Mercedes-Benz CLA review
Want a car with a premium badge that looks sleek and stylish but doesn't have a giant price tag? The Mercedes-Benz CLA could be just the ticket.
Author: Charlie Harvey
26th Jan 2026 – 9 mins read
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a bit of a head-turner. It’s a compact saloon with the swooping, sporty lines of a coupe, designed to be a more affordable entry point into the world of Mercedes-Benz. Think of it as a sibling to the popular A-Class hatchback, but with a boot and a bit more flair. First launched in 2013, it was created to appeal to a younger audience who wanted the premium feel of a Mercedes without the traditional executive saloon price. It looks sharp, it’s packed with tech, and it comes with a range of efficient engines. While it's based on the A-Class, its unique style helps it stand out from the crowd. It’s a car you choose because you love its looks.
Pros
- Stunning, coupe-like styling
- Premium badge at a reasonable price
- Efficient engines mean low running costs
Cons
- Rear passenger space is quite tight
- Suspension can feel firm on bumpy roads
- Less practical than the A-Class it's based on
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Slip inside the CLA, and you're greeted with a dashboard that feels instantly familiar if you've been in a modern Mercedes. It's stylish and high-tech, with turbine-style air vents and a high-quality finish. The infotainment system is controlled via a screen that sits proudly on the dashboard.
Most versions come with a 7-inch display, Bluetooth, USB ports, and Apple CarPlay, so you can easily connect your phone for music and navigation. It’s a good system, and while it might not be the very latest MBUX "Hey Mercedes" setup found in brand-new models, it's still very user-friendly and looks the part.
Comfort
The CLA's sporty looks are matched by its sporty feel. The seats are supportive and hold you in place well, but the suspension is definitely on the firm side. You'll feel bumps and imperfections in the road more than you would in a more comfort-focused saloon like the C-Class. It's not harsh enough to be a deal-breaker, but it’s something to be aware of if you prioritise a soft, wafting ride.
Quality
The interior quality is a real strong point. It feels every bit a premium product, with well-chosen materials and a solid, well-built feel. The switchgear clicks with satisfying precision, and everything you touch feels like it will last. It's this sense of quality that helps justify the premium badge on the bonnet and makes the cabin a lovely place to spend time.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is where the CLA's focus on style comes with a small compromise. Up front, there’s plenty of space for the driver and passenger to get comfortable. In the back, however, that beautiful sloping roofline eats into headroom. It’s fine for kids or for adults on shorter trips, but anyone over six feet tall might find their head brushing the ceiling. Legroom is also a bit tight compared to a more traditional saloon or hatchback.
Boot space
As it's a saloon, the boot opening isn't as large as you'd get on a hatchback like the A-Class, which can make loading bulky items a bit tricky. That said, the boot itself is a decent size. It’s large enough for a couple of suitcases or the weekly shop, but if you regularly need to carry big, awkward items, the CLA might not be the most practical choice.
Versatility
The CLA is a four-door car, so access to the rear seats is easy. While it’s not the most practical family car, it’s more than capable of handling everyday life for couples or small families. Think of it as a stylish alternative to a regular hatchback, offering a bit more glamour without sacrificing too much usability.
Driving
Driving experience
The CLA is an enjoyable and easy car to drive. The steering is light and responsive, which makes it feel agile and easy to place on the road, whether you're in town or on a winding country lane. The firm suspension that can be a bit of a pain on bumpy roads pays off in the corners, where the car feels flat and composed with very little body roll. It’s a confident and secure car to drive. On the motorway, it settles into a quiet and comfortable cruise.
Performance
There's a good selection of petrol and diesel engines to suit different needs. The entry-level CLA 180 is a 1.6-litre petrol that’s perfectly adequate for most journeys, getting from 0-60mph in under nine seconds. The diesel models, like the 200 d and 220 d, offer a great mix of strong performance and excellent fuel economy, making them ideal for high-mileage drivers.
For those who want serious speed, there are the AMG models. The CLA 45 AMG is a proper performance car with a powerful turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive, capable of 0-60mph in just over four seconds.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
This is an area where the CLA performs very well. The diesel engines are particularly frugal, with some models capable of achieving over 60mpg on a good run. Even the standard petrol engines are efficient, returning around 50mpg. The high-performance AMG models are naturally thirstier, but even they can return a surprisingly reasonable 40mpg if driven gently. Low CO2 emissions across much of the range also help keep road tax costs down.
Value for money
The CLA was designed to be an affordable Mercedes, and on the used market, it represents fantastic value. You get the premium badge, stylish looks, and a high-quality interior for a price that’s much more accessible than a larger C-Class. It also holds its value quite well, which is good news when you come to sell it on.
Reliability & Warranty
Mercedes has a great reputation for building solid, reliable cars, and the CLA is no different. With its excellent build quality, you can expect it to be a dependable companion. As always, look for a car with a full service history to ensure it’s been well looked after.
Safety
Safety features
When it comes to safety, the CLA delivers. It was awarded a full five-star rating by the safety experts at Euro NCAP. It scored particularly well for protecting adult occupants and for its safety assistance systems. All models come with a good amount of standard safety kit, including multiple airbags and stability control systems. Many also feature advanced driver aids like cruise control and Parking Pilot to help with manoeuvres.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The CLA comes in a few different flavours, mainly Sport and AMG Line, along with some special editions.
- Sport: This is the entry-level trim, but it’s far from basic. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, the 7-inch infotainment screen, cruise control, sports seats, and keyless start.
- AMG Line: This trim gives the CLA a sportier look, with AMG-style bumpers, lowered suspension for sharper handling, and aluminium sports pedals inside. It’s a very popular choice.
- Performance Trims: The powerful 250 AMG and Mercedes-AMG 45 models get their own specific trim, with even more aggressive styling, bigger brakes, sports exhausts, and performance-tuned suspension and gearboxes.
Engines
You get a good choice of petrol and diesel engines, all paired with either a manual or a smooth automatic gearbox.
- 1.6-litre Petrol (CLA 180): The entry-level petrol. A great all-rounder for everyday driving.
- 2.1-litre Diesel (CLA 200 d & 220 d): These are the ones to go for if you do a lot of motorway miles. They offer fantastic fuel economy and plenty of pulling power.
- 2.0-litre Turbo Petrol (250 AMG & AMG 45): These are the high-performance options, offering hot-hatch-worrying speed and a thrilling drive.