| Pros | Cons | ||
| ✓ Pleasant styling | ☓ The 8-speed dual-clutch can be annoying in everyday driving | ||
| ✓ Well-sorted ride | ☓ Rear seat space is severely limited | ||
| ✓ Solid performance and handling chops | ☓ With options, our tester is over $60K… | ||
| ✓ You can get it at an affordable price…if you watch the options | |||
Overview: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA brings a host of tweaks, but is it the best small coupe to buy?
It’s been in its second generation for a few years now, but the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 we have here gets a revamp to keep it fresh against the competition. Since we haven’t had an A-Class option for the past few years, the CLA once again represents the jumping-off point into Mercedes-Benz ownership if you’re not leaning toward a crossover, so the changes mostly focus on making it more appealing to the young folks looking toward the three-pointed star for the premium car experience.
At its heart, the tweaked CLA gets a new grille, as well as an updated look at the rear with a diffuser. Two new color options are available, Hyper Blue and Starling Blue (which we have here), and Mercedes gave its entry-level four-door coupe a new steering wheel like its larger, more expensive siblings. The MBUX infotainment system gets an updated look with a standard 10.25-inch display, again to keep the CLA in line with its siblings, while you also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Interior trim elements are a bit different than before, while the optional Burmester sound system gets Dolby Atmos baked into its software.
One of the most significant changes for the updated CLA250 is to its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Like the rest of Mercedes’ lineup, this model includes a mild-hybrid setup by way of a belt-driven starter-generator, which briefly adds an additional 13 horsepower to the engine’s standard 221-horsepower output, and allows the engine to switch off while coasting to a stop to save fuel.
At $44,350 to start including a $1,150 destination fee, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is technically the second most affordable model in the brand’s lineup after the GLA. The one we tested, with 4Matic all-wheel drive, comes in $2,000 to start. But is this entry-level model worth the investment to buy new?
Styling and Comfort: The CLA is one of the better looking small cars around
While the CLA retains the same fundamental underpinnings as its conventional sedan sibling, there’s a simple reason this car is here and the A-Class is not. Much of this car’s pitch boils down to styling, and to my mind, Mercedes has done a pretty good job of making the CLA a stylish proposition over both its generations. The 2024 model year revamp doesn’t tamper with the formula too much, and that’s no bad thing. If you’re aiming for a car that looks classy and expensive, then this updated CLA250 has you covered. The Acura Integra comes pretty close on the aesthetic front, though the Mercedes badge carries a lot of weight that will likely continue to tip buyers in this direction, should they have around $50,000 to drop on a premium four-door car.
Inside, the front row of the CLA looks like a proper Mercedes. You get a digital instrument cluster as well as the MBUX infotainment display, as well as the brand’s new steering wheel with dual spokes for all the controls. Unlike certain other automakers, Mercedes-Benz is sticking with capacitive buttons on its steering wheels, for better or worse. Fortunately, they aren’t too frustrating to use here.
The AMG-style, flat bottom steering wheel does not come as standard fare on the CLA250. Instead, you have to get the $3,150 AMG Night Package to get that, while the package also adds bespoke 18-inch wheels, gloss black exterior trim elements, sport seats, brushed stainless steel pedals and a “sport brake system”. Like the brand’s other cars, the package basically makes your car look more like the AMG version without actually packaging the extra grunt. And if you think the package’s price is a bit steep, well…the story hardly stops there (I’ll get into more detail on options in a moment).
Standard equipment on the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 includes wireless smartphone charging, high-beam assist, LED lighting all around, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot assist.
Performance: Enough punch for most drivers and decent fuel economy, too
For your $44,350, the latest CLA250 packs 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with occasional boosts of 13 horsepower on take-off thanks to the mild hybrid system. Power routes its way to the front wheels by default, through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, like the GLA crossover. 4Matic all-wheel drive is an option I’d strongly recommend not only for winter climates, but also for resale value if you can swing the extra $2,000. As far as options are concerned, that’s probably a smart investment, though if you live somewhere without major weather concerns, you can save a bit and just go with the base FWD model.
Naturally, we’re not talking about the AMG versions of the CLA here, but this car still packs enough punch to get up to speed without any drama. Mercedes quotes the base CLA’s 0-60 time at 6.3 seconds, which I’d consider perfectly adequate by today’s standards. If you do want a bit more shove, you can opt for the AMG CLA35 with 302 horsepower or the CLA45 with 382 horsepower, but you’ll spend at least $10,000 to $13,000 more for the privilege.
One gripe I do have is with that dual-clutch transmission.
It’s appropriately snappy under hard acceleration, but actually getting to that point takes a moment (even in Sport mode), and you face the usual DCT drawbacks when you just try to drive the car normally. The car is jerky trying to reverse or creep forward at slow speeds, to the point where I found parking and pulling out of a spot constantly annoying. These transmissions make some sense if you’re always on it, but for anything else…can I just have a normal torque converter automatic, please?
Even with the “base” powertrain, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is a fun car to toss around. Even on Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 winter tires, the car never lost its composure in spirited cornering. Body roll is minimal and the steering is well-weighted, and brake feel is also surprisingly well balanced. It’s still firm, but it’s not insanely touchy like some of the more hardcore AMG models can be — this CLA has a more linear feel, which does make it more pleasant to live with, transmission complaints notwithstanding.
Fuel economy is a strong suit for the CLA, as well. Official EPA ratings peg the CLA250 at 26 City / 36 Highway / 30 Combined mpg for the front-wheel drive model. The 4Matic should lose about 1-2 mpg, though with careful driving you can get it into the 30s. So, you don’t have the power of the AMG models…but at least you’ll get better than low-to-mid-20s here.
Verdict: I’d consider the 2024 CLA250…as long as you watch it with the options
After a few days driving it around, I do indeed like the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. But would I recommend going for this “entry-level” model if you’re in the market? Eh…that’s a more nuanced question to answer.
Sure, this car starts in the mid-$40,000 range. But — and it’s an expensive but — options can quickly balloon this car’s price well past $50,000 and even $60,000. For a compact four-door coupe with a base powertrain. Adding the $3,900 Pinnacle trim (which adds active LED headlights, a head-up display, the surround-view camera system and MBUX interior assistant) and the $3,150 AMG Night Package alone increase this car’s price by more than 15%.
By the time you add the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package, the $620 Burmester sound system, $300 for Traffic Sign Assist, $1,450 for the gray and black leather interior, $900 for 19-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels, $325 for natural grain trim and $450 for the Winter Package with heated front seats and windshield washers, our as-tested price is more like $60,415.
At that asking price, our thoughts in the TFL office wandered toward the Acura TLX Type S. For about the same amount of money, you get a larger, faster and superb-handling car that also has an elegant style, if not that all-important Mercedes badge.
If you are looking to stay in the Mercedes-Benz stable, I’ve said the C300 sedan is really all the Mercedes you need…and you can get a well-equipped Pinnacle model for virtually the same money, give or take a few options. So, the CLA makes the most sense if you don’t go too heavy on the options.
Another option to consider, as well: If you’re strictly going for style (and you do give up practicality for style’s sake with the CLA), you may also want to think about the CLE-Class, which is a proper two-door coupe. We haven’t driven the new CLE just yet, but if you’re a single person who just wants a stylish ride, that may be your best path.
Check out Nathan and Roman’s thoughts on the new CLA below:
