Coupe Therapy : Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Driven [review]

By topgear, 21 May 2019

batch 47564840331 f4367cc8ed k

The Mercedes-Benz for the younger, appearance-conscious set expands its appeal by going beyond just face

batch 40598866723 4ec106da9e k

MUNICH, GERMANY - This is the second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA. The bad news? It looks better. The good news? It’s not all about looks anymore.

The CLA is a bit of a maverick, not just in the Mercedes lineup, but as Audi and BMW have yet to field direct competitors, it’s still in a class of one.

(Click HERE to read our A-Class review)

batch 40598924063 92aae275f6 k

The Mercedes-Benz CLA was an even bigger hit than its big brother, the CLS; arguably it was the brand’s biggest hit when it showed up in Singapore in 2013. Why? A four-door Merc that looked swoopy-cool and didn’t cost an entire HDB flat (try one half to a third) -; buyers promptly went berserk.

batch 32622332937 668579a4af k

Not that it matters to CLA buyers, most of whom bought the car on its looks alone. Mercedes itself says -; via Robert Lesnik, the exterior design director of Mercedes-Benz -; that the appearance was the chief reason for the CLA’s first-time lucky success.

batch 40610775513 6cac8ce75f k

It probably attracted people who would have otherwise bought any MINI, some horrendous'coupe-crossover’, or perhaps even a real coupe to have Real Life Inconvenience enhance the sexiness.

No shame. Humans are highly visual animals, and it makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint, since sniffing a prospective mate is a little tricky when you hardly know them.

batch 32622341647 1daf34adb5 k

Naturally, that makes the CLA the sort of car motoring journalists dislike on principle: It drove like something decidedly not-a-coupe but was more uncomfortable than a two-door, it made rear passengers regret commutes longer than 15 minutes. And if you weren’t convinced by the swoopiness, with its oversized head and tail-lights, it could compete with BMW’s pre-facelift'sad whale’ 1 Series in awkward looks.

batch 32622356897 313f022d29 k

We wanted to continue disliking it, but Mercedes made that difficult for us by giving the second-generation genuine, and significant, improvements. And Mercedes has gone and made the CLA properly good-looking now.

batch 32622352137 6f6fe36d6b k

Even if you don’t agree with the new design direction, the old things that made it awkward are now gone. Longer, lower, wider dimensions and a better stance? Check. More balanced proportions and a longer, lower nose? Check. Squinty lights and shark-like nose a la new CLS? Check.

batch 40598860613 5a5fc05762 k

That the CLA is now longer than a BMW 4 Series Coupe clues you in to how successfully the sleight-of-hand design works -; the car’s now 4688mm long, 1830mm wide, and just 1439mm tall.

batch 47511920112 3472509acf k

Even better, the longer-lower-wider also encompasses a massive stretch to front and rear track (increased by 62mm and 53mm respectively) and Mercedes says that was also done in the name of improved driving performance.

batch 40598905893 eb45a29260 k

And it does show immediately, because the CLA now drives far more like a CLS.

batch 46841142914 045b0c7bb1 k

Switching to the updated MFA2 platform (we’ve seen that on the new A-Class and B-Class so far, expect the next GLA to make the move too) is the story on the underpinnings, but the CLA feels more refined than either hatchback.

batch 40598906633 304f32f86a k

The very slippery 0.22Cd accounts for that, but there’s obviously more going on since the same 1.33-litre turbocharged inline4 and 7spd dual-clutch drivetrain are onboard the CLA 200.

batch 40598907983 a3f63a5b62 k

The new turbo engine makes 6hp more, or 163hp, and the CLA 200 is the only model that will be available at launch in Singapore in Q4 2019 -; a CLA 180, CLA 250 (more on that later), plus AMG 35 and 45 models will be on price-lists here eventually.

batch 47511877102 cfada6e464 k

The more obvious engine vibes, as seen in the A 200 hatch, are almost gone in the CLA 200, and while it’s certainly not the most distinguished sounding engine, the 163hp allows the CLA to ape the CLS in terms of quiet, quick progress.

batch 32622343447 138062065f k

We drove the car in Progressive trim, which will be kitted out with the same suspension (adaptive sport dampers) and wheel sizes as AMG Line models in Singapore. A key bugbear of the previous model, the terrible unsettled ride quality, is totally gone, replaced by a far more civilised, and Mercedes-esque, glide, even over rough roads.

batch 47511918762 a72be81fa9 k

It’s just as good news that the car handles far better as well. The steering still feels artificial, but it is accurate and light, so you won’t do well by ram-jamming the CLA for maximum squeal. Choose a clean line, make the best of the torque, and fast blasts can bring at least a modicum of joy to a determined wheel-person. Far more than the old model could ever claim.

batch 47730560201 37cc0619c3 k

We also had a brief stint in the CLS 250 with 4MATIC all-wheel drive (in black and orange Edition 1 trim), and it delivered a bit more excitement than we expected. In the past, the mid-range 2.0-litre was a punchy engine though not particularly outstanding (eg in the A 250 Sport) but it’s turned into a more flexible, and better sounding powerplant.

batch 47730562931 198a2b2622 k

The immediate, AWD traction and increased grunt from 350Nm of torque (100Nm more than the CLA 200) were very useful in rocketing the 250 forward with greater urgency, and it all sounded more pleasing to the ear as well. Keen drivers would do well to stump for the 250, although the Singapore models will be indent-only and front-wheel drive.

batch 32622350867 ea5f7de2b1 k

batch 46841141154 b947ff7db7 k

batch 32622343867 ce8a73a9d0 k

batch 32622351577 dff2e2308c k

And if, like before, driving dynamics aren’t high on the list of must-haves, well the CLA has all the cabin and tech improvements the A-Class has. Chief of which is the new MBUX infotainment system, which features dual HD-screens (one for instruments, the other for infotainment), touch-screen functionality, and advanced voice control that can find Bee Gees songs on demand.

batch 40598888583 5ca8b0dcd1 k

It’s obvious that the CLA has broader appeal now, where it used to be a city slicker/poser, now it’s grown into bigger shoes and could handle longer trips and easier commutes thanks to improved refinement.

batch 47511917812 268a7c0f7d k

The freshman CLA couldn't prove it wasn’t just a transient craze or one-off hit. With the second-generation’s improvements, it’s fixed most of the complaints we had about the first one, and overcome the sophomore slump.

STORY Derryn Wong
PHOTOS Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 Progressive
Engine 1332cc, inline4, turbocharged
Power/rpm 163hp/5500rpm
Torque/rpm 250Nm/1620rpm
Transmission 
7spd dual-clutch
0-100km/h 8.2secs
Top Speed 229km/h
Fuel Consumption 5.4l/100km
CO2 125g/km

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC
Engine 1991cc, inline4, turbocharged
Power/rpm 224hp/5500rpm
Torque/rom 350Nm/1800rpm
Transmission 7spd dual-clutch
0-100km/h 6.3secs
Top Speed 250km/h
Fuel Consumption 6.6l/100km
CO2 151g/km