2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35

　　

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　The second-most affordable car in the Mercedes lineup, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small four-door sedan with a sleek coupe-style look. A fastback roofline signals sporty intentions, and with more than 400 horsepower, the CLA can indeed get sporty. Inside, the CLA delivers the features, tech and classy feel that buyers expect from Mercedes. A budget Benz, this is not. For 2024, the CLA does some catching up, adding new standard features and more power to boost its appeal alongside capable rivals. The vibrant new Hyper Blue color is also a welcome splash in an otherwise monochromatic palette.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) 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

　　$192/mo  for CLA-Class AMG CLA 35

　　CLA-Class AMG CLA 35

　　AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) (Most Popular) - $54,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Closing the gap

The race for supremacy in a tight group of small sport sedans finds the (mostly) European brands often leap-frogging one another with new designs and features. Four years after substantial second-generation improvements, the CLA shows new style up front (mesh grille, subtle lower fascia tweaks) with a new rear diffuser out back. But power and feature upgrades really vault the CLA back into the lead. A new electric motor helps the turbo engine generate more power: an extra 13 horsepower in the CLA 250 base trim. The top-trim AMG CLA 45 S also gets a power bump this year, up by 34 hp. The CLA's larger displays, wireless smartphone charging and connections, and additional driver aids also heighten its appeal for 2024.

　　

Competitors to consider

Not surprisingly, Mercedes' European rivals have an answer for the CLA. The Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe both offer joyous, responsive performance and similar features. Despite its smaller size, the BMW offers roughly the same roominess and a larger trunk. The Volvo S60 is slightly longer, roomier and more powerful, with a timeless look, not unlike the A3. The aging Lexus IS 300 still promises fun rear-wheel-drive exploits, while the Tesla Model 3 makes a compelling case to go all-electric.

　　

Which CLA-Class does zzdcar recommend?

The AMG models are a blast to drive, and if you enjoy stomping the gas and turning fast corners, they're worth consideration. We'd suggest the CLA 35 because its 302-hp engine is plenty fast and the smaller wheels improve ride quality compared to the CLA 45. But if you just want an effective balance of snappy performance and Mercedes class, we like the CLA 250. Plentiful standard features make even a base-level CLA 250 a compelling deal, but dozens of bundled and stand-alone options allow you to equip the car to taste. The Driver Assistance package is a worthy addition for basic self-driving-ish features (a boon for rush-hour commuters). We'd also seriously consider the upgraded Burmester surround-sound system.

　　

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA is offered in three trim levels: CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45 S. All three come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at increasing power levels. The CLA 250 is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (Mercedes' 4Matic), while the more powerful and performance-tuned AMG versions come standard with all-wheel drive.

　　CLA 250

　　The CLA 250 comes equipped with standard features including:

　　Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission LED headlights 18-inch wheels Panoramic sunroof Heated side mirrors Synthetic leather upholstery Heated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control               Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters Customizable ambient cabin lightingStandard technology features and advanced driver aids include:

　　Remote engine start via smartphone app 10.25-inch digital instrument display 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system display Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Voice assistant Five USB-C ports Wireless smartphone charger Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the CLA and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot warning (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Safe exit assist (can prevent passengers from opening a door into traffic, cyclists or pedestrians approaching from behind) Automatic high beamsAMG CLA 35

　　Equipped for sportier driving, the AMG CLA 35 adds:

　　High-output turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (302 hp, 295 lb-ft) Performance-tuned eight-speed transmission All-wheel drive Sport exhaust system 18-inch AMG design wheels Sport-tuned suspension Upgraded brakes Sportier body styling Burmester surround-sound systemAMG CLA 45 S

　　Builds on the AMG CLA 35 with:

　　Higher-output turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (416 hp, 369 lb-ft) 19-inch wheels Sport-tuned all-wheel-drive systemNumerous option packages are available for the CLA. For the CLA 250, they include:

　　AMG Night package AMG body styling 18-inch wheels with black accents Gloss black exterior trim Diamond-pattern grille Sport seats with synthetic suede trim Sport steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters Exclusive package Navigation system with augmented video overlay Upgraded audio system Illuminated doorsills Pinnacle package Exclusive package features Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Head-up display Infotainment gesture control Driver Assistance package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CLA and the car in front, can also react to traffic signs and set speed) Lane change assistance (when cruise control is on, can automatically change lanes after driver activates turn signal for several seconds) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) The CLA 35 and CLA 45 can also add the following packages:

　　AMG Aerodynamics package Black performance-oriented body kit AMG Night Package Plus AMG Night package plus black badges and dark-tinted grille AMG Performance Seat/Performance Seat Advanced package AMG multi-contour heated front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support Ventilated front seats (Performance Seat Advanced)  The CLA is available with stand-alone options, such as:

　　Burmester surround-sound system Adaptive suspension AMG-tuned electronically adjustable sport suspension Nappa leather-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel (AMG models only) Heated steering wheel Leather upholstery Wood interior trim Ultra high-performance Pirelli tires

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