Mercedes-Benz CLA

Name: 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

EPA MPG: 30 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 30 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 10 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 10 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 10 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 10 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

You can feel the desire when Janis Joplin pleads, "Oh, Lord, won't you buy me a Mer-ce-des-BENZ?" But if the Mercedes had been the entry-level CLA four-door coupe, she might have reconsidered. The CLA looks like the real thing, with the proud three-pointed star on the grille and the sexy styling of the posh and costly CLS. But that's where the resemblance ends. Once you're behind the wheel, the CLA just doesn't deliver the driving experience that its image leads you to expect.

2017 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

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Mercedes-Benz CLA

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

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2017 Luxury small cars Ratings

2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA

$8,225 - $13,875

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Acura ILX

$10,900 - $12,000

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Acura TLX

$12,350 - $15,250

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia

$7,725 - $20,725

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Audi A3

$8,825 - $18,025

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Audi A4

$9,550 - $13,775

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 BMW 3 Series

$8,200 - $17,500

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Buick Regal

$6,125 - $13,775

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2017 Buick Verano

$5,975 - $7,275

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2017 Cadillac ATS

$7,575 - $27,950

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2017 Infiniti Q50

$7,575 - $14,900

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2017 Jaguar XE

$3,825 - $11,575

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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$14,650

EPA MPG 42 mpg

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$16,750 - $19,900

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$9,400 - $26,575

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2017 Mini Cooper Clubman

$7,125 - $13,425

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2017 Volvo S60

$7,500 - $14,125

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 turbo (208 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (375 hp)

7-speed sequential
7-speed automatic

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Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The Mercedes-Benz CLA fits above the A-Class and below the C-Class in Mercedes' sedan lineup. It's essentially a more stylish version of the A-Class, but it uses a more powerful 221-hp version of the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Like the A220, it has a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration feels a bit hesitant in around-town driving, but there's decent power. Handling is quite nimble, but the ride is overly stiff. The interior is nicely finished and the front seats are supportive, but the rear seat is extremely cramped and hard to access. We found infotainment system quite tricky to use. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are standard. Blind spot warning became standard starting in 2021. A fully redesigned 2026 CLA compact sedan will be offered in both electric and hybrid versions. The turbocharged four-cylinder from the previous generation will be sold at the same time.

2014-2019

2014 Redesign Year

The sleek and compact CLA250 is Mercedes' entry-level, front-drive, compact, four-door coupe. It has a nicely-finished cabin and fuel economy of 28 mpg is respectable. But the driving experience falls well short of a typical Mercedes. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed automatic lack refinement. It's quick, but power delivery is uneven. While fairly agile, the car rides stiffly. The cabin is noisy and cramped, especially in the rear, the view out is seriously impaired, and access is difficult both front and rear. Standard features include power front seats with memory, Bluetooth, forward-collision warning and a folding rear seat. The optional blind-spot monitoring system is an easy choice, as is the backup camera. All-wheel drive is also optional. The high-performance, 355-hp CLA45 tops the range. The 2016 models got an upgraded infotainment system with a larger standard screen and media interface capability,as well as standard dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless start.