Road Test: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

We test the newest "Baby Benz" and discover that entry level need not mean cheap.

[@grant4life13]

Why so much hate on this car? Id rather be seen driving this than in a honda or hyundai. Its a cheap benz nothing more to it

[@hausmeisterengineering5952]

Well Mercedes and cheap don't go together well.

[@Shintsu2]

Reliability issues, huge lack of features until you up option (similar priced models from cheaper competitors are loaded with features unlike the Benz where not much is standard), small and cramped. This is made for the person who wants to try and impress people just by owning a Benz, but is not up to snuff with other Mercedes products. IMO, even the C-class is beneath the real level of Mercedes, the quality stuff starts at E-class and up.

[@3611-i2v]

Because the CLA is basically a shrunken and cheapened CLS. No wonder why so many people hate it

[@nissantech8857]

@@Shintsu2 spoken like someone who can't afford one

[@cheddie1]

Watching Motorweek last night 7/29. They did a piece on JD Powers good/bad results for a some vehicle segments. The MB S class ranked the best they have ever tested and to my surprised the CLA was top ranked in quality, owner satisfaction, price etc. for entry level luxury brand. We actually bought a white one as a daily driver and absolutely love it... so far.

[@JakeRipplinger]

this car is beautiful, I want one!!!

[@TylerF35A]

Most of the CLAs I've seen to date are very basic, but they are still very eyecatching. I've seen one CLA45 AMG. I'm still not sold on the exterior, but it is admittedly very athletic and should attract younger buyers, which is exactly the purpose. That being said, I would rather buy an A3 or S3, but if you want a great compact from a premium manufacturer with more bells and whistles than most other mid level models from other companies, look no further!

[@patrickedwards6191]

When he got in the backseat tho.... #theStruggle I knew that wasn't going to go well

[@TheOhknows]

Good review! Except the comment about the mpg. 28 is good

[@RandyJM21]

This seems like a car you get pre owned after massive depreciation mercs get and get rid of it before warranty is done if you want a little status.

[@kalonjijohnson4652]

Isn't that the rule for any luxury car built after '95?

[@daynight1921]

very nice looking qualiity car for this money

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Did john davis have gastric bi pass?

[@kevman949]

Weird how reviews of this thing have been all over the place. Car and Driver didn't seem too smitten with it.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

IF THIS WOULD NOT HAVE SO MANY OPTIONS THAT COST SO MUCH THIS WOULD PUT ACURA AND LEXUS SALES TO SHAME THATS ALSO IF THEY GOT RELIABILITY IN CHECK

[@TheTitan2025]

Thank-you Kate Upton.

[@swissmrkc]

merc in black is usually good, but not this one. I'd take any other color to actually show the nice lines.

[@rrojas657]

Really nice

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

The CLA costs $29,900 not over $30,000 for the base model. I have sat in this car and I am not a fan of the water vittle sized cub holders and the SLK sized rear view mirror. Also I am not a fan of the rear sport seats because the head rests dont give much visibility.

[@nissantech8857]

29.900 before destination charge

[@AndreasNorway]

Entry level at $30.000?! In Norway it is at ~$60.000... That is the 156 hk manual transmission

[@curseknight5]

besides price, does this car perform as it should? Or are there cars at this price that perform even better than just the branding?

[@Fussinated]

LOL! Front Wheel Drive Merc? Thanks, There are proven FWD cars in the market, like Acura, there is no need to gamble and risk a lot of money on a German experiment.

[@ThousanWhite]

Ummm, where's the Q50 tests?

[@laplanetsquad8935]

Mercedes fwd cla $36th + ? Not my money!

[@bobbysmith9810]

thats fucking great fuel economy compared to the 2013 chevy sonic , which has less hp and gets less MPG the sonic gets 27 on a good day ... my ppls owns one ..so i know ... they talkin me out

[@TheDevilSkelton]

I love it.

[@DoSum4Me]

I wonder why consumer reports shit on this car so much.

[@curseknight5]

Would you guys rather get the CLA 250 4Matic or VW GTI?

[@liamkwan5010]

i won't buy a civic looking mercedes....

[@daynight1921]

I CLA250 4matic !

[@queee1786]

Cla

[@jadenhorne9362]

CLA 4Matic

[@1bojanbojan]

99mph in 1/4 mile sound like low 14sec car now low 15

[@estellesouza179]

Sweet.

[@Fussinated]

Buick is a better car even at same price. It is more suitable for the US roads and American life style. It has similar trunk space and most certainly better cup holders. reliability is unquestionable better for Buick. So the negative reference at the end to a Buick with same price is rather unfair.

[@bilalahmed2123]

FWD Mercedes - Benz ? No Thank-You In Canada, I have only see seen the 4matic versions, thank God !

[@abelucious]

I almost threw up when he said front wheel drive Mercedes .

[@1970borntorun]

Please, dude! Save the drama for Law & Order. Does the fact that the GTI, Mazdaspeed3, or Ford Focus ST drive via their front wheels make them any LESS fun or important? NO.

[@wonderwall135]

black is not nice on this car..silver and red look the best. Downright sexy car but hidden costs. If you're in the market for a car in this segment, remember that you will have to play premium fuel for this car and maintenance and repair costs are a lot more than if you buy something like a premium accord or camry mazda 6 and the like.

[@spookerr]

Cool....

[@gkBISON]

cant wait to see as much cla as the corolla and civic on the streets!!! wrong move MB.

[@ata7daki]

I prefer the VW passat CC !

[@HybridEnergy]

28.4 mpg combined is dissapointing? lmao he should drive me evo. I get like 17.

[@yorktmd]

The car that Saab should have made...

[@pontiacGXPfan]

This car screams "we only built it because someone said we had to". M-B didn't try very hard with this car because the operative phrase "30-grand Mercedes". You notice it in the interior because nearly every surface is hard and cheap-feeling plastic. In the C-Class they had decent sized cupholders with a conventional console shifter: now it has that HORRIBLE column shifter that has all the solid feel of a toothbrush just so there could be three undersized cupholders and more cheap plastic on the console. Mercedes is really falling off this decade.

[@skillz1855]

A plastic Benz,, imagine that,,

[@jrolla007]

wow, those stock non-xenon headlights look horrible, I've seen better headlights on entry-level cars that look good compared to that abomination. the headunit looks like an afterthought and does not flow with the cabin.

[@Toyota4Life]

Well that what happens when high end auto makers want to make a cheap car.

[@untouchablemvj]

LS 460 is overrated 43-60 for a used one, it's basically a dressed up TOYOTA... Mercedes are way nicer than Lexus.. Cadillac,Lincoln, Lexus, Infiniti are on mid tier and Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Bentley are on the top Platform... Even a cheaper Mercedes is better than a Mid Lexus..

[@Finesse460]

Mercedes-Benz isn't on my hate list, however, Lexus is Toyota but not as "dressed up" as you say it is. The GS is based on the Toyota Crown while the LS is based on the Crown Majesta, however, now has it's own for 2013+.. Even then, those are the most prestige Toyota models alongside the Century V12. Yes, Toyota makes a V12. Lexus is one of the most prestige cars in the world, alongside the German competitors. It's build quality is actually on par, if not exceeding, with those of Europe. Also, keep this in mind: Lexus are one of the most financed cars in the world versus the Germans being Leased most of the time. This is because of it's Reliability and Efficiency, along with comfort. It doesn't fall behind in performance either. Mercedes-Benz is a great performing car with excellent build quality.. But when the warranty wears away.. I feel sorry for your wallet and the missing peace of mind.

[@mrmysteriotx]

This thing is fugly, tiny, expensive to buy, and even moreso to own (premium fuel). PASS! Do the ct200 and ILX not ring any bells. Learn from other auto makers' mistakes, rather than copy them.

[@Krazyisthebest]

It's actually a little longer than the C-class by 1.5 inches and has the same horsepower as the base model of the C-class. As for looks, you haven't seen this car in person. This video doesn't do it justice. Lastly, this care has INSANE numbers for fuel economy. It's better than the Sonata.

[@Trades46]

Umm...what? CT200h is an overpriced Prius that looks horrid, drives like a golf-cart and has an interior that makes a Venza look upscale. ILX is better than the joke of a Lexus entry lux, but it is still very much a Civic underneath. The tech is pretty nice in the ILX, but there's not much in the way of luxury either. Note the ILX requires Premium, and isn't remotely as efficient as the CLA.

[@mrmysteriotx]

Trades46 "Umm...what?" is correct. Had you comprehension of context, you'd know that I was citing The ILX & CT200 as equally unappealing cars alongside the CLA. I wouldn't buy ANY of those 3.

[@Trades46]

mrmysteriotx To each their own. I personally think spending north of $35k for a mainstream car as foolish. You can cross-shop any entry lux with a well-equipped sedan, but once you drive a luxury car its hard going back.

[@fairjudgement4409]

Looks like an over priced Hyundai.

[@jadenhorne9362]

FUCK NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[@VanquishMediaDE]

That is a ugly car. Get a C class.

[@wellrounded713]

This MotorWeek show is a joke! Like they might ever give a bad review to any German product. Just think about what he said about that after market looking info screen, not to even mention those ugly round vents, and those ugly little stock dials for the duel climate control. Drove the car and was as bumpy a ride as Infinity G37.

[@contagiouz989]

Wow this car sucks in every way. Unless you want to wear a hat backwards and stretch you hand to the steering wheel and act tough cause you get a Benz. I'd rather keep my 2013 Passat tdi for 33K with much more technology and 46 mpg average. Truly feel sad for Mercedes owners. Which are mostly showoffs. They need a hug. LOL that screen just makes me laugh.

[@tdatreefrog]

How is this car a showoff car? It is built well gets great MPG and is cheap. My civic si got worse gas mileage

[@IKhanNot]

I drive a C Class so if I follow your mentality I'm a showoff? You sound like quite the showoff mentioning your fuel economy and the price you paid for the car so perhaps you should practice what you preach.

[@kalonjijohnson4652]

$30K is the black for entry-level luxury....