If you like the idea of a small Mercedes but don’t want a hatchback or saloon, then the Mercedes-Benz CLA is sure to grab your attention. Offered in 2 striking body styles, the CLA backs up its arresting looks with the high quality, impressive tech and enjoyable driving experience that defines Mercedes-Benz cars.
The compromise in opting for a CLA Coupe or Shooting Brake over the more conventional A-Class is in how much space you get inside. All models offer plenty of room for the driver and front passenger, but passengers in the rear will have to make do with cosier accommodations.
The boot space offers up to 460 litres of luggage space (390 in the hybrid). The Shooting Brake offers even more, at 505 litres (445 for the hybrid). Those figures are better than any A-Class, as well as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
The most efficient petrol engines are the base 1.3-litre turbocharged offerings – both return around 46mpg. The 2.0-litre petrol engines are offered in 224, 306 and 421hp, and their consumption figures are 41.6, 34.9 and 32.2mpg respectively. The slightly heavier Shooting Brake models consume around 1mpg more across the board.
The diesel posts an impressive 56.5mpg – but first prize goes to the plug-in hybrid, which manages 282.5mpg. As ever with efficiency figures, real-world results will depend heavily on how much of your regular commute plays to the strengths of the hybrid system. Short trips where you make the most of the 44-mile electric range will yield the best returns. Charging the battery from a standard wall socket will take 5-and-a-half hours. A wallbox lowers that time to slightly less than 2 hours.
Mercedes CLA Models Available To Lease
Trim Levels
Mercedes-Benz CLA Vs Competitors
German rivals for the CLA come in the form of the sporty BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and, to a lesser extent, the Audi A3 Saloon. Both are accomplished but fall short of providing a serious challenge.
Stronger competition is found closer to home from the A-Class Hatchback and Saloon. Both offer the same range of engines and options but with more space for rear passengers. Many still prefer the CLA thanks to its stunning good looks, above-average boot space and a driving experience that belies its entry-level status in the Mercedes range.
Mercedes isn’t in the business of making unreliable vehicles and the CLA has proven to be a reliable vehicle so far. However, it’s too new to predict whether it will continue to be trouble-free. To set your mind at ease, all Mercedes-Benz cars are offered with a 3-year, unlimited-mileage warranty as standard.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe offers 460 litres of boot space while the Shooting Brake is even more spacious at 505 litres. With its rear seats lowered you get 1370 litres in total. These figures are better than most rivals. The plug-in hybrids lose around 50 litres on these quoted figures, due to the packaging requirements of the battery pack.
There are 8 trims in total. All CLA models come standard with an AMG Line package – the trims are differentiated by engine options and each model can be equipped further with additional packages.
Yes, all models come with parking sensors and a reversing camera system.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA offers plenty of space up front and in the boot, but most rivals have more space in the rear – especially if you need to seat 3.
It really comes down to its good looks – and the fact it’s a Mercedes. As with all Mercedes cars, the CLA has a great interior, an impressive engine range and sporty driving dynamics – and that’s what makes it so hard to hand back once the lease is over. A problem easily solved by just leasing another one.
Leasing a Mercedes-Benz CLA is hassle free with Vanarama. We help you find the perfect vehicle at the very best price. It’s affordable, simple and you’re not left with a depreciating vehicle at the end of your contract. Upgrade your car with one of our car leasing deals today.
Mercedes leasing lets you drive a brand-new car for less, making fixed monthly payments for 2-5 years. After that, when your deal ends, you return the car. There’s no depreciation costs or balloon payment to worry about because you’re essentially ‘renting’ the car.
All you need to do is choose your Mercedes-Benz CLA lease model, your annual mileage, upfront payment and contract length. Once your contract’s finalised, we’ll deliver the car for free – it couldn’t be simpler.
The CLA may be pitched as an entry-level Mercedes, but you wouldn’t know from looking at it. It’s available as a 4-door Coupe or 5-door Shooting Brake (estate) – and it really stands out from rivals thanks to its stylish good looks. Its talents are more than skin deep, though, with an impressive engine range and plenty of impressive tech on offer.
Mercedes’ latest cabin layout has 2 impressive digital displays which immediately grab your attention. Higher trims get larger 10.25-inch digital dials and a very cool augmented reality satnav display, but even the standard system comes packed with features. The fit and finish of the rest of the interior is to a typically high standard, as you’d expect from Mercedes, with brushed aluminium trim, leather surfaces and soft-touch plastics everywhere.
And if you want to really enhance the feeling inside the car, opt for the huge panoramic glass roof and customisable LED lighting, which can be had in up to 64 colours on higher specs. Standard leather seats and a Nappa leather-covered steering wheel all add to a feeling that you’re sitting in a shrunken down S-Class.
Both the CLA Coupe and Shooting Brake are based on the A-Class Hatchback and A-Class Saloon, but subtle changes have been made to the layout and suspension for sportier driving. All versions are sharp and rewarding to drive, both in town and on the motorway.
The petrol engines range in power output from 136- (adequate) to 421hp (ridiculously powerful) – with the 224hp CLA 250 offering a balanced middle ground. The sole 190hp diesel offering is strong and smooth in its power delivery, making it a good option for long distances. There is also a plug-in hybrid in the range, which is the one to go for if your commute involves regular short trips into town.
All models use 7- or 8-speed automatic transmissions and send their power to the front wheels – except for the manic CLA 35 and CLA 45, which have a 4-wheel-drive set-up for more traction. These make a lot more power, so need that extra grip to use it.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe
The CLA Coupe is a 4-door, 5-seater coupe. The boot is spacious but has a high load lip and a narrow opening. It can be had in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid varieties. All are automatics and front-wheel drive, except for the CLA 35 and CLA 45, which are all-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
The Shooting Brake is a 5-door, 5-seat estate with a heavily sloping rear roofline. It offers more boot space than the Coupe and is easier to load. It is available with the same engine and drivetrain combinations as the Coupe.
High Performance Models
The CLA 35 produces 306hp and is capable of hitting 62mph in only 4.9 seconds. If you have a serious need for speed, then the CLA 45 is a 421hp sports car which can complete the same acceleration benchmark in just 4.0 seconds. That’s as quick as some far pricier Mercedes AMG models.
CLA 180 AMG Line
CLA 200 AMG Line
CLA 250 AMG Line
CLA 220d AMG Line
CLA 250e AMG Line (plug-in hybrid)
CLA 35 4MATIC
CLA 45 4MATIC
CLA 45 4MATIC+
The base CLA 180 AMG Line offers 18-inch AMG wheels, sports seats, a Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, leather seats, and a fully digital driver display and infotainment system.
Trim levels here predominantly refer to the powertrains, with each getting a few additional standard features as you rise up the list.
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