Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Overview

Unlike many of the other venerated classes by Mercedes-Benz, the Mercedes-Benz CLA only harken back to 2013. This stylish little sedan entered its second generation in 2019 bearing the designation C118 for the Coupe and X118 for the Shooting Brake Body, and shares the same Modular Front Architecture 2 (MFA2) platform as the W177 A-Class, W247 B-Class, X247 GLB and H247 GLA.

As one of the cars that will introduce new buyers to the marque, the Mercedes-Benz CLA has understandably many variants. There are 6 petrol and 1 diesel variant available to both body styles, and there is also a plug-in hybrid available as well to both bodies. Unique to the Shooting Brake are 2 additional diesel engines. For additional personalisation, buyers can choose from the Progressive Line or the AMG Line, and in the first year all engine variants also have the option to be trimmed in Edition 1 bits.

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Exterior

In both Coupe and Shooting Brake styles, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is remarkably handsome. The curvaceous roofline of the Coupe is successfully replicated on the Shooting Brake, and both feature frameless doors, giving the Mercedes-Benz CLA striking aesthetics. The long stretched bonnet with its twin powerdomes culminate in a new shark nose, adding to the overall dynamism.

With the extended hood, the cabin (or greenhouse, as the carmaker calls it) is moved rearwards visually, giving the coupe and wagon a pleasing grand touring appeal. All in all, the second generation Mercedes-Benz CLA took on the design language that we are familiar with the current crop of cars from the three-pointed star, while still retaining the emotional design for which the first gen car was well-known for.

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Interior

In recent years, Stuttgart has made interiors that cannot be criticized, and the same holds true in this Mercedes-Benz that is aimed at younger, neweer buyers, and it is very much like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class inside. The cowl that usually sits above the cockpit is not seen here, and thus the dashboard extends from door to door for visual continuity.

The lower section is designed to appear separated from the one above, and the widescreen display floats in between, bringing both together harmoniously. Both the Coupe and Shooting Brake have identical interiors, although the latter has, unsurprisingly, more headroom and shoulder room for the rear occupants, although legroom remains pretty tight for both.

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Features

One of the highlights of the interior is the Widescreen Cockpit’s twin 10.3-inch displays. With these, the cockpit take on a state-of-the-art appeal, and currently, no other carmaker’s infotainment dysplay can rival this one. In a car that is aimed at a younger audience, this is a standout feature.

Additional extras that enhance comfort are available as well. The ENERGIZING comfort control can control the functions of the air conditioning system, ambient lighting and the heating/ventilation/massage functions of the seats for the wellness of the occupants.

Other options include KEYLESS-GO, a panoramic sliding sunroof, a heads-up display, a parking package with a 360-degree camera system, and a Burmester sound system. In the safety department, there is an optional Driving Assistance Package that brings Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC for semi-autonomous driving, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and Active Lane Change Assist.

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Powertrain

• Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 | 1.3-litre inline-4 turbo | 138 PS at 5,500 rpm | 200 Nm at 1,460 rpm | 6-speed automatic transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 | 1.3-litre inline-4 turbo | 165 PS at 5,500 rpm | 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm | 6-speed automatic transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 | 2.0-litre inline-4 turbo | 193 PS at 5,500 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 7G DCT transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 4MATIC (Coupe only) | 2.0-litre inline-4 turbo | 193 PS at 5,500 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 7G DCT transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 (Coupe only) | 2.0-litre inline-4 turbo | 227 PS at 5,500 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 7G DCT transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC | 2.0-litre inline-4 turbo | 227 PS at 5,500 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 7G DCT transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 d | 1.5-litre inline-4 turbodiesel | 118 PS at 4,000 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 7G DCT transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e | 1.3-litre inline-4 turbo | combustion engine : 162 hp at 5,500 rpm & 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm | electric engine : 75 kW & 300 Nm | total system output : 221 PS & 450 Nm
• And here are the diesel engine variants that are unique to the Shooting Brake.
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 d | 2.0-litre inline-4 turbodiesel | 152 PS at 3,400 rpm | 320 Nm at 1,400 rpm | 8G DCT transmission
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d | 2.0-litre inline-4 turbodiesel | 193 PS at 3,800 rpm | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 8G DCT transmission

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Driving Performance

Here are all the benchmark figures for the variants.

• Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 Coupe / 180 Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 9.4 s / 9.6 s | Top speed is 216 km/h / 215 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 Coupe / 200 Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 8.5 s / 8.4 s | Top speed is 229 km/h / 226 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 Coupe / 220 Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 7.0 s / 7.1 s | Top speed is 241 km/h / 240 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 4MATIC Coupe | 0-100 km/h in 7.0 s | Top speed is 241 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Coupe | 0-100 km/h in 6.3 s | Top speed is 250 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC Coupe / 250 4MATIC Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 6.3 s / 6.4 s | Top speed is 250 km/h for both
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 d Coupe / 180 d Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 10.7 s / 11.0 s | Top speed is 205 km/h / 203 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 d Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 8.4 s | Top speed is 221 km/h
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d Shooting Brake | 0-100 km/h in 7.2 s | Top speed is 237 km/h

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Ride Comfort

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Fuel Economy

• Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 Coupe / 180 Shooting Brake | 5.7-5.5 / 5.8-5.5 l/100km | 130-125 / 132-125 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 Coupe / 200 Shooting Brake | 6.2-5.9 / 5.7-5.4 l/100km | 142-134 / 131-124 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 Coupe / 220 Shooting Brake | 6.3-6.1 / 6.4-6.2 l/100km | 143-139 / 146-142 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 4MATIC Coupe | 6.7-6.5 l/100km | 153-149 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Coupe | 6.3-6.1 l/100km | 143-139 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC Coupe / 250 4MATIC Shooting Brake | 6.7-6.5 / 6.8-6.6 l/100km | 105-100 / 156-151 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 d Coupe / 180 d Shooting Brake | 4.0-3.8 / 4.5-4.4 l/100km | 105-100 / 109/104 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 d Shooting Brake | 4.5-4.4 l/100km | 118-111 g/km
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d Shooting Brake | 4.5-4.4 l/100km | 119-115 g/km

Mercedes-Benz CLA – Conclusion

This stylish compact sedan from Stuttgart is the best looking one in its class right now, with the agility to match and a myriad of engines as well as two bodies from which to choose so that buyers have many choices that will suit their needs and budget. What’s more, the carmaker has also gone through a full successful rebrand, pivoting away from the ‘old-money luxury’ that it once was into an exciting, contemporary marque that young and old have no problem associating with now.