2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a sedan that's styled to look like a coupe and priced to attract new buyers to the brand. As an entry-level luxury sedan, it offers sleek looks and a big three-pointed star on the nose without quite the typical hit to the pocketbook associated with the German automaker. But when it was introduced in 2014, we weren't big fans of the CLA. The stiff seats and poor ride quality, along with the limited cabin space, made it hard to love. But it's been completely redesigned for 2020. It's now more practical and modern, and it's poised to become one of our favorite vehicles in the class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$160/mo  for CLA-Class CLA 250

　　CLA-Class CLA 250

　　CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $36,650 MSRPCLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $38,650 MSRPAMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $46,900 MSRPAMG CLA 45 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $54,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Underneath this new 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA are bones that are shared with the new, even more entry-level A-Class. The CLA also gets the same brilliant infotainment interface and its generally high standard of build quality. It also gains some headroom in the rear seat. The trunk is marginally smaller, but that's the price you pay for sleek styling. What's more, the CLA now offers two high-performance trims (the AMG CLA 35 and the AMG CLA 45) to complement the well-equipped base model. And for buyers who want to customize their car, Mercedes has a long list of available options to choose from.

　　With this long list of improvements, this new 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA stands a much better chance against rivals from BMW and Audi. If you're shopping entry-level luxury sedans, the CLA should be one of your top considerations.

　　

Which CLA-Class does zzdcar recommend?

With the abundant standard equipment on the base CLA 250 and the long list of available options, we think it's a smart choice. It comes standard with the class-leading MBUX infotainment system and safety features, including forward collision mitigation, but you can tack on all sorts of AMG-styled exterior options and upgrades such as navigation or a surround-view camera system.

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan is offered in three trim levels: CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45. The base CLA 250 is powered by turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque) and paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It comes standard with front-wheel drive but is available with all-wheel drive (4Matic). The AMG CLA 35 also uses a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (302 hp and 295 lb-ft) and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch as well. The CLA 45 gets the biggest power bump to its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (382 hp and 354 lb-ft), which is connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive is standard with the CLA 45.

　　Standard feature highlights for the CLA 250 include dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery (MB-Tex), side-by-side 7-inch infotainment screens, the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience interface (also known as MBUX), Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and forward collision mitigation.

　　Upgrade to the AMG CLA 35 and you'll get a higher-horsepower engine, a sport suspension, upgraded brakes, and a sport steering wheel. The AMG CLA 45 gets even more power, keyless entry and ignition, auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, and blind-spot monitoring.

　　Several option packages are available depending on trim level. They add items such as leather upholstery, upgraded dash and door trim, a navigation system, heated and ventilated seats, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and a Burmester sound system.

　　

2020 CLA-Class Highlights

Type: AMG CLA 45AMG CLA 35SedanSedan

　　Trim: CLA 250CLA 250 4MATICAMG CLA 35AMG CLA 45CLA 250

　　

Base MSRP	$36,650
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$160/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles