Used 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

While Mercedes-Benz built its reputation on cars like the supremely luxurious S-Class sedan, let’s face it, not everyone has that kind of budget. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sedan aims to bring that Mercedes-Benz experience to a lower price point, but without sacrificing the "Mercedes-ness" of the car. Starting at around $30,000 for the CLA250, it certainly hits the price point. But what’s surprising is the style packed into this compact-luxury sedan. Taking its cues from the larger CLS-Class, the CLA’s sweeping lines work well with its tidy dimensions, giving it an aggressiveness and road presence that’s matched by how it drives, especially the CLA45 AMG model. It’s a compelling car against the likes of the Cadillac ATS, Audi A3 and other small luxury sedans.

Much has been made about the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 being a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car. The reality is that you’d be hard-pressed to tell what wheels were doing the hard work from behind the wheel of this compact-luxury sedan. It’s quick off the line, thanks to the excellent 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and only at the most extreme cornering limits do you notice front-end "plowing" in a way that belies its FWD origins. It doesn’t matter though, as the 4Matic option adds all-wheel drive (AWD), eliminating that tendency and letting the little Benz respond sharply at the limit. If the standard 208-horsepower engine isn’t enough for you despite the excellent transmission, check out the CLA45 AMG. Its engine pumps 355 horsepower through all four wheels, plus it offers a stiffer suspension, better brakes and other performance upgrades.

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class intimate inside, or cramped? It depends on if you like what you see, and we’re betting more will choose the latter. While the low-slung profile means there’s not a lot of room, especially in the back, the interior is definitely up to Mercedes-Benz specifications when it comes to materials and assembly. Sure, some of the plastic bits feel a little cheap, but the reality is that next to its competitors, it feels more upmarket than you might think. Even the MB-Tex faux leather feels authentic enough that you likely won’t miss real cowhides.

While it may look like Mercedes-Benz simply took its prettiest sedan – the CLS – and left it in the dryer too long to create the CLA-Class, there’s a lot more to it. Still, the swooping architecture translates well to the smaller car, making it look longer and wider than it really is, at least in isolation. However, the illusion breaks in traffic, when you notice how little of its lane it occupies. However, the low stance, narrow tires and clean shape net the CLA250 the title of "world’s most aerodynamic car" with a drag coefficient of only 0.23.

PANORAMA ROOF
The snug CLA cabin benefits from the extra glass of the panoramic sunroof option. Open it up, and you’re treated to near-convertible levels of sunshine. Alternatively, you can just leave the glass exposed, creating the illusion of additional headroom.

ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING
A common complaint among enthusiasts is that electrically assisted power steering robs the mechanism of "feel" or "feedback." They’ll be happy to know that the CLA manages to retain its feel, making this a more entertaining driver’s car.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 comes standard with things you’d expect, like cruise control, a power driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. However, we were surprised that more advanced features like rain-sensing windshield wipers were part of the package as well. Keyless ignition, start-stop technology and adaptive braking with hill-start assist are also standard. Bluetooth is standard on the base model, as is a USB port. CLA45 AMG models come with a more powerful engine and standard all-wheel drive, and also include the Sport Package that’s available on the CLA250 models.

Most options are available in packages, like the Premium Package that adds keyless entry, as well as a harman/kardon Logic7 Surround Sound system, heated seats (which are also available a la carte) and a few other goodies. A Multimedia Package offers a bigger 7-inch screen with navigation and SiriusXM traffic and weather, as well as a 10-gig music hard drive and a rearview camera. Stand-alone options include 4Matic all-wheel drive, blind-spot assist and the "self-parking" Parktronic feature.

You have your choice of engines in Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level sedan. The CLA250 gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 208 horsepower, available in either FWD or AWD. The CLA45 AMG version of that engine puts out an astonishing 355 horsepower to all four wheels. The AMG engine is the first 4-cylinder engine from Mercedes-Benz’s in-house tuning branch. Both are mated to 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (CLA250)
208 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/38 mpg (FWD), 24/32 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (CLA45 AMG 4Matic)
355 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/31 mpg