2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Pros: Crisp acceleration; exceptional ride and handling balance; nicely finished interiors

Cons: Automated-manual transmission can be clunky; stingy cabin space, especially in the back seat

CG Says: The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class adds blind-spot alert and ambient interior lighting to the standard equipment list. Mercedes-Benz’s CLA-Class compact sedan was redesigned for 2020 on the same basic platform as Mercedes’s entry-level A-Class compact sedan, which launched as a 2019 model.

The CLA is a rakishly styled “coupe sedan” (a four-door with a with a sloping, coupe-like roofline) that slots between the A-Class and the C-Class in Mercedes’s car lineup. Both the CLA-Class and A-Class are on front-wheel-drive platforms, while the C-Class has Mercedes’ traditional rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on all three.

All CLAs are powered by turbocharged 2.0-liter cylinder engines. The base CLA 250 and all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4MATIC have a 221-horsepower engine. The AMG CLA 35 has a twin-scroll turbocharger engine that develops 302 hp, while the AMG CLA 45 has a 382-hp turbo engine. The CLA 250 and AMG CLA 35 have a 7-speed automated-manual transmission and the AMG CLA 45 has an 8-speed automated manual. Both AMG models have standard all-wheel drive.

Available safety features include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, crosswind assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane centering, and evasive steering assist.

The CLA’s sloping roofline sacrifices back-seat comfort for fashion, making the A-Class a slightly more practical choice for a budget-conscious Mercedes compact sedan. Still, for those who seldom use the back seat, the CLA offers style and high-grade interior trim. The CLA also has handling and performance to match its looks—especially the AMG models.