Mercedes-Benz CLA

The fully redesigned CLA compact sedan will be offered in both electric and hybrid versions. The all-electric variant comes in either rear- or all-wheel drive and promises a driving range close to 350 miles and ultra-fast charging from an 85-kWh battery. The rear-drive CLA 250+ has a 268-hp electric motor, while the CLA 350 4Matic makes 349 horsepower and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, according to the automaker. The hybrid version will go on sale later. It pairs a 1.5-liter gas engine with a battery and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission integrated with an electric motor. Every CLA will get cloud-based infotainment features and the ability to download over-the-air software updates, including ones that can upgrade active safety and driver assistance technology. A full-width “Superscreen” is optional and offers a touchscreen for the front passenger.

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.

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.