Used 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2016 CLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the CLA-Class since its last redesign.
Red Ryder rides off into the Sunset
sumgai, 06/16/2014
updated 06/27/2019
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
11 of 19 people found this review helpful
April 2019 The CLA is sold at the behest of my wife, for whom it was purchased. Price paid incl tax tag and $899 prepaid 4 year maintenance $35000 Sale to Carmax $15,500 they marked it up to $20,998. 27,000 miles, no other costs of ownership for 5 years. one battery (free) one dirty electrical plug repair (threw a cel) free. MB plan to wow us to buy a more expensive Benz: fail. Will never buy another. It's not that MB is bad, it's just every other car maker has upped their game, and provides more car for less money. Example: We bought a new Z06: $83k for a car that MB wants twice as much for, to provide the same performance. Der Preis ist zu Teuer. December 2018 I recently bought a new 2018 RAV4 Adventure on 20% clearance pricing. Cheap, yet it has sound deadening front windshield glass, passenger standing height chair seating, plenty of sound deadening material inside so the rear hatch does not sound like a bass drum, gearing which gives it zip for interstate passing, a real sunroof that opens/closes inside the roof, and, most importantly for crazy mean streets driving: it has a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance warning, blind spot monitoring, and reversing sonar warning for idjits that pay no attention to your reverse lights. It is quieter than the CLA250, music sounds better. It has AWD with locking center differential for real 4wd capability. The RAV4 has a port injection motor, which cleans the valves in the engine; the CLA250 has a direct injection (DI) motor, which does NOT clean the valves in the engine. DI will start degrading performance due to crud buildup on the back of the valves starting around 60,000 miles (out of warranty), and it is expensive to clean the valves by the dealer. The RAV4 is not as sporty handling as the CLA, but I now have a C7 Vette replacing the C6 Z06 for the twisty bits anyhow. The RAV4 is simply a better car than the CLA, and cheaper. Fit and Finish from this Canadian built Toyota is better than the Hungarian built CLA250. The CLA gets better real mileage, 33 mpg vice 25 mpg for the RAV4 (a heavier car with full-time AWD.) The CLA will soldier on, it is my wife's car, but even she prefers the RAV4 for our many trips between FL and Va. Sorry MB, you rested too long on ancient laurels. Ratings moved from Outstanding to average for the CLA 250; I've now seen better for less money. Didn't intend to diss the CLA, but Edmunds asked me to update my review. June 2018. Took me four years to realize the rear seats folded, more convenience, ha ha. December 2017 Had some laps this period, 2 one thousand mile in a day trips round-tripping between va and fl. Big Red, its stablemate, (a Tundra which only gets 14-15 mpg) was not needed for hauling so we used the CLA. 37 mpg whoo hoo! scoots along i95 at 77mph just a sippin that gas. no scheduled or unexpected service visits. I see the car is still dissed by the press. I won't pretend my words will change anyone's opinion. But a smart feller might look through the press fog of FUD and see a bargain in a used CLA 250, especially with the MB extended used car warranty and maintenance deal! We are keeping ours. June 2017 It's a Benz, as reliable as all the other 3 pointed stars our family has owned since 1962. It is the only Benz i've ever wanted to take to a track and toss it around. Just feels like a go-kart, close to the road and one with it. We love it! Cons: Turbo lag causes slingshot effect. push the accelerator, nothing, then thuwack! color me gone. Tire of having to switch off the auto engine turnoff feature at stoplights. Just another form of lag from a start. Manual hood strut is really chintzy on a $30K+ car. Proximity sensor too sensitive - Goes off too often when I am driving - My wife says "what was that?" I say it is just the car bitching at my driving. I don't need both a wife and a car criticizing my driving! Ate a battery after 1.5 years, replaced with free MB roadside assistance under warranty. Have to turn off the auto wipers...in Fort Lauderdale you get a coating on the car from a combination of sea air and near 100% humidity. At night when it gets cooler you get condensation on the car, which the sensor interprets as rain and activates the wipers: big streaks of goo on the windshield until you use the washers to clean. And whats up with that screen? It is like Mercedes engineers said "Ve haf to have a screen like all other cars, but ve don't know vat to do with it!" I get more information from the DIC between the instrument pods. Radio is a PIA to program or even search/scan for HD stations. Missing? Rearview camera which was only a part of an expensive upgrade option in 2014. But it's a small car so no expanse of sheet metal unseen without a camera. Are these game changing complaints? No, these are simply nits I'm picking in a near perfect car for us.
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Best Care I've owned
J. Philipp Othmer, 02/10/2016
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA45 AMG 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car is flat-out amazing. Everything I'd wanted and hoped this car to be was present. In spades. First, however, is "the ache" for "what you want..." I'd characterize this as "the mainstream model...just not being enough." So, among segment players, that'd be Audi A4, BMW 328i/x, Mercedes C250 or C300; Volvo S60. I'd also include the "next step up," e.g. base A6, BMW 5 series, Mercedes E350; (maybe Volvo S80 re: size). The characteristic lacking is they feel under-powered. And so, for those who feel similarly, the car gods created the Audi S4/ S6; or 3.0 A6. There's BMW 335's/535's, and (was only C350..2 door in 4matic in US).... The gap and emptiness in the heart filled to over-flowing is "all the functionality" of the base series above, but with >300hp (in smaller car); 4 doors, AWD, space--and just performance, driving dynamics, exhiliration. The AMG CLA45 just rules. -- Power for price point: WoW. Its beyond BMW 335; instead in range of M3. And its a Mercedes. They give you free day AMG racing academy if you buy one new; but its worth the 1K in education and perspective out-of-pocket. If you're like the "rest of the world," and "just happen to not be cross-shopping other AMG's" and be disappointed it doesn't sound like a V8/V12 gas guzzler's of old...don't be. CLA45 is right in the middle of the pack with the other AMG's. Still can't believe how hard they had us drive the whole fleet of AMG's. Didn't know you could drive cars that hard. Would never drive my own that hard---but nice to know you could!
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2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class for sale near you
Showing 3 of 17 listings
- CLA 250 4MATIC SedanMSRP: $13,785138 mi away
- AMG CLA 45 SedanMSRP: $19,777143 mi away
- CLA 250 4MATIC SedanMSRP: $14,997149 mi away
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True Review Based on 3-yr Daily Experience
Isabella, 01/23/2018
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My car, 2015 CLA250 4MATIC, has Sport Plus option (what they also call "AMG edition") with suede+leather seats with red seatbelts and painted with designo matte silver w/ red highlights. It definitely looks exotic and I have had compliments from people throughout the lease term. With sport plus package which is supposed to include sporty upgrade to the performance overall, this car is awesome with great acceleration and breaks! Car doesn't feel light but it does all the jobs as if it's feather-light. I can definitely feel the power and traction control. I LOVED my CLA all the time! One time, though, my car wouldn't turn on all of sudden with dashboard alert message saying "4MATIC Issue. Please see dealer," and it turned out certain part related to 4MATIC (AWD) had to be ordered directly from Germany and replaced, having to tow my car to the dealer, get the loaner, and waiting for about a week until I got my car back. The other time this alert message with alert sound popped on the dashboard, saying "coolant issue. Please stop driving and call dealer" so I had to go to nearest shopping center, park, and call which led to towing to the dealer again. They replaced the part that connects coolant container and got fixed pretty fast for this one. Both issues were covered under warranty. I had seriously considered buying this leased car since I was just in so much love with every bit of this car, but since those issues had raised, I got too scared to keep it maintenance-wise, so I am returning this car back to Mercedes dealer the day after tomorrow (end of lease). I am not sure if I had just been unlucky or the model itself was way too new back then, but I am so in love with my first experience with Mercedes overall, so I just purchased C43 AMG Coupe to continue my journey with Mercedes ;)
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I no longer own any MBZ!!
Carl Hawthorne, 02/15/2017
updated 08/19/2019
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Is not comfortable for large people! Car llines and looks are spectacular, looking more like a high priced high performance car. I have had more positive comments regarding the look of this car than car I have have ever owned! Best Buy for your buck!! Thanks
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Perfect sports car
Max, 06/15/2018
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA45 AMG 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned 2008 M3 and 2012 Porsche Boxter S. My current car has been 14 CLA45. It beats them all in terms of ride quality. It is so quick and agile. It launches fast. In comfort mode, it turns into a great daily commuter. Make sure to get it with AMG exhaust. Head turner for sure!
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CLA250 Sport Plus
Cristian DC, 05/25/2020
updated 05/31/2022
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
7 years on the road, no issues. The sport plus package is a must, improving aesthetics, suspension, grip and even exhaust sounds
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Not a Mercedes Guy..
jc3513, 06/29/2015
updated 01/03/2017
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I'm not a Mercedes guy at all, in fact I can care less about the name brand itself. BUT - that said I love this car! I did have a problem with the COMAND system that I found to be unacceptable so early on, but it hasn't reoccurred and if it doesn't all may be forgiven. Otherwise, the interior (Sport + trim w/suspension) is breath taking! I mean the stuff that attracts flies if you know what I mean. The seat belts are red!! (I nearly crapped myself when I first saw that) My biggest disappointment is the 7Logic Harmon Kardon surround system; horrible with lows (no bass at all). I've had to learn to appreciate bass-less music and once you do its a hell of a system! UPDATE (6/30/16): So far no regrets, did have a minor issue (e.g. gas cap door replaced) though. The car performs well, I have the upgraded sport exhaust and let me tell you it sounds AMAZING out on the highways! The in car tech is great,...music via bluetooth sounds better than local files on the SD card. The COMAND (infotainment) has a strong processor because it moves fast with zero hesitation even while using navi maps. I have to plug the excellent service from Mercedes-Benz of Orlando (Maitland), SECOND TO NONE and I'm serious! The way they treat me I feel certain to buy another car from them....that good! Reasonable Doubts: Those run-flat tires are suspect....gone thru two already and they are NOT cheap! UPDATE (12/30/16): I love this car,....but the tires are just too expensive. I have the Sport + package (aka AMG Line) w/run flat Dunlop sport-maxx tires and boy are they both sensitive to the road and expensive to replace! I've gone through a total of 5 tires now, $408 a piece (two covered by warranty). Other than that, the car is amazing, no problems with it at all and Mercedes-Benz of Orlando has been nothing short of EXCELLENT in my opinion. Those guys and gals have it together! Performance wise, the car sounds like a dream (exhaust note) and the steering is phenomenal! The braking power is on this thing is amazing but the cost to replace is not, so don't go crazy!
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Fun car
Al, 05/23/2018
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
With the runflats noisy ride on course pavement. Very fun to drive. Transmission works very well in auto sport mode. Paddles a little slow and auto normal a bit sluggish. Great mileage 40+ on the highway at 75-80mph. Fun in the Twisties and we'll planted with great steering. Sporty little car with sporty ride not the typical quiet Benz.
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Nice design particulary the front side.
Ed Reyes, 04/07/2016
2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
It's been a month that I owned this car, so far so good I don't have any problem or concern. I'll let you know in a year.
Too Good 2 Be True
Shannon Munoz, 05/23/2016
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
6 of 10 people found this review helpful
After a few hundred miles the right back speaker was broke. At 13,000 miles I had to replace all 4 tires due to excessive wear. At 14,500 miles the sunroof broke. The inside noise is loud and the interior vibrates. I made a mistake in trading my perfectly good C300 for this car!!!
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