Mercedes-Benz CLA

Name: 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

EPA MPG: 27 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 27 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The CLA has a lot in common with the company's entry-level A-Class sedan. Even though the CLA is more expensive, the two cars share the same underlying mechanical design and look nearly identical from the front. Both cars also share an upscale pretense that our testers found is only skin deep.

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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

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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

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2023 Luxury small cars Ratings

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA

$26,000 - $39,825

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 Acura Integra

$23,275 - $25,775

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 Acura TLX

$26,150 - $39,150

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia

$20,300 - $57,450

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 Audi A3

$22,850 - $24,350

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 Audi A4

$23,275 - $35,550

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

$ NA

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 BMW 3 Series

$29,075 - $46,500

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid

$ NA

20 miles

25 mpg

Road test

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2023 Cadillac CT4

$25,725 - $52,200

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2023 Cadillac CT5

$27,250 - $88,850

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2023 Genesis G70

$26,725 - $34,325

EPA MPG 23 mpg

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$25,525 - $34,375

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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$37,550 - $56,875

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

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2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$29,700 - $61,450

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2023 Mini Cooper Clubman

$20,625 - $27,150

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2023 Volvo S60

$21,550 - $29,675

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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$30,600 - $40,025

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 turbo (221 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (302 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (382 hp)

7-speed sequential
8-speed sequential

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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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.