2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA Prices, Reviews, Trims & Photos - AARP

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Reviewed by Jack R. Nerad

$39,250

Starting MSRP

$40,621

Starting Mkt Avg

TrueCar Rating

Owner Rating

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Reviewed by Jack R. Nerad

Pros

Cool coupe-like exterior. Four-door practicality. Two available high-performance AMG versions.

Cons

Complicated infotainment system. Tight rear seat. Not as fuel-efficient as some rivals.

Verdict

The Mercedes CLA measures up to the luxury brand's reputation with sharp design, strong performance, and a comfortable, upscale interior that's packed with tech features.

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Pros

Cool coupe-like exterior. Four-door practicality. Two available high-performance AMG versions.

Cons

Complicated infotainment system. Tight rear seat. Not as fuel-efficient as some rivals.

Verdict

The Mercedes CLA measures up to the luxury brand's reputation with sharp design, strong performance, and a comfortable, upscale interior that's packed with tech features.

Overview

The Mercedes-Benz CLA may be one of the luxury brand's smallest and most affordable sedans, but it is every inch a Mercedes, with distinctive design, an impeccable interior, robust build quality, and world-class engineering. This is one of the best-looking small sedans on the planet, with a cool coupe-like silhouette and a sporty low and wide stance. Mercedes even calls the CLA a coupe, so don't confuse it with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, which is smaller, less powerful, and costs about $4,000 less. With a strong 221-horsepower turbocharged engine and well-tuned suspension, the CLA 250 delivers abundant driving pleasure, and the high-performance Mercedes-AMG variants, the CLA 35 and CLA 45, take a decidedly sporting turn. Some may find the CLA's infotainment system to be unnecessarily complex and its rear seat too snug, but overall, it competes very favorably with the two available variants of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe as well as the Audi A3, Audi S3, and Audi RS 3.

What's New for 2022

The Mercedes-Benz CLA hasn't changed much for 2022. The available Premium package now includes SiriusXM. A USB-C cable is standard on the high-performance AMG models. New options for the AMG buyers include Rose Gold paint and the Night Package Plus, which includes black louvers on the grille and black exterior badging.

2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA Trim Comparison

CLA 250

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CLA AMG CLA 35

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CLA AMG CLA 45

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Starting MSRP

Starting Market Average

MPG

Engine

Blind Spot System

Lane Keep Assist

Moonroof

Front Heated Seats

Cruise Control

Climate Control

Proximity Keyless Entry

Bluetooth

Bluetooth Streaming Audio

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Wheel Size

CLA 250 Starting MSRP is $39,250 (With Additional Options Available)

CLA AMG CLA 35 Starting MSRP is $48,950

CLA AMG CLA 45 Starting MSRP is $56,950

CLA 250 Starting Market Average is $40,621

CLA AMG CLA 35 Starting Market Average is $49,531

CLA AMG CLA 45 Starting Market Average is $57,626

CLA 250 MPG is 25 city/36 hwy (With Additional Options Available)

CLA AMG CLA 35 MPG is 22 city/29 hwy

CLA AMG CLA 45 MPG is 20 city/29 hwy

CLA 250 Engine is 2.0L I4 Turbo

CLA AMG CLA 35 Engine is 2.0L I4 Turbo

CLA AMG CLA 45 Engine is 2.0L I4 Turbo

CLA 250 Wheel Size is 18"

CLA AMG CLA 35 Wheel Size is 18"

CLA AMG CLA 45 Wheel Size is 19"

Trims and Pricing

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is available in two trims: the front-wheel-drive CLA 250 and the all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4Matic. There are also two specialty performance CLA versions, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45. The CLA 250 is the most popular trim level, and it is our recommendation as well. We'll explain why.

CLA 250

Starting at $39,250 (including a $1,050 destination fee), the CLA 250 is the least expensive of the CLAs and it provides the most value for most buyers. Upscale features include a 221-horsepower turbocharged engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats with memory function, dual-zone automatic climate control, a digital cockpit with the MBUX voice assistant, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, remote start, and heated exterior mirrors. A wide variety of stand-alone options include a panoramic roof. Mercedes also offers several inclusive packages, such as the AMG Line packages meant to give the CLA 250 AMG-style looks.

CLA 250 4Matic

The CLA 250 4Matic ($41,250) adds all-wheel drive for just $2,000 more. It's worth it if you live in a snowy climate. All other equipment is virtually the same as on the CLA 250.

CLA 35

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 ($48,950) is the lesser of the two specialty performance versions of the CLA. It features a 302-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 4Matic all-wheel drive, and an enthusiast-tuned suspension for additional road holding.

CLA 45

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 ($56,950) takes the sedan's performance even further. It, too, has 4Matic all-wheel drive and a sport-tuned suspension, but its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is "hand built" to produce a whopping 382 hp.

Term

60 months60 mo

Down Payment

$2,500

Average Monthly Loan Payment for Mercedes-Benz CLA Styles

Loan Payment Information

Loan payments reflect the national market average, based on the sale prices of similar vehicles and APRs sourced from financial institutions.

Engine and Performance

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is powered by a smooth and responsive 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 221 hp. That's plenty for most buyers. The engine is teamed with an excellent seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz says the front-wheel-drive CLA 250 will go from zero to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds, the same as for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive version. With 201 hp, the Audi A3 isn't as quick as the CLA, while the 228 hp BMW 228i Gran Coupe matches its acceleration. Mercedes says the AMG CLA 35 zooms from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, which is a blink quicker than the BMW M235i xDrive, however the 306-hp Audi S3 blows their doors off. The AMG CLA 45 hits 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. That's seriously quick, but the new 401-hp Audi RS 3 is expected to beat that time.

Fuel Economy

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250's fuel economy is at the top of its competitive set. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a front-wheel-drive CLA 250 with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers an estimated 25 mpg during city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. All-wheel-drive drops fuel economy by 1 mpg. The high-performance AMG CLA 35 is estimated to achieve 22/29 mpg city/highway. The AMG CLA 45 gets 20/29 mpg city/highway. The less powerful Audi A3 offers 29/38 mpg city/highway, while the BMW 228i Gran Coupe is rated 23/33 mpg city/highway.

2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA Exterior Photos

Interior

The cabin of the Mercedes CLA looks, feels, and functions like the interior of a Mercedes-Benz should. It offers an excellent driver position, supportive seats for long-distance comfort, an impressive array of high-tech gadgetry, and it looks pretty cool with Mercedes-Benz's signature "turbine" air vents. The front seats are well-padded and power-adjustable, and the CLA's synthetic leather is easily mistaken for the real thing. Heated and ventilated seats are optional. The AMG trims feature sport seats, which are bolstered for better support during hard cornering. You might expect the CLA's swoopy, coupe-like roofline to compromise rear-seat headroom, but that's not really the case. Legroom is a bit tight, however, for adults. The three-passenger fold-down rear bench seat is split 40/20/40, and the pass-throughs to the trunk add significant versatility. The CLA has 11.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which is significantly smaller than the trunk of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The Audi A3 offers 10 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Mercedes-Benz CLA's infotainment system isn't the industry's most intuitive, but it is easy to learn and packed with features. The CLA's horizontally mounted 7-inch screen seems a bit small, however, you can control the system with a console-mounted touchpad, voice commands, steering wheel controls, or by touching the screen itself. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported. Augmented reality navigation that identifies nearby buildings and spells out directions on live video is available. A larger 10.25-inch screen is a $1,200 option. It's worth it. The premium Burmeister audio system sounds great and is another good value for $850.

2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA Interior Photos

Safety

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA has not been crash tested or safety rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

CLA does offer a very comprehensive list of the latest driver-assistance systems. Standard safety technologies include automated emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and crosswind assist. Optional safety and driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, active steering assist, evasive steering assist, active braking assist with cross-traffic functionality, and active lane-keeping assist.

Best Compact Luxury Sedans for 2021

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Ranked 13th in TrueCar's Best Compact Luxury Sedans

#13
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Starting at $39,250
#1
Volvo S60 Recharge
Starting at $48,695
#2
Audi S3
Starting at $45,945
#3
Polestar 2
Starting at $61,200
#4
Tesla Model 3
Starting at $43,190
#5
Volvo S60
Starting at $40,295
#6
BMW 4 Series
Starting at $46,195
#7
Cadillac CT4
Starting at $34,590

Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. the Competition

Overall, the Mercedes CLA impresses. With a starting price below $40,000, it still delivers the impeccable design, engineering, and craftsmanship we expect from the brand. It's a true Mercedes-Benz with a glamorous four-door coupe shape, an elegant cabin with high-end amenities, and three powerful engine options. It isn't the best performing Mercedes sedan out there, but it's quick, engaging to drive, and offers big smiles per miles. Top rivals include the BMW 228i Gran Coupe, which is a bit more fun to drive than the CLA, and the all-new Audi A3, which has a significantly lower base price than either the Benz or the Bimmer.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Owner Reviews

Based on 98 Reviews

Overall Satisfaction

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

All Reviews

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

Styling and performance

cons

Nothing really

Submitted by Ling T on May 15, 2021|2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG CLA 45 4MATIC|Purchased on Apr 2021

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

Quality craftsmanship, luxury and sport.

cons

Nothing, and don’t anticipate anything.

Submitted by Anonymous Author on May 10, 2021|2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG CLA 35 4MATIC|Purchased on Apr 2021

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

Everything

cons

Driver/back passenger seat and comfort space for leg room

Submitted by LaKeisha C on Apr 29, 2021|2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA CLA 250 4MATIC|Purchased on Mar 2021

View All 98 Reviews

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The Starting Market Average is a proprietary mathematical calculation based on actual recent transactions. It provides a statistically accurate understanding of what other buyers are paying for the least expensive configuration of this vehicle. Adjustments to the calculation beyond make, model, and trim are normalized based on detailed, anonymized transaction information. This accounts for the fact that most or all recently-sold vehicles included different option combinations. The data underlying the Starting Market Average calculation are filtered for extreme outliers and subjected to a weighted averaging process that considers factors such as the recency of transactions and the timing of data lags. In certain instances, the calculated result is adjusted to take account of abrupt changes in the market that may not yet be fully reflected by recent transaction prices. In all cases where the Starting Market Average is shown there is sufficient sample size and transaction detail to be statistically reliable.