We can all marvel at the high end Mercedes-Benz offerings that are the flagship of the great automaker, but so many cannot afford to shell out the nearly $60,000 and up price tags that are attached to so many of the line of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. In an effort to attract shoppers who can afford a $30,000 or a little higher car Mercedes-Benz offers the CLA-Class as the car for the masses. As a beautiful compact-luxury sedan the CLA-Class offers style and grace that is found in many of the larger models but shows up in a much smaller model.
The CLA-Class shows up in a class with the Cadillac ATS and Audi A3 to compete at a high level and leave these classic favorites behind. Because the affordable part of Mercedes-Benz was missing for so long, the automaker found a way to reach the masses with a great car full of awesome features for all to enjoy. As a model that is only in its second year of existence, the CLA adds a few features to make it an even more attractive offering. These additions include ambient lighting; keyless starting, a larger seven-inch display and a new steering wheel all grace the model lineup to give even more the CLA fans.
Having options for both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive the CLA-Class offers a driving feeling that is smooth and comfortable. With agile confidence the CLA can handle any canyon run with a minimum of body throw from a highly balanced steering system and a suspension that makes the car feel sturdy and smooth even when several road abrasions are present. To finish off the control structure of this car the brakes of the CLA are dynamic and ready to bring the car to a confident stop, allowing drivers to really push the limits in this compact luxury sedan.
There are two very different engines to choose from in terms of power for the CLA-Class. Both of these great engines are attached to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which helps keep the driving smooth and allows the engine to give the most it has to offer.
The first engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine which is found in the CLA250. This engine coughs out 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. When attached to the transmission this powertrain will produce fuel numbers of 26 city/38 hwy mpg for the front-wheel drive model and 24 city/32 hwy mpg for the all-wheel drive version. This gives the CLA-Class another feather in its cap with some very enjoyable fuel mileage to keep the savings going while offering a vehicle that is well-equipped.
The second engine found in the CLA-Class belongs to the CLA45 AMG 4Matic. This engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that offers up a very strong 355 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. This model only comes in the all-wheel drive version and shows up with a fuel mileage of 23 city/31 hwy mpg. For those who can splurge and buy this model, the tradeoff of fuel mileage is actually very minimal, making the additional power and sporty features a great deal for this model of the CLA-Class.
Inside the cabin of the CLA-Class the space is a little snug, but still ample enough to feel comfortable. The control panel is filled with high end tech in order to keep the driver well informed of what is going on with the vehicle. The rear seat is a bit cramped due to the low slung profile but is still suitable for most adults. The trunk space is generous and the overall features offered are all high end, especially when compared to other models in this class.
The CLA-Class appears to be smaller version of the beautiful CLS-Class which makes for a great vehicle. The lines and curves are gorgeous and exciting from start to finish. The front fascia is adorned with a large grill, with the three-point star on the front, swept back headlights, and a low angle from hood to roof that allows the car to be attractive from all angles. As the Mercedes for the masses, the CLA-Class is a great way to show style and sensibility in any driveway. Strangely as it may be, this car actually boasts the badge of being the “world’s most aerodynamic car” with its drag coefficient of 0.23; a result of the low profile and small stature of this fantastic looking luxury sedan.
The standard equipment offered for the CLA-Class shows up with cruise control, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain sensing windshield wipers, keyless starting, a start-stop feature, adaptive braking, hill-start assistance, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port. The AMG model adds the more powerful engine, standard all-wheel drive, and the Sport Package. With these features alone the CLA-Class of cars makes a great choice with some seriously enjoyable features to take full advantage of and experience on the road.
The optional features for the CLA-Class are lumped into packages, similar to many other vehicles on the market today. The Premium Package adds keyless entry, a Harman/Kardon Logic7 Surround Sound system, heated seats, and a few other features. The Multimedia Package adds a larger seven-inch screen with a navigation system, SiriusXM traffic and weather, a ten-gig hard drive and a rearview camera. Some stand-alone features include the 4Matic all-wheel drive system, blind spot assistance, and the self-parking Parktronic feature. Adding the packages or some of the single features can turn a driving experience to an oasis from the road and make that daily commute one that is much more enjoyable on a regular basis.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class show up in the lineup advertised as the Mercedes-Benz that can be afforded by a much larger audience. With a smaller size than most sedans the CLA makes its way to the compact luxury class and gives owners a chance to drive a great luxury car while not breaking the bank. The starting price point for the CLA250 shows up just under $31,000 for the front-wheel drive model and moves up $2,000 to gain the all-wheel drive version. With options added the price can move past $40,000 in a hurry but the additions can be some the best features of the car. The CLA45 AMG starts out much higher (as all the AMG’s do) at $48,300 but at that price this is lowest AMG car on the market and it’s full of great sport features at a reasonable price.
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