The 2020 Mercedes AMG CLA 45 4MATIC is a surprisingly fast little beast!

MotoMan drives a unique Mercedes AMG, the 2020 Mercedes AMG CLA 45. Based on the CLA and A Class platform, the 2020 Mercedes AMG CLA45 is a 4 door AMG that has 382 HP from a 4-cylinder turbo, which proves to be very surprising to MotoMan as we learn in a mini TECH REVIEW contained in this FIRST DRIVE REVIEW episode. The secret are a number of significant changes to the suspension and 4MATIC AWD system the AMG blessed upon the CLA45 - some of which we learn are pricey adds in a round of our famous #OptionsGame . . .
#Mercedes #MercedesAMG #CLA45 #CLA45AMG #MercedesAMGCLA45
Subscribe AND CLICK NOTIFICATIONS now to experience our adventures in the car world.
www.youtube.com...
For more information, watch our Mercedes AMG GT R Roadster FIRST DRIVE REVIEW @ • 2020 Mercedes AMG GT R...
- or -
2021 Mercedes GLA 250 4MATIC FIRST DRIVE REVIEW @ • 2021 Mercedes Benz GLA...
Check out our Mercedes Playlist:
• Mercedes
Follow us at our socials to get behind the scenes video clips, pics and more:
Facebook - / motomantv
Twitter - / motomantv
Instagram - / motomantv
MotoMan. Storyteller of Transport, Travel & Inspired People
Check out our long form interview show, INSIDE THE MOTOMAN STUDIO, where we talk to the key people shaping the car world!
Available NOW on all our streaming platforms as well as a PODCAST!
Subscribe. Rate. Review at:
podcasts.apple...
play.google.co...
open.spotify.c...
tunein.com/pod...
Download our MotoManTV App!
Apple iTunes/iOS:
itunes.apple.c...
Google Play/Android:
play.google.co...
Amazon App Store:
www.amazon.com...
MUSIC courtesy of Kevin MacLeod/incompetech.com, Michael Bliss, Evan Schaeffer - / evanschaeffer & Jahzzar

[@matthewowen5574]

Mine was $78k, ordered from the factory with all the options you mentioned. But I got night black with black seats and multispoke matte black wheels. Love it. Took six months to get it. Well worth the wait.

[@tony9554]

LOL

[@MarceloLopezJr]

@@tony9554 double lol......not for 78K. For that...that's Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio with 505hp territory....

[@mike786551]

@@MarceloLopezJr and the alpha drives like a true Italian car. This one's nice but damn they need ty reduce the price jeez

[@MarceloLopezJr]

@@mike786551 Agreed....it's simply too high. Maybe if they included 3 years free maintenance. 🤔

[@shanGoes924]

people spending their own money, and other people complaining. Your opinion against his preference.

[@rosarioalongi2660]

There is also a 421hp version! (CLA AMG 45S)

[@stuartlloyd-jones9583]

Not available in N.America unfortunately

[@timc.911]

@@stuartlloyd-jones9583 Yes and unfortunately some idiots don't believe that and claim it is being sold here in the US.

[@MarceloLopezJr]

And what genius in Stuttgart thought NOT bringing this to the US was a good idea?

[@timc.911]

@@MarceloLopezJr probably the very same genius that decided Euro countries will ONLY get the S version. Go figure.

[@chasereynolds1266]

Throw a tune in there and get that hp 😏

[@drew2548]

Car is surprisingly fast, and I'd bet extremely under rated on power. Really engaging car, and looks like a small GT63.

[@totallynotvin8353]

Watched it till the end. Wow, this not only is an in depth review but also a lesson to a lot of young drivers!

[@mariokajin]

And then this isn’t even the S model with 421 hp.

[@ariespinal]

Damn this man is a good reviewer. The first time finding this channel. After I bought my CLA 250 all I do is look at videos of CLA's.

[@Shadow-lq7rx]

nice bro, what year you buy? i just bought a 2014 cla 45, a month ago and love it.

[@jonahhitchcock5821]

He’s so neutral and understanding

[@hadytarabay]

Great review! And great advice in the end! I am going to be considering this from now in life in general!

[@MotoManTV]

We're going to be having more discussions like that in the near future . . . stay tuned.

[@finlayc121]

Learnt a lot of new things that aren’t mentioned in other vids! Great video earned a new sub

[@ScottE5]

Another great review, Moto. Really appreciate the engineering comparos with the standard A-class along the way. You're the first KZbinr to have gone there. Thank you.

[@MotoManTV]

Thanks, Scott!

[@HannahsGarage]

Amazing achievement especially with that engineering masterpiece of an engine. It looks great and has decent tech, but absolutely not for $77K. At that price point, a prospective buyer of this car is going straight to a C63, M3, maybe a Cayman GTS, etc.

[@TheSidekickking]

you do realize that this 4cly car can beat a c63 m3 and m4 right? and still gets better gas mileage so 77k is good for the money. plus you can drive it in snow because its a 4 wheel drive.

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Yeah and don't hang up so much on the 77k$ which is "overloaded", if this car make sense you need to stay in the 60th with the total price. If there is a 7 in the front I pass.

[@timc.911]

Just buy a minimally spec'd one and it's a decent deal.

[@Shadow-lq7rx]

there are cla 45s near me for $60k msrp, but they range to up to $75-77k near me also. Just find a cheaper optioned one.

[@Phar0hB0t]

@@TheSidekickking What are you smoking... you'd also top out on the power those 4 bangers can really push once you go aftermarket... c43 and m4 are in their own league

[@Floridaprobatelitigator]

Once again great video. I love the detailed explainations of how it works.

[@IceDree]

You're absolutely right about the price, M. The i4 AMGs suffer from the RR Velar syndrome. Cool products start at somewhat decent prices, but once you start ticking the options you want, you start stepping on the toes of superior products from the same brand and might as well upgrade at that point. IMO the way I see it, cars like this are only viable if you want lots of power, but live in a country with an engine displacement tax. Of course, its your money and you're free to spend it however you please. As for the grille, I'm not a fan of the panamericana grille. To me, the vertical lines make the car visually taller, as opposed to visually wider with the old Chevron grille. As always, excellent work, M.

[@MotoManTV]

Very good point on the taxes . . .

[@IceDree]

@@MotoManTV they gotta get their pound of flesh ;)

[@fiercedevil6955]

Sadly the even faster CLA45 S is not currently sold in the U.S.

[@SheLuvsShawn]

It’s not even that much faster nor louder. 421 vs 382 hp. With mods you can boost the 382 up to 421.

[@ricetea1]

The AMG drive unit on the steering wheel is not standard. It's a $400 option.

[@AMore429]

100% agree about shifter !!!

[@XRPJAY00]

Can’t wait to get this in 5 years when the value has been cut in half

[@rpmpowerm]

Dude too bad the pandemic fk this up. Used cars are selling like new prices. Even the 2020. Was hoping to buy one used too

[@MPPJ1931]

Dear anyone outside of the US. We don't get the CLA S versions, we don't get the shooting brake, we don't get the hatch versions of A35's or any AMG product for that matter. We don't get C43 or C63 Wagons. Telling us to drive one we can't, unless we get on a plane and fly somewhere that does. Which at this time your govt probably wouldn't allow us in your country anyway...

[@Rmalikk]

Great review. This car is amazing

[@maurie7068]

One of best vids I've seen for this car

[@Tony-hj7bm]

your shifter comment is the best I completely agree

[@neodym1337]

Great thorough review!

[@blueshark3098]

I almost agree with your last line of this review. But the problem is, there are very few Mercedeses that I would actually want to buy (I prefer not to lease). This is one of the few that appeals to me at my price point. So, yeah. If I had the cash, I'd option this thing out to $80,000 and have limited regrets. 😃😃😃

[@makarnautovic434]

I get all that about “cheap seats in the fancy neighborhood” but RWD cars in snowy parts of the world are a no-go. If you consider AWD a must, what is better for the price?

[@LitfinA]

77k for less then 400 hp is insane. Insannnneee. These options are insane how is some of this not standard.

[@mikehawk120]

Options are nuts. I just picked up a 21 A35 for 47.5 OTD only 4 options. There was a few options I did want, but I would of been north of 50k. I could of afforded it, but with only 302hp, I’m not going for it lol. I’ll pick up a gently used 45 sim spec’d like this one on the vid in a couple years for the same price I just paid, or a lil less.

[@makatron]

They drop of the options from the base model just to say "starting at X price", but once you start throwing even the most basic options you're easily putting an extra 15k on top of MSRP.

[@macstone9719]

Beauty should be spread as widely as possible. I really love the GT grill, so why not put on other AMGs. And yes, real gauges please. This CLA is really good looking. Just remember the first one, or better don´t :-)

[@benjaminkohl342]

The rear side airbags are the Special Order (SPC). They carry an additional $250 processing charge. The paint and wheels don't. Also the 10.25 inch screens are standard on the CLA45. Multimedia package or not,

[@mike786551]

@Rubedo Alaberti rs3 charges for it as well

[@whatsupwithsteve]

It's a good thing to pilfer the nose. They are still two completely different and distinctive cars..:)

[@merpg6624]

That grill is beautiful I love the new face lift. Im looking for a Mercedes now and Ik I want that new facelift

[@georgejungle138]

“Bajrush Isufi” What a German name

[@aconfusedazn]

It’s not misfiring... there’s a difference between overrun, backfire and misfires...

[@murmanzach4109]

Amazing car 👏👏👍

[@SkyNet-ty1tm]

I could only afford the cheap seats - CLA 35. Still was almost 60k with lot of missing options. 😅 Had to add BMS JB4 to it to get some decent excitement

[@thatomosifane9616]

Beautiful car and a testament to german engeenering, just brilliant

[@ps-qj5wl]

Was the suspension too hard for daily driving?

[@birdseyeview1543]

It's simply too much hp from too little displacement despite all the "workarounds". Lease it, drive it, ditch it.

[@tenetonline7497]

BirdsEyeView Amen Brother! 🙌🏾

[@officesuperhero9611]

Great review. You mentioned that high use functions are buried in the system. With Mercedes, you can create favorites and shortcuts to quickly get to those high use items which makes it much faster. I have a new GLE 450 w same system in your review. And I’ve created shortcuts. And let’s now forget that MBUX allows you to just tell the car to make an adjustment with your voice.

[@officesuperhero9611]

sasquatch not necessarily. Buttons don’t make cars safe or unsafe. It’s where they are located. If you returned 50 buttons to the car but they’re all small and low and not well lit, that’s the danger.

[@MotoManTV]

In my experience, voice control is just not there yet. Not a Mercedes thing, an every OEM thing. As such, would highly suggest OEMs do an about face and return to more rotary knobs, toggle switches and buttons. This is more of a safety thing than a design/UX thing. More here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnu8hnuEfK9nrLs

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Like always learned a lot today about the tech in the small hot Benz - but - best point at last, for a loaded CLA you can by a "base" C63 and Coupe is "sweat" would go rather much for the C63 thank you :)

[@wwesuperstar1100]

I want this car badly but worry about it’s reliability. How can a boosted 4 cylinder possibly last over 200k. Please convince me , I really want this car

[@begebege984]

1. AMG, 2. One man one engine 3. Don’t worry about that engine, it will be the longest lasting part of that vehicle.

[@gtasanandreascluckinbell]

@@begebege984 the person building that engine know the engine better than him/herself

[@patricksoon85]

I heard the audio system is broken on CLA45s. Is that right? One reviewer said there's no bass.

[@mister_ray]

I sure wish MB would bring the AMG A45S hot hatch to North America instead of another boring cross over.

[@93455Driver]

Totally agree - that is THE hot hatch.

[@FredroStarr12]

The 4 cylinder sound isn't too special, nice tech though

[@gtasanandreascluckinbell]

The most powerful one plus 0-60 in 4 sec

[@GuusvanLienen]

Great review, and a great car. The only thing I would love to see in the options list is the 'cabin sound generator - delete'. Luckily it doesn't also have an external exhaust sound generator like the BMW i8 had, only valve control.

[@mcd5082]

Excellent advice at the end. And $77k for that, no thanks. I’ll stick with my 2019 S4.

[@Yevvy0000]

way to tell the world that you have an S4. you are so cool

[@nickng5857]

And get walked by Cla45s all day long

[@lecamper7435]

I would buy it at $54k but not 77k

[@MarceloLopezJr]

Damn straight.

[@gorrilazshocklol2185]

What color is that?

[@shubhromu]

1:35 Is that a missing bolt?

[@mike786551]

Probably so. This is hand built right, so I'm sure the mechanic forgot something. Humans vs robots lmao

[@trevorsutherland5263]

I'm 48 and this is the only Benz I would actually buy----am I crazy? LOL.

[@gtasanandreascluckinbell]

Nah its the coolest german 4 cylinders

[@Scorpio1075]

I test drove a CLA 45 today, I notices an exhaust drone between 2-3K which was super annoying and disappointing. Otherwise, I love it!

[@shamarlewis1317]

Where is this exact car located

[@stuartlloyd-jones9583]

Would you take a 2019 facelift C63s sedan over a new CLA45? This is the question I'm asking my self for this fall's purchase. I am swaying towards the C63s, because of that engine, gearbox and steering feel. Oh and obviously the RWD..

[@TheSidekickking]

this new cla45 better for your bucks because its a 4 wheel drive and its slightly faster than a c63s and better gas mileage

[@JohnGuidetti751]

C63s

[@yaboibakalli]

Depends on where you live. I have a 2018 c63s and I may be getting rid of it for a 2020 cla45 fully loaded. I need awd now and I prefer something more relaxed than the c63s. I dailyed it with 64k miles on the odo and its cost me a fortune to own/run.

[@stuartlloyd-jones9583]

yaboibakalli have you tried the CLA45? I know it’s a small thing, but not getting the “s” variant is an issue, which I’m sure people would get around. Specced one out for Canada, $70++ for a nice optioned version. I’ve got a final year glk for a daily, C63s is my transport for those nice days where it’s not to treacherous on the roads. Other option is a 2018 E63s is now dipping into the high 80’s CAD. Now that’s something to consider.! LOL

[@JohnGuidetti751]

yaboibakalli consider a C43 or E53 amg

[@alenibricic9899]

here in Europe cla45s with more stuffs 95000 euros

[@hoonhog28]

Your question on snout. The GT Snout should be kept for it and it alone. It’s use across the range made it too generic.

[@Edusaab]

in the US they don't sell the 45S with 421bhp?

[@Edusaab]

@Rubedo Alaberti strange... some EU markets, as Spain only it's sold the 45s. For that range of price, people will go directly to the most powerful version.

[@Edusaab]

@Rubedo Alaberti jejeje that's clear :) Regards

[@zachg9065]

I guessed it would be between $78k-$82k. I was close!

[@timc.911]

But the base price is $54,800

[@alenibricic9899]

if you buy cla 45s bigger screen, sound better more hp a much better looking car than cls

[@kloke2090]

9:48 What would that leak be?

[@mike786551]

Prolly water from the AC

[@djcoronel]

amen to being the cheap seat in the fancy neighborhood. my parents live in temecula wine country in a very, VERY exclusive guard-gated neighborhood. well, at 34, i decided that i was going to also live in temecula wine country, albeit in a not as exclusive neighborhood, i am the small house on a beautiful piece of land amongst mansions and estates in this beautiful part of california. the beauty of this is that i can always rebuild on the land later in life as the neighborhood that i chose is that great. so yes, amen to the cheap seat in the exclusive neighborhood!

[@tony9554]

And this has what to do with the car reviewed? Good luck in surviving the looming collapse of Kalifornia.

[@djcoronel]

@@tony9554 he mentioned at the very end 'cheap seats in the fancy neighborhood' and i felt like sharing. this is an open platform, so share what you'd like and i'll share the same. p.s. california is never going to collapse. the real estate here and the natural beauty of the land -- just too valuable to pass up on. if we see republican flight out of california, that's fine with me.

[@93455Driver]

David Sant Jordi Coronel It will collapse but will come back again :) In @2009 - 2012 prices dropped, but were back up by 2015 and then some.

[@djcoronel]

@@93455Driver yeah, there was definitely the housing crisis of 2009 but california like the rest of the nation rebounded strongly. california is absoutely not in any a sinking ship.

[@93455Driver]

David Sant Jordi Coronel Because the Cali houses were so overpriced in 2005-2008, definitely housing prices dived off a cliff fell in 2009 and had a huge number of foreclosures. Buy a house in the dip and you have a great investment.

[@youtubecensorshipsucks6779]

77k haha there are so much better cars than to option this out

[@emmanuelpumah]

Will recommend this car for daily use ? What will be your top 4 dislikes and likes of this car please and thank you

[@sandrahass8348]

No no 387hp or 421hp

[@tony9554]

Perfect car for those with more money than brains (aka poseurs). PT Barnum was right about a sucker born every minute. Any motor that needs three way cooling is a grenade waiting to happen. Just wait for Otto at you local M-B dealer to service it. Optioned out at 77 large gives you many more opportunities

[@robertshaw4022]

All those safety features....standard on a $24,000 Kia

[@mike786551]

European companies are just trying to fleece customers

[@edombre4637]

it's quite a nice looking car from the front, but it looks clumsy and ugly from the rear - even from the side, that trunk is too voluminous. I think the a class sedan looks better - just wish i he sedan had an AMG 45 engine and parts in it.

[@997turbo2]

I disagree with you regarding getting well optioned car vs a fancier base car, for me a base car is a regret

[@gtasanandreascluckinbell]

Exactly, mine with all the options i wanted, it would cost me 73k canadian

[@997turbo2]

@@gtasanandreascluckinbell the cars I sold after 3 years max are higher class cars but somewhere are lacking like BMW 650i grancoup, cayenne s, Range Rover sport v8, cars kept for 10 years are 997 turbo manual, vw passat r36, cayenne turbo, the thing about top full optioned cars are unique and desirable most people you know will ask you to sell them the car after you done with it, higher class cars are the cars that most people choose and after few years you will start to see very bad examples of it in the used market offered in embarrassing prices that will affect your desire of keeping such a car, and i really believe that unique cars will protect its value better than normal cars, for example look at the 440i vs 420 or 430 you will be lucky to find a 440i used and when you find it it’s much more expensive and exclusive, keep on mind if you are going any car just make sure that you can extend the warranty for the year ls you intended to use plus some more for the next owner otherwise the car hit bottom price as soon as its out of warranty.

[@Yevvy0000]

wait, are you saying that an AMG is surprisingly fast? would have never guessed

[@mrHighLifex]

Lol what are you so pissed over, he made a good in depth review

[@Yevvy0000]

@@mrHighLifex surprisingly water is wet

[@EzraFieldsofStrawberry]

First haha!

[@philsalley3278]

Ultimate example of a Mercedes screw job. If Chevy can make a Z51 Corvette ride like a luxury car with mag shocks, why can't Mercedes. How long is the mega stressed 4 cyl going to last without expensive repairs (like a lot of Mercedes, plan to visit service frequently). The coming all new @$68k, 375 hp Genesis G80 looks far better, more luxurious. Won't be quite as fast but you'll get there much more comfortably.

[@emekaiheanacho6971]

Comparing an AMG to a Hyundai... Nice try

[@emekaiheanacho6971]

This is still fundamentally a front wheel drive car.... For 77k I can get a very lightly used E63s with 600+ hp....

[@philsalley3278]

@@emekaiheanacho6971 Dismiss Genesis at your own peril. G70 already on par with BMW/Mercedes/Audi.

[@emekaiheanacho6971]

@@philsalley3278 I love Genesis... I purchased a G70 5.0 4 years ago.... Amazing vehicles....They are not AMG!!!

[@emekaiheanacho6971]

@@philsalley3278 No it's not!!!

[@dash-ryan]

Shifter placement won’t change anytime soon. Most European reviewers like it where it is cause they have to move front and back more frequently in their cramped roads than North Americans ... and there is always China ...

[@Agent-mw8th]

Trump 2020

[@timc.911]

Wrong place, idiot.