Traditionalists might twitch at how marketing departments have hijacked the conventional coupe concept, but that hasn’t stopped Mercedes from using it for a new wave of streamlined four-door saloons such as this second generation CLA.
From its origins as an attractive alternative to rival compact saloons to its noticeably more streamlined looks of today, this latest CLA gains the technology, infotainment system and some engines from the current A-Class and has been positioned as a more sporting and refined choice.
The softening and streamlining process associated with styling this CLA has resulted in a svelte-looking car that’s sufficiently different enough from a conventional boxy saloon. It’ll also be interesting to see how the CLA stacks up against the new A-Class saloon.
Will there be sufficient separation between these cars or will one cannibalise the sales of the other? Conveniently for Mercedes, there’s presently no direct CLA competitor; BMW’s 2-Series Coupe is smaller and Audi’s larger A3 is a standard saloon.
There’s almost something for everyone in the engine department, although you’ll have to be patient if you’re after a sporty AMG model or diesel option. The former, in hot 306bhp CLA 35 AMG guise is coming later this year, and the latter 2.0-litre 190bhp CLA 220d arrives shortly after the four key petrol options have hit the showrooms.
As usual, model names bear little resemblance to what’s under the bonnet. The entry-level CLA 180 and 200 pack a 1.4-litre petrol engine with 136 and 163bhp respectively, the mid-range 2.0-litre CLA 220 boasts 190bhp and, for now, the range-topping CLA 250 produces 224bhp also from a 2.0-litre unit.
The gearbox options are easier to digest, with a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic the default launch choice for petrols and an eight-speed auto for the diesel model. Four-wheel drive courtesy of Mercedes’ 4MATIC technology is an option for 220d buyers. There will also eventually be a six-speed manual option, which is expected to find most favour among cost-conscious company car drivers.
Wider and longer than its predecessor and boasting a lower stance, the CLA’s suspension set-up aims to sharpen up the driving experience. Front-wheel drive is the default layout, yet the car feels sufficiently agile even at brisk speeds to feel sporty.
The various suspension changes aren’t just marketing hype and you can cycle through a few driving modes to increase or decrease the emphasis on performance, although the default comfort setting proved the most adept at dealing with varying road surfaces and driving routes.
The CLA’s steering isn’t blessed with an abundance of feedback, but it’s accurate and imparts enough confidence to let you place the car where you want it. The twin-clutch gearboxes deliver snappier responses over a traditional automatic but the trade off is that you occasionally don’t get the buttery smooth gearchanges of old.
Crucially, irrespective of engine choice, cabin refinement is good, as is the ridfe quality. When you’ve finished pretending to be Lewis Hamilton you can relax and listen to the car’s audio system without wind or tyre noise spoiling the journey.
Engine choice is, however, a little more critical than usual depending on what you want to get out of the CLA experience. Most impressive is the 190bhp petrol 220 version complete with four-wheel drive. The lower powered 200 would be more than enough for regular motoring duties but it lacks the raspy note of the 220 and the extra urgency. We’re not convinced that the 250 would warrant the extra outlay though, especially if you opted for a 220 with four-wheel drive instead.
In the cabin, think A-Class but will less rear headroom and you’re not far off what the CLA feels like. The overall design and layout of the various displays and controls mirror that of the compact hatchback.
The view might appear familiar to Mercedes fans, but to regular buyers faced with two large screens, a steering wheel littered with buttons and a large laptop-style trackpad located on the centre console, can all be a little intimidating.
Technophobes will face a steep learning curve, as even the entry-level AMG Line trim is packed with tech. Persist and it eventually makes sense, although it can feel overwhelming at times.
It’s hard to fault the cabin’s overall ambience though. It’s typically Mercedes, a nice place to spend time in, there’s enough storage space and fit and finish is impressive. Front seat passengers shouldn’t feel cramped but those in the back will need to compromise on head and legroom. The latter is the price you pay for the CLA’s coupe profile. At least access to the reasonably sized boot is better than before.
The depth and breadth of kit available might be considerable but, thankfully, the three trim levels – AMG line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus – make life picking a winner easy.
Base spec includes high power headlights, sat nav, voice control, an impressive audio system plus mobile phone integration, digital instrument display, climate control, lane keep assist and a speed limiter. The middle grade adds a larger main display to match the infotainment touchscreen, uprated audio, keyless entry and a dash cam.
It’s easy to view Mercedes’ niche-plugging capers as a cynical marketing exercise, but unlike some of the more questionable efforts of its rivals, it has a solid track record of spotting trends and using existing resources to gain the upper hand. The CLA is a pleasingly rounded product, and one that successfully blends eye-catching form with more than just a token sprinkling of function.
The tech overload might be a little much for some, but the whole widescreen, voice control and augmented reality sat nav is how Mercedes wants to differentiate itself from the competition.
At least the sometimes over-cautious safety kit can still be turned off and the car lives up to its AMG branding if driving enjoyment is a key selling point. The CLA is a rare case of reality matching the hype in a world chock-full of marketing-led disappointments.
Logbook Lowdown
Model: Mercedes CLA Coupe
On sale: Summer
Price range: £30,550- £37,455
Engine range: Petrol – 1.4, 1.4 163bhp, 2.0, 2.0-litre 224bhp; Turbo-diesel – 2.0-litre
Power: 0 to 60mph in 6.3 seconds, 155mph top speed (CLA 250)
Average fuel economy: 51.4mpg (CLA 180)
CO2 emissions range: 123 – 149g/km
Rivals: Audi A3 saloon, BMW 2-Series Coupe
Rating: 8/10
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