Mercedes-Benz CLA

Name: 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

CR MPG:

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

The CLA is among Mercedes' most affordable models, but its upscale pretense is only superficial, our testers found.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mercedes-Benz CLA

vs. Similar Cars

Acura Integra

Acura TLX

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Audi A3

Audi A4

See All Models Predicted Reliability

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

This car is new and detailed owner satisfaction will be available at a later date.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Luxury small cars Ratings

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA

$42,750 - $67,550

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Acura Integra

$33,400 - $53,400

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Acura TLX

$45,400 - $58,050

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia

$43,995 - $51,995

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Audi A3

$40,100 - $52,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Audi A4

$42,000 - $44,100

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

In Test

2025 Audi A5

$46,300 - $62,700

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

$39,600 - $49,500

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW 3 Series

$47,500 - $87,700

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Cadillac CT4

$36,000 - $63,600

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Cadillac CT5

$49,200 - $98,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Genesis G70

$43,450 - $58,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus IS

$45,500 - $49,950

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$49,650 - $88,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Volvo S60

$42,600 - $51,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Volvo V60

$52,300 - $57,600

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Luxury small cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 turbo (221 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (416 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (302 hp)

8-speed sequential

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion 4 years/50,000 miles
Roadside Aid 4 years/50,000 miles
Maintenance NA

See All Ratings & Specs

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.