We give the CLA-Class an 8 for features, thanks to generous standard features, a wealth of options, and its new infotainment system.
The 2020 Mercedes CLA250 costs $37,645, or $39,645 with all-wheel drive. In either car, standard equipment includes power features, snug-fitting power front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, ambient lighting, a panoramic roof, power features, keyless ignition, Bluetooth, start/stop, drive modes, five USB-C ports, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and fold-down rear seats.
The base CLA250 includes a pair of 7.0-inch screens in front of the driver. One serves as a configurable instrument cluster while the other is a touchscreen for the automaker’s MBUX infotainment software that responds to “Hey Mercedes” like a smart speaker or a smartphone. With an optional data package, MBUX connects to the Internet to help users find nearby points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility come standard.
Dual 10.3-inch screens under a single glass pane are optional for an even snazzier look inside. Regardless of screen size, the displays hover tablet-like above a trio of big, round climate vents and secondary climate control toggles. A touchpad in the center console serves as the primary controller for the MBUX system, although it’s also gesture control-capable.
Other options include AMG Line and Night styling packages, a light-up star logo, winter tires and 17-inch wheels, 19-inch wheels, wood trim, leather upholstery, navigation, a head-up display, Burmester sound, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive dampers. With most of the safety options and good sound and touchscreen displays, we come to a recommended price of $45,685—a long way from the CLA’s early days of sub-$30,000 prices.
Ante up to the $47,895 CLA35 and it’s easy to soar to more than $65,000 with those options. Standard gear includes wide-screen infotainment, an AMG sport suspension, red stitching and interior trim, a flat-bottom steering wheel, shift paddles cast in steel, and AMG’s Track Pace interface, which logs in metrics from acceleration to top speed to G-forces and lap times, all through the CLA35 AMG’s infotainment system.
The $55,795 CLA45 has a breathtaking price for a small car but also breathtaking performance. It gets 19-inch wheels, twin 10.3-inch screens, all the performance hardware and sport buckets.
All CLA-Class cars are covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.
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