The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the most affordable car in the Mercedes lineup now that the smaller, less expensive A-Class has been dropped in the U.S. market. Being the first step on the totem pole of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the CLA still offers the sense of luxury and refinement that is associated with the brand.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small four-door sedan with a fastback roofline that gives it a sleek coupe-style look. Inside, the CLA delivers the features, tech, and classy feel that buyers expect from Mercedes-Benz. And depending on trim level, the CLA can be had with more than 400 horsepower.

The current CLA has been around since 2020, but for 2024, the CLA gets a light refresh that includes a reworked front end with a revised grille along with a tweaked rear end that flexes a new diffuser. Also new is a mild-hybrid system that increases horsepower on the base CLA250 model by 13 horsepower.

The CLA 250 that I am this week has the look and feel of larger Mercedes but in a small-size sedan and at a relatively affordable price. While some onlookers may not know the model or trim level, everyone will easily recognize it for being a vehicle from the luxurious German automaker.

Though it’s one of the least expensive models in the lineup, the cabin of the CLA-class is nothing short of being a Mercedes-Benz. The center stack is clean and modern, with a trio of artful circular air vents taking center stage. The standard 10.3-inch display that sits above the vents is controlled by a touchpad-equipped steering wheel or by the touchscreen itself. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard on every CLA-class.

When it comes to room, the CLA’s front seats are very comfortable and spacious. In the backseat, the CLA’s size and shape comes into play as there is limited headroom due to the car’s sloping roofline. In the trunk, there is 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. That space can be accessed from the back seat thanks to the back seats 40/20/40 folding rear seat design.

Every CLA is fitted with a turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that powers either the front wheels or all the wheels with Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system. But the amount of power made is determined by the trim level. My CLA250 makes 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front wheel drive is standard, with the 4Matic system available as an option. The AMG models come standard with the 4Matic system along with much more power – the AMG CLA 35 make 302 hp, and 296 lb-ft of torque while the top-trim AMG CLA 45 S makes 416 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque – an increase of 34 hp from last year. The CLA250 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, whereas the AMG models use an eight speed.

While I’m sure the AMG models are a blast to drive, the CLA250 I was in delivered an excellent balance of comfort and performance, along with some fun. Power is strong, even in base form, and my unscientific seat-of-the-pants tester guestimates a 0 to 60 mph time in about 6 seconds. Handling feels polished, with nicely calibrated steering and minimum body roll when cornering. And thanks to four different drive modes, you have the ability to tailor the car’s performance to suit your preferences. I can see where some may feel the ride is on the firm side, but it’s not too bad and hardly a price to pay for the performance being delivered.

Being that the CLA250 is an entry level vehicle and is aimed at budget-minded driver, fuel economy could play a major role in a buyer’s decision. The EPA rates the front-wheel drive CLA250 at 25 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive models drop to 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 starts at $44,450. That is right about the average price of new car in 2024. And while the CLA-class is categorized as an entry-level Mercedes, it is a good representative of what we’ve come to expect from the German luxury marque and is well deserving of wearing the iconic three-pointed star..
– Christopher A. Randazzo

By The Numbers:

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4Matic

Base Price: $45,200.00
Price as Tested: $53,705.00
Layout: front-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 2.0 turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Horsepower: 221 hp
Torque: 258 lb-ft
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city / 33 mpg highway