2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

Name: 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Price: 23999 USD
Rating: 3.4 (13 reviews)

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35 Sedan Exterior

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2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

byDan Frio^{Correspondent
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 without the premium price
Available high-horsepower AMG CLA 45 trim

Cons

Less rear headroom than the related A-Class sedan

What's new

Minor revisions to standard and optional feature availability
Part of the second CLA generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Given the history and prestige of the Mercedes badge, you'd be surprised to learn you can buy a brand-new Benz for about the price of a loaded popular midsize family sedan. While you probably wouldn't choose the diminutive 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA as your primary family car, this entry-level Benz otherwise delivers many of the same qualities found on bigger and more expensive sedans.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$164/mo

$158/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

If you think the CLA strongly resembles another car — the Mercedes A-Class, for example — you're not wrong. The two are strikingly similar, but with some key differences. The CLA, first introduced to the U.S. in 2014, was once a quick and responsive car with awful comfort and ride quality, opposite of what you'd expect from Mercedes. The A-Class arrived a few years later with a more conventional sedan look and set a new benchmark for small luxury sedans.

This current, second-generation CLA uses the A-Class underpinnings and represents a comprehensive improvement on the earlier model. Compared to the A-Class, the CLA is the rowdier sibling. The base trim CLA offers about 30 more horsepower than its A-Class counterpart, and the CLA range tops out at 382 hp, compared to A-Class' 302 horsepower. The CLA also offers more trunk space, making it slightly more practical for cargo, if not passengers.

Picking between the A-Class or CLA might be one decision you'll have to make. But there are other challengers that include the Audi A3, BMW's 2 Series Gran Coupe and possibly even the Mazda 3, which is competitive in its loaded-up trim levels. But packed with features and personality, and backed by an impeccable pedigree, the CLA makes a fitting entry into Mercedes-Benz ownership.

Which CLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

Unless you thirst for more than 300 horsepower (a wholly reasonable thirst, but overkill in a small car like the CLA), go for the CLA 250. It comes loaded with standard features, including class-leading infotainment and essential driver safety systems. It also offers most available options in the CLA range, allowing you to tailor your car to taste.

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan is a small coupe-style sedan available in three trim levels: CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45. The AMG versions are more powerful and sportier but otherwise the trims generally have the same standard and optional features. All-wheel drive (Mercedes calls it 4Matic) is optional for the CLA 250 and standard on the CLA 35 and 45. Feature highlights include:

CLA 250
Comes reasonably well equipped with:

Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque)
Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
LED headlights
18-inch wheels
Panoramic sunroof
Rain-sensing wipers
Heated side mirrors
Keyless entry and push-start ignition

Interior features include:

Simulated leather upholstery
Power-adjustable sport front seats with memory function
40/20/40-split folding rear seats
Dual-zone climate control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Customizable ambient cabin lighting

The CLA 250 also has:

7-inch touchscreen and gauge cluster displays
Touchpad controller
Mercedes' MBUX infotainment interface
Apple Car Play and Android Auto smartphone integration
Blind-spot monitor (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)

AMG CLA 35
Besides a more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, the AMG CLA 35 adds:

Upgraded engine (302 hp, 295 lb-ft)
18-inch AMG wheels
Sport-tuned suspension
10.25-inch touchscreen and gauge cluster displays

AMG CLA 45
Bundles the features from both lower trims and adds:

Boost to 382 hp and 354 lb-ft
Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
Performance-oriented all-wheel drive
19-inch AMG wheels
Hands-free opening trunk
Power-folding, auto-dimming side mirrors
Unique AMG body styling

The CLA offers dozens of optional features. Notable extras for the base CLA 250 include:

AMG Line package

AMG body kit
18-inch AMG wheels
Diamond-pattern grille
Sport steering wheel
Sport-tuned suspension

Exterior Lighting package

Adaptive cornering headlights
Automatic high beams

Premium package

10.25-inch displays
Auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors
Power-folding side mirrors

Multimedia package

Navigation system with enhanced video overlay
Speed limit alert

Driver Assistance package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CLA and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Lane change assist (during cruise control, can automatically change lanes after driver activates turn signal for several seconds)
Enhanced blind-spot monitoring (can steer the CLA to help avoid a collision with a vehicle in your blind spot)
Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)

Parking Assistance package

360-degree surround-view system (uses cameras in all four directions to compose a single image of the car's surroundings)
Automated self-parking system (can self-park in and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spaces)

There are also stand-alone options, such as:

Gloss black and carbon-fiber-style body trim
Leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
Multi-contour front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support
Heated steering wheel
Hands-free opening trunk
Wireless charging pad
Dashcam
Burmester surround-sound system

The CLA 35 can be equipped with the above packages (minus the AMG Line) and stand-alone options, and also offers:

AMG Night package

Gloss black trim
18-inch AMG wheels with black accents

AMG Aerodynamics package

Performance-oriented body kit

AMG Performance Seat package

AMG multi-contour heated front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support

Adaptive sport suspension
Sport steering wheel
Head-up display
Onboard performance data recorder

The CLA 45 can also be equipped with all above packages and options, along with:

AMG Dynamic Plus package

Electronically adjustable sport suspension
Driver-selectable performance modes
Upgraded brakes

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#7 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class from 2008-2022.}

$574/yr

vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.08x/yr

vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

6.7%

vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

5 (46%)

4 (15%)

3 (0%)

2 (8%)

1 (31%)

3.4

13 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

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.

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

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

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the CLA-Class since its last redesign.

See all 13 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Write a vehicle review

2021 CLA-Class Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

CLA 250

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,850
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the CLA-Class models:

Active Brake Assist: Warns of an impending front collision and applies the brakes if you don't react.
Blind-Spot Assist: Displays a warning triangle in the mirror if a car is in your blind spot and beeps if you activate a turn signal.
Attention Assist: Uses many sensors and other data to tell if you're getting fatigued and suggests a rest stop.

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2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Which CLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Styling, Hi-Tech Sold Me

Great Car

A COMPLETELY NEW CLA

Awesome Car

2021 CLA-Class Highlights

Safety

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2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Which CLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Styling, Hi-Tech Sold Me

Great Car

A COMPLETELY NEW CLA

Awesome Car

2021 CLA-Class Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Mercedes Benz

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}