No pricing data available at this time. Our Opinion - 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review The most affordable Mercedes-Benz model in the US is the compact CLA-class four-door sedan, which does a great job of mixing the brand’s high-end features with its friendly, family-friendly styling. While it doesn’t have as many fancy features as the company’s most expensive cars, it does offer a moderate level of luxury, with a standard sunroof, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a beautifully sculpted dashboard and door panels, and a dramatic coupe-like look. It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an automatic drive with eight speeds. You can get all-wheel drive, but front-wheel drive is normal. The CLA looks sportier than it is; its suspension isn’t meant to handle thrills like a sports sedan’s but to provide solid all-day comfort. And that’s fine because the Mercedes-AMG CLA-class, its much sportier sibling, which we review separately, is ready for people who want their little luxury car to really get going. What's New? For the 2024 model year, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-class received a small change and a 48-volt hybrid system to strengthen its electric engine. The 2025 model is mostly the same, but the Surround-View 360-degree camera is now available as a separate option. Pros and Cons Pros Sophisticated interior design. Flexible and efficient powertrain. Advanced technology. Cons The second row is cramped. The ride can be harsh. Mercedes pricing is high. Engine, Transmission, and Performance All Mercedes-Benz CLA-class sedans have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with a 48-volt power source and a starter generator that is driven by a belt. The most power it can make is 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It has an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and all-wheel drive is an option. It comes with front-wheel drive. The speed is faster than in the non-hybrid 2023 model and earlier models, but it’s not too fast. It’s easy to drive, the CLA class has a smooth ride, and the driving is perfectly tuned. Safety One of the camera features that comes standard in the CLA class that can help keep you safe while driving is a 360-degree camera. The following are important safety features: It comes with automatic emergency brakes. There is a lane departure indicator and a lane-keeping aid. You can get adaptive speed control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The CLA-class is one of the company’s least expensive cars, but it has a trunk that lives up to the Mercedes-Benz name. The sleek, modern center stack has three beautiful round air vents that make it look nice. Although the small size and low price of the car mean that some compromises have to be made, the materials inside are of good quality. The front passenger area is very roomy, but the standard sunroof takes up a lot of headroom, and the seat bases feel narrower than those in bigger Mercedes sedans. There is no seat airflow, even though the front seats are heated, and the upholstery is leather. The sloping top of the car makes the second row less roomy for head and legroom. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG According to the EPA, the CLA250 with front-wheel drive gets 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The CLA250 4Matic all-wheel drive gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are good for the segment. We found that the CLA250 4Matic got 33 mpg on the highway at 75 mph. We’ll update the information as soon as we test the 2025 model. Infotainment and Connectivity The CLA-class has Mercedes-Benz’s newest infotainment system, a steering wheel with a touchpad, and a control pad on the dash. Setting up and using the system is easy overall. It has Bluetooth, five USB-B ports, an eight-speaker sound system, and a 10.3-inch monitor. Every model comes with the “Hey Mercedes” voice helper and a built-in wireless charger for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a top-of-the-line Burmester audio system with Dolby Atmos sound, but you have to move up to the Exclusive trim level to get navigation and a better sound system. Range, Charging, and Battery Life We put a 2020 all-wheel drive CLA250 4Matic through its paces on our test track before the hybrid system came out. It took 5.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, but it didn’t seem as fast around town as that number says. As soon as we get the chance to drive a newer CLA example, we’ll make changes to these numbers and remarks. Price and How to Choose Should you want all-wheel drive, the Premium 4Matic is the best choice. The CLA is the best choice for the base or top trims. If you go up the grade line, Mercedes’ bigger C-class car is right up against the CLA. The C-class comes standard with rear-wheel drive (AWD is available), and the back seats have a lot more room for people. As standard, the CLA comes with a 10.3-inch touchscreen screen, 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and a steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, so you’re not giving up anything to save money.
