Used 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Consumer Reviews

Perfect car for me

Over the years I have driven a bmw, Porsche, Saab, and several infinitis, the last a g35 coupe. It was a great, fun, fast car, but also uncomfortable inside and a gas guzzler. My new mercedes cla 250 doesn't have nearly the power, and the transmission in the economy mode is clunky, but it handles nicely, gets good gas mileage (I'm averaging 26.5 in the city), and is a great looking little car. If you turn off economy mode, the car is perkier and handles just fine. I hardly ever drive with anyone in the back seat, so its cramped nature bothers me not, especially after the coupe! At this stage in my life I don't want a big gas guzzling car, just a spiffy, well made, fun machine, and this one fits the bill. After one year I still love this car. We just returned from a 1,600 mile road trip, averaging 40 mpg! One day we even got 48. My husband, who drives a big SUV, really enjoyed the car on the highway. It is plenty peppy for passing, handles well and smoothly and is quiet. One year Another year has gone by and I’m still happy with my purchase. I should mention that I’m not that interested in the car’s technology, which I understand is sub par for a Mercedes. Also, this car is not for someone who wants speed. This is a small, unpretentious car with great handling and excellent fuel mileage....just what I want. Plus, it’s quite nice to look at. I still enjoy this car at 6 years old. It just turned over 30,000 miles and has been trouble free and pleasant to drive. I just drove it on a 1400 mile road trip, averaging 39.2 mpg! My car is now 8 years old and still a peach. Trouble free, only 36,000 miles, in great condition. I could drive it for a long time more although I am getting that new car itch….but why buy?

2nd CLA

We bought a bare-bones CLA the first year it came out. We were so impressed with it that after two years, we traded it in for a 2016 adding all the features we think it needs. We also bought it using European delivery and is currently waiting for it's arrival in Baltimore. First of all, the design of the car is what got us. We had E-classes before so weren't looking for an entry into the luxury segment. This is a car that seems to be designed as a unit as opposed to say the new C-class where the front and the rear look like they are from two separate cars. Our original was in a stunning Jupiter red with sun roof, Bi-xenon lights, the Becker GPS, walnut trim. The 2016 has several standard options which were not standard before but instead part of an expensive package Our new car is 4-matic (wasn't available before), same sun roof, walnut (with beige interior, wish there was a lighter color option) bi-xenon, rear-view camera (really missed this as we have it in our other cars), Apply-Carplay (wasn't available before), Garmin GPS (hated the Becker unit and looking forward to seeing Garmin maps but after playing with Apply Carplay in Germany when we picked it up, we might use Google map instead so the Garmin may not be necessary), the sport suspension package (out other car is a 911 so anything that hints at better handling would be great) and Blind Side assist. The BSA is really important because when my wife moves her seat to a comfortable position, it completely blocks the view from the rear side window and with the sloping roof, this is a problem. Also, the driver side pillar blocks cars as well which is not good. When we drove it in Germany, it feels faster than ours and much smoother. There is plenty of power and driving-wise much faster than what I expect a 200hp car has. What we will really really miss about our first CLA is the gas mileage. My wife and I really enjoy seeing our MPG at 38-39 which is remarkable. I understand with 4-matic that will likely go down quite a bit but with the aerodynamic of the car, this car cruises down a hill really fast and we end up using the brakes a lot because you end up passing most cars and going too fast on downhills. On thing that we hate about the 2016 are the standard rims that go with the 17inch wheels. They are butt-ugly and look like simple cut-outs from a sheet of metal. Guess that's how they get you to upgrade to 18inch wheels. Don't want 18 inch as we do highway driving and don't want low profile tires and also we had a set of 4 17inch Blizzaks at home that we plan to use. We decided to buy a new set from Tire Rack Overall, my wife and I really love this car. it's meant to my wife to drive around town but we ended up using it for all our long trips and now with 4-matic, we can do this over the winter also. With this purchase, we plan to keep this car for a long time.

The two destinies

The CLA does not seem to garner much praise or love . It’s often disparaged as a poor rendering of the rest of the Mercedes family . It’s the black sheep of the family people would have you believe . I am a car guy , always have been since I was a small boy dreaming of the kind of fun , and cool car I would own when I was old enough . I have owned over 30 cars in my time , all sorts of Volvo’s including the Bertone , every BMW , all sorts of Mercedes my favorite being a 1989 560 sec that I had for a long time . Wagons , sedan , coupes even an SUV . I bought the Mercedes CLA while looking for a replacement SUV ... I drove the car and fell in love with the way it looked ... After all we love everything with our eyes first and that was no different with the CLA .There is an expectation that the CLA should drive and feel like an E class sedan , well it doesn’t , I had one and it’s wonderful but an E class isn’t as nimble or as fun and it’s more isolating and numb .. That’s not a bad thing but you can’t compare the CLA to an E class or a CLS or anything else . The CLA is quick, nimble , and a blast to drive , add the panoramic roof the upgraded sound and the 4 matic and you have a great car ... Yes it thumps over bumps , it turns quickly , goes fast , it more sport than sedan...so give it some love .... it’s a great car, and today , it’s about value , the CLA is value , and it’s under appreciated , but not by me !

Lovin my MB 250 CLA

I find the driver's seat somewhat hard...............suggestion, use leather as opposed to "Leatherette." Other than that, i'm very satisfied so far.........

Car is 2 and 1/2 years old

Don't pay any attention to the negatives for this car. It's a typical Mercedes. Well thought out design and great to drive with great looks. I have never enjoyed a car so much. Great performance and handling. The big surprise has been the gas mileage, 36-38 MPH on a trip!

Worst Mecedes - Kept for less than a year

This is not going to try to explain that the least expensive Mercedes Benz is comparable to better cars I've owned. I think the reasons why you'd pick this car over it's competition (A3, 228i) are mostly a matter of personal taste and priorities. In this case, attractive lines and styling and a terrific stereo. Their Premium package adds a lot of the must-have features in my opinion, so that's probably something to consider. Driving the car is a disappointment- the transmission shifts are rough, seat comfort is poor, and it picks up a lot of road noise. This is a car for someone that does not enjoy driving as much as how they look driving. Back seats are useless, no coat hook, no headroom and no legroom. Fit and finish are not up to par - you know you are in a cheap car after diving it around for a while. The hope perhaps is that you would be so distracted with the odd and obnoxiously large info-screen that seems to be a design afterthought, and admittedly a great stereo. If I were 19, this is a good car. Can you get a loaded VW TDI or Mustang for the less money? Yes of course. Is a 228 or an A3 more fun to drive - yes.

Attractive Car but with minor flaws

Sporty car with good agile handling. The size of this car makes racing a natural. The stiff suspension is based on personal preference. Since it's a sports coupe category it shouldn't be a problem for most.

Just another sedan

Disappointed in performance beyond the test drive. Skates in the rain, very uncomfortable interior for men over 5’9”, not worth the increased maintenance cost, high $ damage in the slightest bump Unlike older models (think parking garage), etc. Will look for another make when affordable to trade.

First time lease

Let me begin by saying this is my first new car, ever. This is my first Mercedes & luxury vehicle. I am accustomed to the Mazda3 & GMC work truck...that being said, anything new is a significant step up so take this review with a grain of salt. For a "basic" CLA250 model I am impressed with the gorgeous bodylines & technology. The keyless entry has become common, but for me this is new & so convenient. There are 4 or maybe 5 different driving settings. I'm not a huge car person but I was so impressed by the significant changes I could feel by switching mode from comfort to sport or ECO. This car is very polished inside & out. I scored a great lease special, be sure to look out for them online. I assumed this was not doable & I would get a new Mazda3 or something practical...so happy I "splurged" (mind you, my payments are LESS then my USED Mazda3). I got a really amazing car, to me at least. Even my grandparents who have been frequent Mercedes customers, loved my new "beginner model" CLA 250 inside & out. Side note, I am a petite girl...this vehicle suits me perfectly! My boyfriend is 6'2 & he says he fits comfortably in the passenger seat however when the sea is that far back it is difficult to have ample visibility when backing up. lol.

I love everything about driving this car!!!

I got this car fully loaded as a birthday gift from my husband August 2015. I love driving it and it will go. Its excellent on gas we've made two trips to thr south part of Georgia so far. It took hardly no gas. It's hard for me to drive my CTS now. Not because of the comfort, because the CTS is definitely comfortable. But the CTS feel heavy after you drive the CLA all the time. I have no complaints. The only thing I would change is the material that the storage compartments are made from. But overall I love this car!!!

MBZ Girl Loves This Car!

Do your due diligence, of course, before buying any vehicle-we all know that. I really enjoy this car. I’ve had both a Porsche convertible and a Mercedes sedan prior to Purchasing this CLA250. With the CLA, I enjoy the easy drive and the fact that it’s sporty. It’s a 4-door car with a two-door feel. It has plenty of power, trunk space, and the rear seats fold down. Maintenance is as expected with MB. I love this car!

It just needs a more refined drive

I've had this car now for a few months. I haven't put that many miles on it so I don't know how it will hold up long term, but overall I've been happy. It's great for a young person looking for a small fun car. That said, it does have an extraordinarily rough drive. You feel every single bump in the road, road noise is relatively high and the dual clutch transmission is pretty mediocre (it downshifts randomly sometimes and the manual mode is way to slow to respond). If these three things were fixed, I'd give this car five stars. Oh and also, to everyone those headroom in the back is snug, how often are you driving around with more than two people taller than 5' 10'' for an extended period of time? Because tall people can sit in the front, short people can sit in the back, and it's usually fine. It's not that big a cost for a nice sloping roofline. PROS -phenomenal exterior style -great rear trunk space in its class, particularly with easy to fold second row seats -elegant interior styling -great handling -great fuel economy -fun car -nice sunroof CONS -unacceptably rough and loud ride for its class -mediocre dual clutch transmission that downshifts randomly and has aggravating lag when used manualy -infotainment screen looks like a cheap tacked-on afterthought -infotainment system and voice controls are poorly designed, navigation system subpar to google maps so you won't ever use it even though you wish you could -options overpriced

Almost great!

There are few things to dislike about this car. It’s easiest to say what I don’t like since the list is shorter. I hate the way it shifts. Sloppy. Visibility to the rear is challenging. Rear seat comfort is nil. Trunk lid when open will cause a few headaches if not careful. Carpeting is pretty low class. Plastic I could do without. Everything else may cause you to notice but not mind what you don’t like

I love it!

I came from a C-class and I honestly prefer this model. The low end power is a bit sluggish but the turbo winds up around 1500 rpm and keeps HP and torque coming through 4000 rpm, a perfect range for every day driving. It feels quick if not fast. The suspension is fairly stiff, something not helped by the OEM run-flats, but not uncomfortably so, more in that it can make you nervous when you hit some rough pavement or a pothole. Infotainment and navigation are great and easily navigated. Very pleased with my purchase of this vehicle.

3 months old 8k miles and needs new engine

Car windows wouldn't roll up after purchasing, sunroof stopped working at 6k miles. And at 8k 3 months and two weeks after buying vehicle breaks down( horrible roadside assistance) and am told vehicle needs new engine and repairs can take up to 3 months!!!

Next generation MB is great.

AMG - Ah my God!! I own cla45 amg last 2 years. It is a pocket rocket. This car is light and incredibly fun to drive. AWD is superb in winter. Also the fuel economy is awesome.

Great Car... Strange Standard Features.

This car doesn't come with basic features as a standard option. I somehow ended up with this "robotic" car that doesnt have garage door opener buttons as a basic option. My 13 year old honda pilot and every car since has come with that as a standard feature. How can a luxury car like mercedes not include that... and not even as an optional add on after the fact.. strange.

True Review Based on 3-yr Daily Experience

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 ;)

CLA250 Sport Plus

7 years on the road, no issues. The sport plus package is a must, improving aesthetics, suspension, grip and even exhaust sounds

Not a Mercedes Guy..

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!

Fun car

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.

Nice design particulary the front side.

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

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!!!

Would never buy again

Terrible car, My first and last Mercedes should of sticked with Lexus

Good car but can be further bettered

Gas tank has limited reserve so put gas before the fuel runs out. Front lights are too strong at night time and drivers coming from the opposite direction tend to think that the car has high beam on. Not a bad car to have actually but there are improvements that can be made to make it even better... Updated review on 8/12/16 Terrible car. Avoid at all costs. I wish I had gotten a different car...

Engine on fire

My 2015 mb cla 250 engine burned. Mechanic said due to small water outside the engine that causes hydro lock mulfuction and the engine on fire. I never drove into a deep water. Never buy a Mercedes Benz again. I was happy with my Lexus right now.

Bought new, traded 18 months later

Overall very satisfied. Safe, plenty of power but had I known a 37K was worth about 22k for trade in on new 18 months after purchase, I would have looked harder at an Accord V-6.

Sharp Car

Looks very sharp, I’ve received multiple compliments over the years. The 18” wheel upgrade is WELL worth it in this department. Drives very well in snow and heavy rain. Does lack acceleration. Was surprised how big the trunk was, fits 2 sets of golf clubs. The back seat pretty much non-existent, however if needed, you can fit 2 adults uncomfortably for short rides. FYI, I’m 6’3” and loved the car.

.cla250 is a girl car

It has a peculiar effect on women. They settle in to those bucket seats, take in the standard M. B interior then they go MMMM! Like someone just hugged them. Im not kidding I have seen it happen a few times, starting with my wife. It is smaller than most MB models and women fit in to it better. The styling is good too, a couple of times pepole just passing by have said, "Pretty car" ! I always sit in that very adjustable front seat, set to my personal positions so it fits me well too. What I look for is that 0-60 in in 6.3 pickup. That is from the dual clutch robot manual transmission. This thing is faster off the line than most cars. I have not had the chance yet to see if the top end is really 150 like they say. So women like the styling and I like the performance. A great car for the price. After I became disabled I traded my wife for it. I drive her SUV because it is handi capable and she has the cla250 now. She loves it.

Visually Stunning but that is all

We just bought this car used with 50k miles. The only good things I have to say about it, are the car is a quite nice to look at, and the interior is roomy, and maybe I will throw in it is tight around corners. Other than that it is not great. Every bump it takes you can feel through your soul. The car has no pickup off the get go. The non touch screen is ridiculously clunky. Does not feel like a luxury car whatsoever.

If you don't know what to d with $20,000 buy a MB.

Sit in the car at least two hour and try every thing .

Very fun to drive

You’ll find out when you get one 😉

Review

Great Car

A beautiful and smart vehicle. I love it and I deserve it.

Reliable, solid, and economical

As solid a build is all the other Mercedes models. No issues of any type over five years. The matte silver exterior color remains a head turner. The 2.0 engine with turbo gets off the line and passes quickly and confidently. I’ve gotten 39 miles/ gallon highway and 26 around town. I would highly recommend this car. I am quite pleased

Traded in my Mercedes

Bough this car not expecting, the ride and tech on this car. Handles the road, like it was born to be there. Classy looking and great aerodynamics. Loud riding, i guess from run flat free tires, noisy. Traded it in for a Cadillac CT4 Luxury.