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2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

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Mercedes-Benz
Model
CLA-Class
Year
2018
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Used Car Price Range
$15,990 - $22,998
$15,990 $22,998
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2018 Base CLA 250 Coupe 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $32,700
2018 Base CLA 250 Coupe 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MATIC Price:   -  From $34,700
2018 Base AMG CLA 45 Coupe 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MATIC Price:   -  From $50,400
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

Look no further than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class for a compact, attainable luxury coupe-like sedan. It is the only front-wheel drive model Mercedes-Benz sells in North America, with all-wheel drive and performance versions available. Beyond the base model, prices rise quickly for this sporty luxury sedan.

What's New for 2018

Light refreshing accompanies the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. New headlights, bumpers, trim and tail lights enhance the exterior. Inside, a rearview camera is standard. Other updates cover the infotainment screen and the available finishes.

Two new special edition packages roll out. An Ice Edition Package, limited to just 400 units, brings in such features as special exterior paint, AMG trim, AMG wheels, and high-performance headlamps. An AMG Performance Studio Package is available on the AMG CLA 45 line only, adding such features as AMG stripes, yellow accents, special wheels, and AMG Performance Seats.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz offers the CLA-Class as either the humble CLA250 or the fire-breathing CLA45 AMG. Seating is for five, but there's limited leg and headroom, the latter owing to the sloping roofline.

The 2018 CLA250 has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine generating 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, this model returns an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. 4Matic all-wheel drive is an available option.

The all-wheel drive CLA45 AMG is the capstone model for the CLA-Class, powered by a handcrafted 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine packing 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. This engine is also paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, resulting in an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 highway. On the flip-side, the CLA45 AMG can hit 60 miles per hour in a neck-snapping 4.1 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

CLA250

The standard CLA250 costs $33,695 (including a $995 destination charge). Add $2,000 for all-wheel drive. This model comes equipped with automatic headlamps, daytime running lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Sport front seats and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat dressed in imitation leather mark the interior.

Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, a power tilt and slide panoramic sunroof, 12-color ambient lighting, and a Harmon Kardon audio system. You’ll also find an eight-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio, two USB ports, an SD card reader, and Garmin navigation.

Package options are many and include an AMG Line Exterior Package ($2,400) with AMG body styling, 18-inch AMG wheels, and perforated front brakes with painted calipers. A $2,700 Night Package builds on the AMG pack, adding black accents. The AMG Line Package ($4,000) adds AMG body styling, special wheels, and accents. A $1,650 Interior Package brings in leather upholstery and trim.

Customers can choose a Premium Package ($1,800), adding must-haves like blind spot assist, heated front seats and satellite radio. A $2,300 Multimedia Package upgrades to COMAND navigation and smartphone integration, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A $1,500 Driver Assistance Package brings in such features as adaptive cruise control with emergency braking and lane keeping assist. Individual options include adaptable suspension ($850), parking pilot ($970), blind spot assist ($550), a rear spoiler ($300), and heated front seats ($580).

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

CLA45 AMG

The performance-focused AMG CLA 45 costs $51,395 (including destination). This model comes with an AMG body kit, including a larger front air dam and splitter, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser on the angrier rear fascia. Also included is the AMG Night Package's gloss black trim.

Other upgrades include LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and LED tail lamps. This model also has a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, an AMG drive mode select system, performance-oriented all-wheel drive with a torque-vectoring stability control system, a stiffer suspension, a sport exhaust system, and high-performance brakes.

Package upgrades include a $4,000 AMG Performance Studio Package adding new styling touches inside and out, including special wheels. A $1,650 Interior or “Red Cut” Package includes leather upholstery. An AMG Dinamica Interior Package ($850) offers a performance steering wheel and black trim. Special Recaro seats are a $2,250 option (and one we wouldn't recommend unless you're on the petite side). The $1,800 Premium Package brings in blind spot assist, heated front seats, and satellite radio. A $2,300 Multimedia Package adds COMAND navigation and smartphone integration. You’ll also find a Driver Assistance Package ($1,500) and an AMG Dynamic Plus Package ($2,800) with a sport suspension, limited-slip front differential, a raised top speed, and race mode.

CarsDirect Tip

The base model offers an attainable price point and logical introduction to the Mercedes-Benz brand. If performance is not a priority, stay with front-wheel drive and choose the Premium, Multimedia, and Driver Assist packages, and your final price will come in around $40,000.

Get your price on a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class »

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Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

The Mercedes-Benz CLA offers a gorgeous package and does so with the brand’s most affordable model. Front-wheel drive is standard, while 4Matic all-wheel drive distributes up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels under certain conditions.

Best Value

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a four-passenger, four-door coupe. It comes in one trim with standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. A performance AMG CLA 45 model is marketed separately. We think most buyers will choose the front-wheel-drive model that starts at $33,695 including destination.

The CLA 250 comes with 17-inch wheels, imitation leather seats, 14-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch color display. As is common for Mercedes-Benz, the CLA 250 offers multiple packages and single upgrade options.

  • Model: 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250
  • Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
  • Output: 208 hp / 258 lb-ft
  • Transmission:Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 24 city / 37 hwy
  • Options: Premium Package ($1,800, heated front seats, satellite radio, keyless entry and push-button start, blind-spot monitoring), Driver Assistance Package ($1,500, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist), Smartphone Integration Package ($350, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility).
  • Base Price:$33,695 (including the $995 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price:$37,345

Performance

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that makes 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine sends power to the wheels by means of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

The CLA is derived from the same platform underpinning the GLA, sharing its engine, transmission, and most suspension components. The CLA launches with authority and the transmission usually reacts promptly. Driving in Sport Mode supplies an improved connection for the driver, although we find the paddle shifters are smaller than what we’d like.

The best news is that this Mercedes feels a lot like other models and that’s even with front-wheel drive. The CLA feels planted and does an admirable job of navigating twisty roads. The ride is comfortable and braking is firm.

Style

Mercedes-Benz made certain to get the styling right with the CLA, taking no chance that it'd be dismissed as some cheap, front-wheel-drive variant. The styling is an enticing derivative of the outgoing CLS, but with its own front-end details. The large taillights might seem out of place on some models, but they only enhance the CLA’s look. The roofline is one of the most dramatic we have seen on a vehicle with four doors.

The exterior’s styling flair takes a toll on the interior, at least from a passenger seating comfort point of view. Two adults sit in comfort up front, but the rear space is already small and the roofline intrudes on headroom space. Mercedes scalded down the cockpit found in larger models to fit the CLA, while the center console offers an aftermarket vibe – not uncommon to this segment

The Best and Worst Things

We like that the CLA 250 delivers a recognizable design, executing well on a small frame. People might mistake the CLA for a far more expensive model on account of its beautiful canvas.

As mentioned, the falling roofline takes its toll on rear passenger comfort. If you're considering this model for you and your significant other, then this isn’t a problem. Otherwise, the two rear seats are most useful for youngsters.

Right For? Wrong For?

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Affording a luxury car has become more difficult in recent years as the price point for entry-level models is well above $40,000. The CLA along with the GLA give Mercedes-Benz a foothold in a market where competing brands make a mark.

If you need space for more than two adults, this model isn’t going to do it. Moving over to the GLA is one option as is moving up to the larger (and pricier) C-Class.

The Bottom Line

In the 2018 CLA, Mercedes-Benz supplies a gateway to the brand. Its sporty and elegant look suggest a far costlier model, giving consumers much of what they want from the tri-star brand.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 208 HP / 258 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 7-spd sequential shift control auto-shift man w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
24 / 37 / 30 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 208 HP / 258 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
24 / 37 / 30 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
14.8 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$56
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
13.1 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
182.3 "
Exterior Width
70.0 "
Exterior Height
56.6 "
Front Headroom
38.2 " / 37.0 "
Rear Headroom
35.4 " / 35.6 "
Front Legroom
40.2 "
Rear Legroom
27.1 "
Front Shoulder Room
56.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.2 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,274 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
18.1 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Amg Aluminum / 19.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Heated, Power Remote Driver, Power Remote W/tilt Down Passenger
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
With Chrome Bar
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Mb-tex Leatherette / Dinamica/mb-tex Simulated Suede/leatherette / Leather
Front Seat Type
Sport Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(10-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(10-way Power)
Front Armrests
(10-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan / Comand Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
8 / 12 Harman/kardon
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Rear Side-impact Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Parking Pilot Automated
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Accessories Months

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