Mercedes CLA Review: Can luxury descend? (FWD Mash-up Pt.1) -- Everyday Driver

[@godsdaughter2614]

You have to own a Cla 250 to appreciate it. I Absolutely Love it.

[@umarjohns1027]

How much is it

[@umarjohns1027]

And how can I get and I want to know the price

[@rustycalvez7137]

Thanks for the review. I just traded a 2012 accord coupe in on a 21015 cla. The accord was a nice car, but the differences are immediate when I drove the cla. German engineering is so different. Love my CLA it is awesone to drive, very fun car!

[@GA08GT478]

Rusty Calvez How is the maintenance cost?

[@rustycalvez7137]

I got the prepaid maintenance plan when I bought it. just had two year service done. I have had no issues with the car.

[@cashthefreshman]

Just purchased a 2015 CLA 4Matic w/ 25k on it.. I loved it instantly. 💯👍🏽

[@deamonwork]

I love that you guys annotated the dates for the next parts! a great touch

[@mrRambleGamble]

These dudes are automobile sommeliers 🚗🍷

[@leafple]

The CLA is breathtakingly beautiful! Its not a matter of opinion, its an absolute truth. The style alone is enough to dismiss the other two cars out of hand.

[@KCMrecordings]

+CAPTAIN LEAF BP In my opinion, it looks like a bar of soap that a kid drew on. An absolute truth is that it fails at all rules of design techniques, namely rule of thirds, cab rear, and proportions.

[@leafple]

.... no, it suceeds at the only true rule of design. Beauty. Beauty in its form and beauty in its function.

[@KCMrecordings]

Beauty (good design) can actually be formulated. It is all about proportions, much like the human face. The ideal human face is symmetrical, and has the right proportions in regards to length, width, features and size. This car is tiny, which is its intended purpose But when you design a car with such a large face, contrast it with such a tiny rear, place it on roller skate wheels (seriously, the wheels are as big as the headlights), and give it an extreme FWD dash to axle ratio, ALL the proportions are off. I digress, buy what you want. In my opinion, true beauty is more S class, Ftype, DB9, Camaro. CTS, corvette, or most jags

[@leafple]

Of course, I will. Lol, if you think beauty and art are formulaic, you truly don't understand either.

[@KCMrecordings]

CAPTAIN LEAF BP If you think it isnt, go talk to a real designer. You do understand that ratios (proportions) are numerical, right? Art is subjective, I can crumple off a piece of paper, spray paint on it and call it art. I'm talking design. Like I said before, one of the factors of beauty is proportions, and this car messes them all up.

[@alexcheetah79]

3:29 that interior gap in the door :o

[@ThePinoyMamba]

The CLA is a steal Mercedes Benz has taken its class to a new level over bmw

[@sm9496]

*face palm*

[@fartcan28]

What is a steal is a BMW 228i. If your going to get such a premium small car for legless rear passengers, might as well get a 228i.

[@Trades46]

Grumpy There are issues though; good luck trying to keep pushing that driver/passenger seat back every time you get called on to drive more than 1 person somewhere. Plus, the 2 series has some genuinely odd proportions that from some angles look like BMW shoved their 4 series into a trash compactor. Also, in about 3 years time, BMW themselves are going to go FWD on their 1 & 2 series; even Munich has to admit defeat this time around. Point to both Audi & Mercedes for cracking the code first.

[@fartcan28]

Trades46 +Trades46 Generally people are understanding when it is a 2 door. They expect more when it has 4 doors. The 2 is closer to the e36 than the 4 series. The 3 used to be compact, now it has become larger than the old 5. Yes, 2 series may become fwd in the future, but not in the immediate future. The M2 should be coming shortly. Till then it is a great value with real performance. To the point of the CLA. FWD, tiny car for $32k. Think it through. It ain't worth it. Consider all the larger, more powerful, fwd cars at that price. Just like the 320i, these brands are selling the badge.

[@Trades46]

Grumpy I'm not one to judge value by $/volume of car. But hey to each their own; FWD isn't the best platform for performance, but hey remember Honda's Type R models? Also, MB has now released a 4matic CLA which does help greatly with power distribution. The M2 isn't even confirmed from BMW's mouths yet. For now, I still call the CLA45 AMG the best performance/dollar next to likes of STI & Golf R. Heck, I'll throw in the Focus ST for laughs. Also, you'd be lying to yourself if you think the current 2 (even that M235i) handles anywhere CLOSE to the E36. BMW's tuning philosophy changed so much it's not even funny. It'll be faster than the old E36 M3 in power, but on a track the old M3 is so much more controlled at the limit of grip whereas the M235i will wag its tail out all day.

[@ldawson103]

I'm so glad you guys brought the accord to this comparison. I am currently cross shopping the two-door accord V6 six speed manual with the 335 and c250. Real people are actually cross shopping these vehicles.

[@godiskungen27]

I Love my CLA its just the feeling when driving CLA that cant explain

[@KCMrecordings]

That feeling of mashing the throttle and going nowhere because of its econocar engine? lol

[@petardenchev75]

From these 3, I like the Merc the most. If I had to spend 30K on a car, it wouldn't be any of those for sure

[@dblr3000]

I've tried all three already, and the Accord coupe v6 exl-navi is the better buy hands down. Fit, finish, nav interface, power delivery & available as a 6MT. Game over, Honda wins!

[@justinhays7620]

"...Almost as if the throttle is allergic to gasoline". Made me chuckle :)

[@DeadNightLife]

EverydayDriver I've had FWD cars my whole life and I'm sick of them but you made me want to test drive that CLA

[@KreKeriS911]

Come to the RWD side, we have fun.

[@Slickpete83]

They also have the cla in AWD

[@FloridaCams]

From a longterm ownership of the CLA, I noticed people commenting regarding the "maintenance costs" actually.. The CLA is relatively cheap for a Mercedes, this is a Merc that most people can really afford.

[@ryanlu.500]

People kept saying it's a 30k car. Alright, go buy a new one and good luck

[@edward3832]

Ryan Lu , hahaha! So true. A 30k CLA has basically nothing added, everything is optional, by the time you add basic features you will end up paying 41k or even more. People like to talk without really knowing and they are only going by what they see on these videos.. This car is beautiful

[@HandsomeAlex25]

I know you've hear it before, but I wish you guys had more videos more often. They are so very good!

[@Trades46]

I'm not sure if this applies to the CLA, but in the B250 (which has pretty much the same running gear), put the transmission in S (sport) mode, the revs are held and quickened, but the cool thing I noticed is the car will blip & rev-match downshift even when only using the brakes. It's so aggressive I don't think you can use it on public roads, but on a winding mountain pass or autocross, I think that's brilliant.

[@blane237]

Hey guys, I'd like to see how a $27k+ Mazda 3 S Grand Touring stacks up against entry level luxury cars like the A3, CLA, ILX etc. Would you guys be able to do a mashup between the high end C-segment Mazda 3 vs the Entry level luxury cars. I think it'd be cool to see how they stack up.

[@lowk3ychris484]

My mom and me went the the dealership yesterday and we had a choice between 2014 E 350 2013 E 350 2 door coupe a C250 And a 2015 CLA. I personally liked the 2014 E 350 but she didn't like the 4 doors and thought it was too big, didn't like the orange interior on the coupe E350 and I wouldn't let her get a used C 250 (btw those are really cheap) ended up with a CLA in our garage it's definitely a young man's car or car for women it's perfect

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Great review guys! Just wish they were more frequent

[@bmwmsport11]

New base model CLAs and A3s are hard to come by, nobody wants them so the dealers only order midrange and up trim levels for their stock. You're really talking about a $36k+ car here. Sure you can order a base model but who wants to do that on a base model.

[@ghettomist1575]

I hope Mercs try to become more reliable and be what they used to be in the 80's

[@chrisbrown6759]

They've been did that. I don't know what century you live in but my 2011 c300 works just fine. If you're talking about the AMGs then you're a dumbass because you're gonna be pressed to find any 300+ HP car that comes even close to being as reliable (relatively speaking) as the CLA45

[@ericjohnson9549]

Great review.. Thanks for all the details.. I actually test drive these and chose the CLA 250 and it's a lot of fun to drive. Great car.

[@caliblasian]

The CLA 250 weights as much as my 370z but it has 4-doors and can sit 5, it's an amazing car to drive at this price point.

[@jqwill1987]

Interesting comparison, good job

[@StreetCruizer]

I like that you're now experimenting more with music. Choosing a more classic track for a car of a classy conservative brand is a good idea. It would even fit better the even more luxurious models like E- or S-Class. I'm just not quite sure if this kind of music fits your fresh and fun oriented commenting style. Still you remain a very high level of professionalism with just the right amount of humor. I'm looking forward to listen to your choice of music for the next reviews.

[@danteistight]

I really enjoy your videos, regardless of my opposing views on certain cars. The level of production on your videos rivals that of Motor Trend and Car and Driver

[@AlastorTheNPDemon]

3:52 So, that's the reason I see four unmarked graves behind that one Mercedes factory...

[@kr0pp]

I still think that BMW 228i would have fit well in this group

[@SteveRunciman]

awesome vid guys...but I'm still waiting for another installment of "Exotic Driver"...

[@tedorysar]

Love ur vids! U guys r awesome!

[@nimab8935]

Great review. The biggest disappointment for me is its LCD. I can't like it.

[@blocksterz]

Great review

[@Sarranwrap_dc4]

They should have used Acura TSX instead of Accord

[@Sarranwrap_dc4]

And it fits in better with the luxury theme here. I prefer the TSX steering over any BMW.That said I feel the 2006-2008 TSX is the best. Looks way better and is faster than the outgoing one.

[@4240cameron]

I totally disagree the current tsx is better than the predecessor

[@ChristianOspina]

NSXShockwave I think they didn't because the tsx is discontinued for 2015

[@hgmailcom]

Isn't the tsx the tlx now?

[@ChristianOspina]

Yeah, no more Acura TL or TSX, only the TLX

[@_chipchip]

Can't believe these are only 30k in USA. They are over double that (quite a bit) in AUS....

[@bluebearbank247]

I love your reviews. I think horsepower-war is over after the 707hp Hellcat. Please review the MR2-Spyder.

[@MoeLester93]

Would love to know what rds you guys drive on great video by the way 👍👍

[@sbjorklund6794]

Love the comment on the door "gap" near the pillar. There must be a purpose or reason? It is so obvious; hard to imagine MB wasn't aware of it. So why did MB keep it?

[@KCMrecordings]

+Shawn Bjorklund They are pulling an ol' fashin' GM and cheaping out

[@trueboogaloo3412]

36k for Civic SI performance, that's what I thought when I test drove the CLA. I was hoping for better quality materials used on the interior but Mercedes does do a great job of making cheap plastics look high end. Equipped the way it is in this review, it's no better than Realtor lease special.

[@TVinmyEye]

The rear resembles the 2013 genesis coupe rear which by the why you guys need to review.

[@williamk1800]

Halogen lights on a luxury brand car is pretty inexcusable. And this was set up with a significantly higher as-tested price too than base? What the heck?

[@RogerLie]

im thinking the paint between the door and pillar was deliberate

[@shobin05]

i vote for accord too, but what about the impreza?

[@ferretface5149]

Please save your money Underneath this car are Chevy Malibu Underchassis and same the Underchassis of the new Impala and the old G6 Pontiac Brakes, suspension arm, look at the rear suspension arms and look at the suspension arms of the new malibu and the new impala and the old G6

[@kevingest5452]

apropos of what was said in the intro (presumably because you knew it was true but probably just didn't have access to one) the third car needed to be a 228i if we were sticking to the small German luxury/sport category... might just be me being selfish because I'm about to buy a 2 series and want to see what you thought of it.

[@TheItsmegp46]

Everyday driver, you are so wrong. That tacky looking Nav screen looks like MB forgot to design it into the dash and just plopped it on top. Add to that, it just screams, STEAL ME!

[@n9athan]

If the 228i would be included in this test it would win hands down.

[@Reno20k]

Cost of ownership puts these three in very very different categories.

[@dreamkiss4u]

Hi guys from this web chanel :-), i wanted to ask you a question its about the Scion FRS and SUBURU BRZ seeing that you love its handling and just needed more power... can i refer you to a video on KZbin? the youtube web video provider is /DRIVE and the video is called : The 450 HP Crawford Performance Turbo BRZ - /TUNED would love to know what you think and perhaps you can go test that car out your self hehe would love to see your comments and test drive of it knowing it drives amazingly as stock but now a supped up version like wow please test it out and make a video that compares to its driving from your past test drives as a stock BRZ or FRZ and this one thanks! keep up the great videos.

[@artisticbuilding6852]

I love the CLA

[@spade118]

One thing about Mercedes they know how to make good steering feeling cars. The merc is an ok car in my opinion but honestly I'd take the accord. For a FWD the accord is sporty and near luxe enough for my needs. The merc has the style though but accord comes in a manual and a v6!!

[@pbtrance7663]

have one i commute 100 miles a day in it getting 30+ mpg in heavy LA traffic best bang for the buck for style economy and fun

[@bobbys5343]

I am in the market for one. How's the car holding up? And how is the reliability?

[@hondaftw1234]

I'd take the Accord Coupe over these two any day.

[@Crushercurtis702]

Oscar Sun "pretentious" couldn't have put it better.

[@joserpm]

I agree. The VW Jetta GLI with the Autobahn package should have been the third car here, not a Honda Accord COUPE.

[@MrMikeDao]

Jose Polanco In my opinion, I just think it's because the Jetta is: -Plain Jane -Not low 30k price -Not mid-size sedan? Correct me if I'm wrong The accord was chosen because it was favored the most in a lot of categories by various journalist in its class.

[@alexcheetah79]

Michael Dao The accord is the only midsize and the GLI is understated.

[@MrMikeDao]

Alexander Est True that means the Jetta GLI hasn't been chosen because of not being low 30k and it's plain Jane. I think the Passat is nice but it's still not up there to the Accord Coupe and Mazda 6.

[@KPKaccountt]

The background music fits the car lol

[@cdangers]

Lame. July 31 for the next part? Why did you not just put them together? Am I supposed to go back and re-watch the other videos before watching the new one? Fail. Not watching the other 2 parts.

[@EverydayDriver]

You may not have noticed the second part will be next Thursday, July 24th, and then the third part on the 31st. We try to always release on Thursdays. For a series like this we often separate the cars, but always include links and summaries to the other parts. We've found it helps new viewers find us when they are searching for an individual car review. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@cdangers]

Thanks for clarifying but it doesn't change anything. When people do a head to head, it doesn't take 2 weeks. It happens in the same video.

[@theshonen8899]

cdangers You're clearly new here.

[@1970borntorun]

Oh no!! You mean you have to go back on KZbin, click on TWO more videos to watch the whole thing ?!? Oh, the HORROR !! It's a good thing you aren't lazy LOL

[@jonnyg234]

But what about the Acura ILX? :o

[@PIchillin456]

You know, I guess I really just don't think that I'll ever respect this car, no matter how good it actually is because it goes against what I think of when I think of a Mercedes. I would have been perfectly cotent with only 150 hp and less striking styling as long as it was rear-wheel drive and vault-like like a Mercedes should be in my mind. I just think the money went into the wrong places and frankly, if I was looming for a budget luxury car, I would get a C300 because the starting price is the same as the as-tested price of the CLA they drove and has all the things that in my mind make a Mercedes a Mercedes.

[@h3runs]

I know lots of people love the CLA, but I really don't find it visually appealing at all :/ It's more interesting than the VW next to it, but that's not saying much. If I really wanted luxury on the cheap, I'd buy something used.

[@bottomlayer]

Too bad we don't get the regular A-class hatchback or the B-class. At least Canada gets the B-class though (it has been available up there for about 5 years). Why doesn't Mercedes sell their less-expensive cars over here? They would make a lot of money! If the luxury car brands offered a car starting at or around 20k, they'd all be successful! Too bad no more 6MT V6 Accord sedan.

[@MrStreetballer5Official]

The rear tailights and body design for this new generation of benz's look so feminine that I'm inclinded to choose bmw and audi over them. Nothing like a good aggressive designed car.

[@MrStreetballer5Official]

terry947 Yeah they did a good job with the front of the cla But the back of it should have been slope up or kept at a even level.

[@mak62183]

MrStreetballer5 Yes, I agree... Mercedes, WHY THE SLOPING REAR END?!?! Good Lord the slope just ruins an otherwise half-decent looking front end! Maybe it's just to push you to buy a more higher-end model or something... but the slope is RIDICULOUS!

[@iMysteryTube]

Actually i would take the accord coupe as well, its the smarter choice

[@GMdrivingMOPARguy]

For 36 grand, I skip all these and get a nicely restored '70 Plymouth Road Runner

[@redriver15262]

GMdrivingMOPARguy why are u even watching this if it's nowhere near that american hunk of junk

[@phattyhales]

They are a good looking car. I just wish they were RWD. It also sounds slightly frustrating if you are an enthusiast...

[@assassin72]

Anyone who buys the Mercedes or Audi are only buying it for the badge in this segment.There are way better cars that are probably better equipped for less the money.

[@monsieurpaull1617]

Exactly ! Judge buying the badge lol

[@monsieurpaull1617]

Exactly ! Judge buying the badge lol

[@AnontheGOAT]

I can't stand the look of the CLA. That sagging rear end bothers me. The only thing that sets the front apart from the back is badge in the front. Looks like a banana.

[@danjcastrillo]

HOw about the wrx?

[@GmoneyMozart]

This is more of a status care imo. someone who wants a benz but can't afford to shell out benz money.

[@Bugumir]

This is weird. It's like a pet store with two cats and a dog. If you're a dog person you'll get the dog, if you're a cat person you'll get a cat. It won't matter if one's higher maintenance than the other. Same with these cars. If you like Japanese and you're looking at getting a bang for your buck you'll buy Honda. If you're a German car fan you'll pick one of the other two. So why throw them in together? A 2 series or Jetta would have made a better third option in my opinion.

[@Wildchildinc]

LOL this thing is basically a civic

[@KeithsTVHD1]

Folks are just buying the Benz badge

[@RealtimeReviews613]

If the germans could learn how to build lexus like reliability id buy one but they are unreliable which makes no sense when you pay sooooo much for a car

[@tropmonky]

States major failure of this comparison in the price category due to not having BMW in the opener... c'mon guys.

[@williamzz5]

wrx?

[@Slickpete83]

I would take the accord , think about all the crazy expensive trips to the benz dealership you will have to make over the life of that car , for what ?? A benz label on a car so u can impress your friends

[@michaelnunnery6394]

The CLA always for me True ECO mode is terrible But at least in Europe there's an extra mode Comfort Mode The Elephant doesn't belong in the room and now that a certain British Author has ruined the A3 there is only one choice The Mercedes

[@killahghost7293]

how the hell can you compare a honda to a benz or audi? thats an insult to those german cars.

[@Alumnikiid]

$30k rather get a civic si and keep the change

[@stifster12]

This small CLA is not a luxury car, cheap materials everywhere, rough ride and wind noise.

[@garytanaka]

Where's the BMW? That CLA is so un-Mercedes-like. Despite the passage of time, they have still not completely exorcised all of the Chrysler taint. Quality used to be a Mercedes hallmark - not so much now days, unless you buy a Maybach - oops - I mean S Class. At least the Honda will remain reliable beyond the warranty.

[@caribbeangtr8077]

Different strokes for different folks. I think it's ugly at the back, that is coming from the bigger CLS of many years. It was ugly then and it's still ugly now, no getting used to that. The interior styling with all those round vents looks like the plummer designed it. Where are you seriously going with 208 HP? The car is being stiffled. Anytime you see a 4 cylinder turbo car with more torque (250) than HP you know it is artificially limited. The natural power of this engine is more in the order of 320 as in the AMG 4WD package we get in our markets, but, if you send the entry version with that mount o HP, what would the AMG offer? Try 400 on hi octane, its easily achievable. You should see the hatchback version to this car we get in Jamaica, with the boy racer top spoiler and stupid colours. You'd think some hip hop or rapper brought it an went to Pep Boys and brought every accessory available in the store. Its to compete against the EVOs and WRX but with more luxury as in the case of the BMW335i (the don't really), but you get the drift (no pun intended)

[@timoffreethought580]

I think the Benz is hideous! It looks like it was driven over a sharp edge then pushed down and bent . And what about depreciation and reliability. Honda without any hesitation any day .

[@6ec6YRFPTcC]

it literally feels like a cheap mercedes inside

[@nhoff7703]

I'll take a golf R

[@scanspeak00]

Mercedes is losing it's core values and this will depreciate badly.

[@keyshawnrussell245]

They still haven’t depreciated badly

[@ForTehNguyen]

remember the CLK230, yea its kinda like that. Still a piece of crap

[@kaplandg]

you really comparing honda to mercedes and audi? the craftsmanship and detail in the german cars are way above and beyond the cheap interior and elsewhere of the honda.

[@Buli0n]

I dont like this mercedes. Front is so manlish and aggressive, but rear... :/ omg, what is this?

[@R33C3.]

Both FWD crap german. Buy a jaguar XE

[@steve1201988]

Too bad these CLAs have a ton of electrical issues already , another fake Mercedes. Just buy something better

[@Diwash1]

Stephen Paletta What issues? That is like saying Americans are fat or dell makes bad computers.. Could give us some examples?

[@tugitime]

Red is the worst color

[@pontiacGXPfan]

this car is absolute trash

[@MrNicholg]

Too bourgeois.

[@cruzer6181]

The CLA is JUNK. It's built like JUNK. The Audi has noticeably higher build quality and materials. It feels like these two are talking to each other too much between takes and having groupthink bias. I enjoy the channel overall but this comparison is hogwash. I've spent time with both cars and it does not wash at all. That CLA is not worth what they are asking and the engineering is embarassing.

[@1970borntorun]

More like the Audi is junk! Audi's have NEVER had a good reputation for reliability, have AWFUL - numb steering, and are about as exciting to look at as spending time in Nebraska lol

[@revolutionday1]

@ the Mercedes: No. Just.....no.

[@sysakPL]

God, is this Mercedes ugly. I disagree with everything said about the design of this car. IMO it's got terrible proportions poorly hidden underneath cheap styling tricks

[@jcheng94588]

umm the CLA is a Rwd

[@revaholic]

Lol, how wrong you are.

[@SaskatchewanBadAss]

I hate how all the main luxury brands moved away from being nice smooth an comfortable to being wannabe sports cars. If i want a sports car ill go buy a damn sports car! If i buy a lux car i want it big, quiet, comfortable like the old mercs used to be

[@Slickpete83]

I would take the accord , think about all the crazy expensive trips to the benz dealership you will have to make over the life of that car , for what ?? A benz label on a car so u can impress your friends

[@pkrange1]

Go find a better paid job my friend

[@redriver15262]

if you're a useless moron who cant do work on a car, then ya.

[@Shastagamers]

Eric Oupoh easier said than done