The new Mercedes-Benz CLA comes loaded with AI-powered tech and a rather handsome suit. Its engine, however, bubbles with excitement but delivers rather less than expected.
Singapore — I’m not entirely sure I’m a fan of that new pug-like front end. But the latest Mercedes-Benz CLA certainly has presence, and it looks rather good overall.
Like its predecessors, the CLA is designed to ape the larger CLS four-door coupé, and it does a rather convincing job of it. Oh, wait. Mercedes-Benz has discontinued the CLS. So perhaps the closest stylistic relative now is the incoming AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, with its similarly pug-like snoot and swooping silhouette. But that is where the similarities largely end.
Among its compact, premium-badged brethren, the CLA joins the BMW 216 Gran Coupé in selling the idea of a four-door coupé, while Audi has stuck to its guns with the A3 Sedan being exactly what it says on the tin — an actual sedan.
Still, it doesn’t take long to warm up to the CLA’s styling. That low-slung front end, pug nose and all, its sloping roofline and forward-leaning rear all hint at its sporting intentions.
The CLA 200 AMG Line tested here gets 18-inch AMG-badged alloy wheels, along with sportier bumpers at both ends. It certainly looks the part.
Playing up that AMG interior game
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a huge, upright panel that dominates the dashboard. A 14-inch infotainment touchscreen takes centre stage, while buyers opting for the CLA 200 AMG Line Sport get the added indulgence of a passenger display.
The infotainment system runs the fourth-generation MBUX interface, bringing together generative AI, including ChatGPT, Google Maps and graphics powered by the Unity game engine. There’s certainly no shortage of clever tech here, and the CLA feels considerably more youthful than the car it replaces.
A generous scattering of ambient lighting adds to the atmosphere. The sporty, red-trimmed interior is a little much for my taste, but I can see it finding plenty of fans.
Less appealing are some of the ergonomic decisions. Like an increasing number of new cars, the CLA buries its air-conditioning controls at the bottom of the MBUX touchscreen.
Operating the rear windows from the driver’s seat is another exercise in unnecessary cleverness. There are just two window switches, with a separate ‘Rear’ toggle that you need to press before you can operate the back windows.
The sloping roofline also means taller passengers may find headroom a little tight in the rear. The 405-litre boot, on the other hand, is perfectly adequate for everyday duties, while the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats offer some welcome flexibility when you need to carry more than just shopping bags.
Healthy paper numbers, lacklustre powertrain
It took me a while to figure out how to start the CLA, largely because there isn’t a conventional start button to press. Instead, select Drive and off you go. Press the Park button, and the engine shuts down.
Out on the road, the new CLA makes a noticeably better impression in some areas. Insulation and ride quality have improved, giving it a more grown-up demeanour than before. Just.
Road holding is impressive and predictable, too. Turn into a bend, and the front end responds with reassuring precision. The chassis feels communicative, and the car remains composed through corners without making a meal of things.
So far, so good.
Under the bonnet sits Mercedes-Benz’s M252 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 163hp and 250Nm of torque. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system chips in with an additional 30hp.
Power is channelled through an eight-speed 8F-eDCT dual-clutch automatic transmission, which incorporates an electric drive motor. Besides assisting the engine, particularly when pulling away and under load, the motor also recuperates energy.
On paper, the combination sounds promising. In practice, though, the transmission rather gets in the way of the experience.
The gearbox seems reluctant to shift up, preferring to hang on to each gear for longer than necessary. When you’re in a hurry, it isn’t uncommon to find it holding a gear until around 4,000rpm.
That might be forgivable if the engine rewarded such enthusiasm with a particularly convincing surge of performance. Unfortunately, the powertrain doesn’t quite deliver the response I was hoping for.
Overtaking requires a little more planning, too. Ask for a kickdown, and the transmission sometimes seems to take a moment to figure out what you’re trying to achieve. There’s also the occasional jerk when the electric motor hands over to the combustion engine, interrupting what should otherwise be a reasonably smooth driving experience.
None of these traits makes the CLA undriveable. Far from it. But they do undermine what should be one of the car’s stronger selling points: the promise of a more refined, technologically advanced Mercedes-Benz.
A rather unfortunate conclusion
There is plenty to like about the new CLA 200 AMG Line. It looks distinctive, its cabin is brimming with technology, and its ride and road manners are a noticeable step in the right direction.
But the powertrain is the fly in the ointment.
The mild-hybrid setup promises a little extra assistance and efficiency, yet the transmission’s reluctance to shift, occasional hesitation and awkward transitions between electric and petrol power leave me wanting more.
It’s particularly frustrating because the rest of the car feels like a fairly convincing step forward.
If you’re set on a new CLA, I’d be inclined to give the fully electric variant a serious look. For all the cleverness packed into the petrol-powered CLA 200, it’s the EV that may make the more convincing case for the future of the nameplate.
Text & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quality interior | Overly stubborn gearbox |
| Lots of tech | Lack of physical buttons |
| Pleasant handling |
Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 AMG Line Hybrid
| Drivetrain | Petrol-electric mild hybrid |
| Layout | 1,498cc, turbocharged inline-four |
| Power / torque | 163hp / 250Nm |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Efficiency | 19.6km/l |
| Fuel Capacity | 43 Litres |
| 0-100km/h | 8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 232km/h |
| VES Band | B |
| Dealer | Cycle & Carriage |
| Verdict | The new Mercedes-Benz CLA has plenty of good to offer. Unfortunately, the sluggish powertrain is quite the deal breaker. |
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