Used Mercedes-Benz CLA cars

The style of the car

The CLA is a four-door saloon with coupe looks but a more practical layout. With its steeply sloping roofline and frameless doors, it’s a distinctive looking car. The AMG-Line models add sporty visual touches for even more eye-catching appeal. The Mercedes-Benz AMG A45 model packs sportscar performance.

How it drives

Mercedes-Benz gave the CLA firmer suspension for a more sporty and fun drive. You sit low in the car and the steering is precise which improves the driving experience. There’s a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, with most using a smooth automatic gearbox. Front-wheel drive is standard, but there are also four-wheel drive versions for more grip.

The interior

With its lower roofline the four-door and four-seat Mercedes-Benz CLA has less headroom than the hatchback A-Class, but there’s a bigger boot with the rear seats in place. Interior quality is high as the CLA features the same upmarket look and feel as all Mercedes-Benz models. There’s a neat tablet-style infotainment screen and climate control, plus it features the brand’s excellent artificial leather seat trim.

Running costs and reliability

Almost all of the petrol and diesel engines offer good fuel economy, while tax bills are similar to rivals. It’s a premium car, but it does hold its value better than mainstream models. Mercedes-Benz also has a range of pre-paid service plans to help keep maintenance costs down. As the CLA shares mechanical components with the A-Class hatchback, it promises to be a dependable choice. The CLA was awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP.

How it compares with similar cars

The CLA is the saloon version of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback with which it shares its engines, structure and interior. With its mix of coupe and four-door design, it falls between the sensible Audi A3 saloon and the two-door only BMW 2 Series. The CLA is very much the stylish choice, while its beautifully finished and well equipped interior looks and feels great.