2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Price Range: $43,200 - $65,400 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 45 S Sedan Exterior. European Model Shown.

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 Sedan Exterior

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21 Owner Reviews

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$40,947

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2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

byDan Frio^{Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Generous list of standard features
Luxury badging at a reasonable price
Enjoyable performance from AMG CLA 35 and 45 models

Cons

Less rear seat space than many rivals
Options quickly escalate price

What's new

Refreshed front and rear styling
Base and top trims get more power
New standard features include heated seats, larger displays and automated parking
Part of the second CLA generation introduced for 2020

Overview

The second-most affordable car in the Mercedes lineup, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small four-door sedan with a sleek coupe-style look. A fastback roofline signals sporty intentions, and with more than 400 horsepower, the CLA can indeed get sporty. Inside, the CLA delivers the features, tech and classy feel that buyers expect from Mercedes. A budget Benz, this is not. For 2024, the CLA does some catching up, adding new standard features and more power to boost its appeal alongside capable rivals. The vibrant new Hyper Blue color is also a welcome splash in an otherwise monochromatic palette.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$177/mo

$176/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Edmunds spotlight: Closing the gap

The race for supremacy in a tight group of small sport sedans finds the (mostly) European brands often leap-frogging one another with new designs and features. Four years after substantial second-generation improvements, the CLA shows new style up front (mesh grille, subtle lower fascia tweaks) with a new rear diffuser out back. But power and feature upgrades really vault the CLA back into the lead. A new electric motor helps the turbo engine generate more power: an extra 13 horsepower in the CLA 250 base trim. The top-trim AMG CLA 45 S also gets a power bump this year, up by 34 hp. The CLA's larger displays, wireless smartphone charging and connections, and additional driver aids also heighten its appeal for 2024.

Competitors to consider

Not surprisingly, Mercedes' European rivals have an answer for the CLA. The Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe both offer joyous, responsive performance and similar features. Despite its smaller size, the BMW offers roughly the same roominess and a larger trunk. The Volvo S60 is slightly longer, roomier and more powerful, with a timeless look, not unlike the A3. The aging Lexus IS 300 still promises fun rear-wheel-drive exploits, while the Tesla Model 3 makes a compelling case to go all-electric.

Which CLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

The AMG models are a blast to drive, and if you enjoy stomping the gas and turning fast corners, they're worth consideration. We'd suggest the CLA 35 because its 302-hp engine is plenty fast and the smaller wheels improve ride quality compared to the CLA 45. But if you just want an effective balance of snappy performance and Mercedes class, we like the CLA 250. Plentiful standard features make even a base-level CLA 250 a compelling deal, but dozens of bundled and stand-alone options allow you to equip the car to taste. The Driver Assistance package is a worthy addition for basic self-driving-ish features (a boon for rush-hour commuters). We'd also seriously consider the upgraded Burmester surround-sound system.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA is offered in three trim levels: CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45 S. All three come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at increasing power levels. The CLA 250 is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (Mercedes' 4Matic), while the more powerful and performance-tuned AMG versions come standard with all-wheel drive.

CLA 250
The CLA 250 comes equipped with standard features including:

Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque)
Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
LED headlights
18-inch wheels
Panoramic sunroof
Heated side mirrors
Synthetic leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters
Customizable ambient cabin lighting

Standard technology features and advanced driver aids include:

Remote engine start via smartphone app
10.25-inch digital instrument display
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system display
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Voice assistant
Five USB-C ports
Wireless smartphone charger
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the CLA and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Safe exit assist (can prevent passengers from opening a door into traffic, cyclists or pedestrians approaching from behind)
Automatic high beams

AMG CLA 35
Equipped for sportier driving, the AMG CLA 35 adds:

High-output turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (302 hp, 295 lb-ft)
Performance-tuned eight-speed transmission
All-wheel drive
Sport exhaust system
18-inch AMG design wheels
Sport-tuned suspension
Upgraded brakes
Sportier body styling
Burmester surround-sound system

AMG CLA 45 S
Builds on the AMG CLA 35 with:

Higher-output turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (416 hp, 369 lb-ft)
19-inch wheels
Sport-tuned all-wheel-drive system

Numerous option packages are available for the CLA. For the CLA 250, they include:

AMG Night package

AMG body styling
18-inch wheels with black accents
Gloss black exterior trim
Diamond-pattern grille
Sport seats with synthetic suede trim
Sport steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters

Exclusive package

Navigation system with augmented video overlay
Upgraded audio system
Illuminated doorsills

Pinnacle package

Exclusive package features
Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Head-up display
Infotainment gesture control

Driver Assistance package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CLA and the car in front, can also react to traffic signs and set speed)
Lane change assistance (when cruise control is on, can automatically change lanes after driver activates turn signal for several seconds)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)

The CLA 35 and CLA 45 can also add the following packages:

AMG Aerodynamics package

Black performance-oriented body kit

AMG Night Package Plus

AMG Night package plus black badges and dark-tinted grille

AMG Performance Seat/Performance Seat Advanced package

AMG multi-contour heated front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support
Ventilated front seats (Performance Seat Advanced)

The CLA is available with stand-alone options, such as:

Burmester surround-sound system
Adaptive suspension
AMG-tuned electronically adjustable sport suspension
Nappa leather-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel (AMG models only)
Heated steering wheel
Leather upholstery
Wood interior trim
Ultra high-performance Pirelli tires

Save as much as $4,306 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class pricing in Columbus, OH

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.7

21 reviews

5(57%)

4(9%)

3(0%)

2(10%)

1(24%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

A COMPLETELY NEW CLA

TOM, 05/20/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I recently traded my old 2016 CLA 250 for a new 2020 CLA 250. Although I was happy with my 2016 the new model is totally different and substantially better. The previous negative review must have been out of the USA (and was a 2019 model) since MB doesn't even sell the 220 model in the US. I have had mine for 6 months and love it. It is significantly quieter and quicker and has a …

Awesome Car

Pharoah 2020, 02/07/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

This car is really great so far. Swift acceleration, loaded with technology, and beautiful looking body

Great Car

this is a great car, 07/07/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

easy driving, comfortable, good pick up, looks great

Styling, Hi-Tech Sold Me

Pete G, 07/16/2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I picked this particular Mercedes because it is a beautiful design and offers the same driver assistance features as the high end MB models: standard brake assist, lane keeping, front and rear cameras and sensors, blind spot and rear side warning. I added the optional full assist package with 360 “cameras” road sign reading and speed adjust, etc. On a well marked highway the car will … drive itself indefinitely with just a finger on the wheel. A tap on the turn signal stalk gets an automatic lane change when it’s clear ….. very convenient and I use the feature often. But styling alone would sell me on the car. The CLA looks especially good from the rear quarter where the curved roofline joins the simple curves of the lower body. The interior is years ahead of mid range MB models and competitors with a continuous multipart screen that covers most of the dash. The infotainment controls are doubly or even triply redundant with touch screen, steering wheel, and a pad controls for most functions. It is so much easier to use while driving than the iDrive system in my BMW that I actually use most of its features. There is a voice activated assist that gets simple commands right, but copes poorly with anything beyond that. For example trying to get the odometer reading bu asking (to avoid changing any of the driver’s three info screens to see the odometer), proved impossible. The promised computer learning curve so far, in over a year, is close to flat. The standard powered front seats are comfortable and roomy for average height people. Good leg room with thigh support extensions, but sexy styling provides minimal head room. Rear seat suffers more and space is very limited but we don’t use the CLA if we have more than two adults in the car. Engine performance is good. Turbo boost comes in smoothly, but the dual clutch 7 speed transmission is often jerky and hesitant while driving in traffic. It has three performance settings with comfort setting the default. I drive in sport setting in traffic because low gears are held longer and there are fewer shifts made. Any good manual driver will shift more smoothly than than this transmission. The CLA comes with more standard features than comparable BMW offerings but doesn’t offer equal performance. It is the “luxury” alternative and has an interior that beats most, if not all of its competitors as well as higher line models. Give this car a traditional torque converter transmission and I would give it 5 Stars.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the CLA-Class since its last redesign.

See all 21 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

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2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Features Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

CLA 250

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$43,200
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$177/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs. Audi A3

The A3 is slightly smaller than the CLA, but it's surprisingly roomy inside. The rear seats offer more head- and legroom, although the CLA is more generous with its front passengers. The Audi's extra room also comes at the expense of some trunk space (about 0.5 cubic foot smaller than the Mercedes). Many of the CLA's upgrades this year — larger touchscreen, heated seats — diminish some of the A3's earlier advantages, but the Audi is a bit more fuel-efficient, offers standard real leather upholstery, and remains seriously fun to drive.

Compare Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class & Audi A3 features

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs. Lexus IS 300

The IS 300 and CLA cost about the same and offer many similar features. The Lexus adds a few extras, such as adaptive cruise control, but its sporty rear-wheel-drive layout is the real reason to consider it. Compared to the front-wheel-drive CLA, the IS 300 offers more traditional tail-happy sports car fun. If you need all-wheel drive, both cars offer it. The IS 300 hasn't been redesigned in nearly 10 years, though, and it's showing its age. The CLA delivers a more stylish and modern-looking design with superior tech.

Compare Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class & Lexus IS 300 features

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs. Tesla Model 3

You could consider the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (more on that above) another alternative to the CLA, but the Model 3 is a left-field consideration if you're curious about going fully electric. Both cars start around the same price, although the Tesla comes with standard features that cost extra on the CLA. The Tesla is also roomier, with twice the trunk space, despite being the same size. The Model 3's 272-mile estimated range should be sufficient for most around-town driving and commuting, and if you travel, you're backed by Tesla's best-in-class charging network.

Compare Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class & Tesla Model 3 features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite CLA-Class safety features:

Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call Service: Complimentary for as long as you own the CLA, this standard feature equips the car with an SOS button that connects you to a live operator if you need assistance.
Pre-Safe Sound: When a collision is unavoidable, this technology emits a special tone through the stereo speakers to protect your hearing.
Active Emergency Stop Assist: When using the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping system, this technology detects an unresponsive driver and brings the CLA to a safe stop.

FAQ

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 CLA-Class both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 CLA-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 21 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the CLA-Class has 11.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Learn more

What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class:

Refreshed front and rear styling
Base and top trims get more power
New standard features include heated seats, larger displays and automated parking
Part of the second CLA generation introduced for 2020

Learn more

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliable?

To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the CLA-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the CLA-Class's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 CLA-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 21 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 CLA-Class is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

The least-expensive 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $43,200.

Other versions include:

CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) which starts at $43,200
CLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) which starts at $45,200
AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) which starts at $54,950
AMG CLA 45 S 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $65,400

Learn more

What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, the next question is, which CLA-Class model is right for you? CLA-Class variants include CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM), CLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM), AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM), and AMG CLA 45 S 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM). For a full list of CLA-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Pricing

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Closing the gap

Competitors to consider

Which CLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

Save as much as $4,306 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.

Edmunds suggests you pay

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

A COMPLETELY NEW CLA

Awesome Car

Great Car

Styling, Hi-Tech Sold Me

Helpful shopping links

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Features Specs

Compare the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs. Audi A3

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs. Lexus IS 300

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs. Tesla Model 3

Safety

Our experts’ favorite CLA-Class safety features:

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class First Impressions

FAQ

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a good car?

What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliable?

Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

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