablet, but it’s less satisfactory while driving, as your eyes, hands and attention are needed elsewhere. In this respect, the system’s voice controls may be the best workaround.
The added length of the CLA vs. the A-class results in more cargo capacity.
Powertrain pairings vary according to model selection. CLA 250 features a turbocharged, 2.0L four cylinder engine coupled to a 7-speed, dual clutch automatic transmission (DCT). It’s rated at 221 h.p. (13 more than the previous model) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, and fuel economy estimates are 25/35/28 (FWD), 23/33/27 (AWD). The turbo 2.0L four cylinder in AMG CLA 35 models pairs with an AMG tweaked 7-speed DCT, and output is 302 horsepower 295 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA says you can expect 23/29/25. Top of the trim, AMG CLA 45 cars employ a hand-crafted version of the 2.0L four. So massaged, the twin-scroll turbocharged motor generates 382 h.p. and 354 lb.-ft. of torque, and it’s matched with an 8-speed AMG DCT. Estimated mpg’s are 20/29/23. The trio of engines post performance numbers that range from quick to flat out fast. M-B estimates that the CLA will make the trip from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The AMG CLA 35 checks in with a time of 4.8 seconds, and the AMG CLA 45 shaves that number down to 4.0 seconds. Peak torque in the CLA 250 is available from 1,8004,000 r.p.m., and as that power band suggests, the car feels lively off the dime. ECO and Sport drive modes are available, to either sharpen or dampen engine response, in the interest of performance or economy. The modes also make corresponding adjustments to throttle response, steering heft and suspension stiffness. The top end AMG motor is polished and swift, with a better soundtrack than is usually found in a performance four cylinder.
The Amg-tuned models progressively dial up the sport factor, with standard features like a tweaked transmission, sport suspension, beefier brakes, enhanced drive control systems and readouts, and an AWD system massaged to maximize performance driving. Those with an interest in weekend autocross or track day driving will find the option sheet to be tempting. So much so, that you may find that you’ve pushed the car’s price point past that of some other AMG cars (such as the C 63 Sedan ($68,100, 469 h.p., twin turbo V-8)) - that might offer a better bang for the buck.
On the other end of the series lineup, the “base” CLA 250, optioned with AWD, offers an appealing blend of performance, style and comfort, in an all-season package, for under $40,000. The base, turbo motor is crisp and quick, and the absence of a sport suspension means the 250 has the smoothest ride of the CLA trio. It’s a very competitive choice in what is an increasingly competitive segment: compact, premium sports sedans – or coupe sedans.
A regular contributor to the Times Union for over 25 years, Dan Lyons is the award-winning author of six books, and a photographer with more than 200 calendars to his credit.