2017 Mercedes CLA Review
Car Tested: 2017 Mercedes CLA 200; Road Test No. 792
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 39.89 – 46.60 lakhs
The Mercedes CLA has impressive engines & very good driving characteristics
The Mercedes CLA is an entry-level sedan offered by the Stuttgart-based automaker. The CLA was first launched a couple of years back and it is based on the A-Class. The sedan is one of the best looking cars out there in the market and now the automaker has given it a minor update as part of a mid-life facelift.
Motor Quest: The Mercedes CLA is known to be one of the most aerodynamic cars. The vehicle has sporty dynamics and while it isn’t targeted towards families or people looking for rear seat space, the CLA makes for a smart choice for the millennials.
There are minute changes to the exteriors
Exteriors – On the outside, the 2017 Mercedes CLA facelift comes with minor changes which no layman will be able to identify. Both the bumpers get a slight tweak in design. The front bumper gets an aluminium-finish strip at the bottom. The bumpers now carry a look that is inspired by the AMG version of the CLA. The side profile remains unchanged and we’re glad Mercedes didn’t make changes to the design of an already beautiful car. Look closely and you’ll notice revised LED headlamps with different detailing than the outgoing model. The tail lamps also get a redesigned look. With this facelift, Mercedes has kept the changes subtle.
The dashboard has got some retro design elements from the 60s
Interiors – Things are similar on the inside. The dashboard carries the familiar look which is a blend of sportiness and functionality. The front seats get slightly stiff cushioning but they are extremely supportive. The seat upholstery gets a new design and the COMAND system now gets a new firmware and an 8-inch screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 3-spoke steering wheel comes with silver inserts and gets paddle shifters and audio/phone controls. At the rear, leg room is a bit limited but the seats are comfortable. Shoulder space is good if there are two passengers sitting but things get a bit tight with three people on board. Due to the sloping roofline, headroom gets slightly affected.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine makes the CLA a breeze to drive
Performance – The 2017 Mercedes CLA gets the same 2.0-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel engines. The variant we tested had the petrol engine. The powerplant unleashes 183 PS of power along with 300 Nm of torque. Mated to the engine is the same 7G-TRONIC gearbox that we’ve been seeing since quite a while on various Mercs. The petrol CLA has a top speed of 235 km/hr while 0-100 km/hr comes up at a notch below 8 seconds. The diesel engine is the familiar unit we’ve seen on some other Mercedes cars and we’ve always liked the oil-burner.
Power delivery is smooth and the engine has enough grunt
The engine is free-revving & sounds really nice too; transmission is quick
The petrol engine is super refined. Driveability in the city is stress-free and low-end performance is pretty good. Things get even better post 1500 RPM when the power surge starts to increase. Power delivery feels smooth all the way up to 6000 RPM without the CLA losing its beat. The mid-range is punchy and there is some steam left even at higher RPMs. At high speeds, the gearbox does a great job but it feels a bit confused at city speeds. Also, it has a tendency to upshift very early and the solution to this is to switch from Eco/Comfort to Sport. Sport mode lets you explore the full potential of the car and the exhaust sounds sweet near the redline.
The compact and dynamic CLA is super engaging to drive
Driving Dynamics – The suspension can tackle most craters on our roads without taking a beating but the ride is a bit on the stiffer side. The ground clearance of 160 mm is decent enough but you might have to tackle some nasty speed breakers sideways. The steering is light at low speeds. Once the speeds increase, you can feel it weighing up. However, we would have liked the feedback to be slightly better. A trait common with Mercs, the brakes are brilliant and the CLA does no drama on hard braking. It is also very aerodynamic and this stability during high-speed straight line runs and aggressive cornering is splendid.
The Mercedes CLA facelift gets some lively changes over its predecessor
Verdict – The Mercedes CLA gets you a ticket to the high flyers club and it is targeted towards the younger generation, aka the millionaires. The car doesn’t have any major flaws. The looks are unbeatable and it is offered with some attractive colours too, thus guaranteeing you a lot of attention wherever you go, with the tri-star logo giving a good sense of self-pride. The changes aren’t major but they make sure that the Mercedes CLA continues to appeal and doesn’t feel outdated at all.
The red shade looks cool, though grey is my personal favourite
What’s Cool
* Looks very beautiful, can stare at it for hours
* Cabin feels special, good equipment list
* The petrol engine has punchy performance
* Feels very dynamic to drive and is a fun sedan
What’s Not So Cool
* Misses out on features like touch0screen
* Space at the rear is limited
Alternatives: Audi A3
The Mercedes CLA competes with the Audi A3
Further Reading –
Mercedes CLA Review
Mercedes CLA vs Audi A3