2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ( Overview ). HIGHS
– Handsome styling, reasonably upscale interior, plenty of tech.
LOWS
– Cramped rear quarters, unexciting performance.
VERDICT
– The CLA-class can be categorized as an entry-level Mercedes, but it’s happily representative of what we’ve come to expect from the German luxury marque.
What is the CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a luxury four-door coupe-style sedan that offers plenty of amenities. The CLA is Mercedes’ entry-level sedan and second most affordable vehicle overall in its lineup after the GLA SUV. The fastback roofline gives this sedan an attractive, sporty style, while interior features and technology provide the luxury feel associated with the Mercedes brand.
For 2024, this sporty sedan gets some updates. For starters, and most noticeably, the CLA gets a face-lift. The front fascia receives a new design, a new grille and revised headlights. At the rear, changes are minimal, with the diffuser and taillights receiving the most noticeable update. The CLA is powered by a respectable 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and for 2024, Mercedes has added a 48-volt hybrid system to the engine to deliver a boost of 13 more hp. Inside the cabin, the 2024 CLA now comes standard with 10.25-inch multimedia displays running the updated MBUX infotainment system, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is newly standard.
Opting for the CLA won’t quite give you everything that higher-priced models might, but there are several option packages to choose from, and that’s without getting into the pricier AMG trim territory. The updates the 2024 model receives are sure to make the CLA an even more alluring choice for anyone in the market for a more attainably priced sporty-looking sedan. If you want to look at similar options, be sure to check out the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Lexus IS 300 and Tesla Model 3.
