The Mercedes-Benz compact car family has never been so big. It currently consists of the A-Class Hatchback and Sedan, B-Class MPV and CLA four-door coupe, which will be joined by the next GLA and CLA Shooting Brake, as well as the “baby G-Class” GLB.
But that’s a different topic, so let’s get back to the new CLA that was put to the test by AutoTrader, who traveled to Germany for the media launch of the car.
Sportier silhouette aside, which by the way eats into rear headroom, the 2019 CLA does the job at providing the Mercedes experience. This means that it’s refined and quiet, with an obvious focus on comfort, and brings good quality items all around. We should mention that all press cars present at the event were in the top spec, but even the base grade gets the new dual-screen infotainment system, albeit with smaller displays.
Also Read: Driven: 2018 Mercedes A-Class Lives Up To The Hype – But Only Just
The reviewer drove the 220 and 220d petrol and diesel versions, noting that both offer a decent amount of grunt and good fuel efficiency. However, the oil burner should be the obvious choice for anyone who’s doing a lot of miles on the highway, provided of course it’s available in their market.
Another thing that will come in handy is the semi-autonomous driving function. This allows the car to control the acceleration, braking and steering on its own, to an extent, making life easier for the driver.
In conclusion, the new CLA is a big improvement compared to the old one, and while the regular models aren’t suitable for driving enthusiasts, the new 302 hp AMG 35 should have this covered, at least until the range-topping, 400+ hp AMG 45 arrives.