2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA gets a new Ice Edition, combining an AMG-look exterior. It also has LED headlights, Dinamica trim, a panorama roof, and black 18-inch wheels.

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Description

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA Expert Review

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the least costly sedan in the automaker’s lineup, leading some to assume it’s not a “real” Mercedes—just a bargain-basement ploy to trap clients into the showroom. The CLA takes on the Audi A3, Acura ILX, and even the BMW 2 Series, at least from a price-and-size standpoint, with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powering the front or all four wheels. You get restricted visibility and a cramped rear seat, but that’s a small fee to pay for first-time luxury car buyers. If you prefer more power, the Mercedes-AMG CLA45 (reviewed separately) has it in spades and much more.

You’ll Like the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA I

If you must have a luxury brand, but don’t have a ton to spend, then the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 makes appropriate sense. It provides stable performance, proper handling, and a cool fashion resembling a much more pricey CLS.

What’s new in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA?

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA gets a new Ice Edition, combining an AMG-look exterior. It also has LED headlights, Dinamica trim, a panorama roof, and black 18-inch wheels.

Driving the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses a front-wheel-drive (FWD) architecture. A departure for the company; however, it’s completed so nicely that it’s almost just a slight difference. The FWD model handles very well, and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) model improves. Please put it in Sport mode, and the auto zips off the line thanks to generous low-end torque and a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission.

The steering is best and responsive, and you have to push the CLA to its edge to sense the form of understeer. However, that limit’s higher than most drivers will explore, and the AWD model mitigates it extensively while adding all-weather peace of mind. All that good handling does come at the rate of ride quality, which has a challenging time absorbing small impacts such as expansion joints and the like.

Favorite Features

You can’t get more headroom in the 2018 CLA’s interior, but you can create the illusion with the big panoramic glass sunroof. When it’s open, there are near-convertible levels of sunshine and fresh air, while the retractable sunshade lets in lots of the former without the latter.

FUEL ECONOMY

While sipping gas isn’t constantly a priority for luxury-car buyers, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in the CLA receives up to 36 mpg in front-wheel-drive models. It’s the best economic system you’ll get in a Benz that isn’t powered by electrons.

Vehicle Details

Interior

We noted the tight rear seat, but considering the youthful demographic recommended by the CLA’s styling, we’re guessing it’s not a lot of concern. Instead, pay attention to the front, and you’ll be impressed by the basic quality of materials and assembly. Granted, a handful of plastic pieces feel out of place, at least until you have the charge tag in mind. The front seats offer good comfort with slightly-too-firm padding, and the smallness of the interior makes itself known with a center console that crowds your legs a bit. Still, the chunky steering wheel and 8-inch infotainment display won us over.

Exterior

Notable Standard Equipment

The base 2018 CLA comes decently equipped, with 14-way-power front seats with memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, Dynamic Select using modes, and an 8-inch infotainment display. The infotainment system includes Bluetooth, a USB input, and HD audio, all managed with the command dial on the center console. Safety elements include:

A rearview camera.
Rain-sensing wipers.
Eight airbags.
Active Brake Assist routinely brakes when the system detects a potential collision.
Mercedes’ Attention Assist drowsy-driver detector.

The CLA also comes with 5 years of the Mercedes-Benz Connect package, which lets you start the car remotely from your smartphone.

Notable Optional Equipment

Beyond all-wheel drive, there are many preferences for the 2018 CLA-Class, most bundled into packages. For example, an interior package bundles leather, stitched dash and door trim and multicolor ambient lighting. A Driver Assist package deal provides active cruise management and lane-keeping assistance. A multimedia package includes:

COMAND navigation.
Three years of navigation updates.
Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility.

If you want just Android Auto and CarPlay, it’s available as a separate package for $350. The Premium package includes blind-spot assist, keyless entry and heated front seats. Individual choices include a Harman/Kardon audio system, which we fully recommend.

Under the Hood

On paper, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder under the hood of the CLA250 doesn’t sound very impressive. It puts out 208 horsepower and routes it to the front or all 4 wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But the key is the turbocharged engine’s torque: It spins out 258 lb-ft from 1,250 rpm to 4,000 rpm, the meat of the powerband where you’ll spend most of the time. The upshot is that you get smooth and strong acceleration regardless of your gear. Additionally, it gets good gasoline economy, with front-wheel-drive models getting up to 36 mpg on the highway. The start/stop gadget helps and stays out of your way enough that you might not even automatically reach to shut it off every time you drive.