Entering its third model year since inception, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class continues to serve many purposes for both the company and Mercedes customers. The CLA is the “entry-level” Mercedes-Benz here in the U.S. market, and one of its jobs is to advertise a very low entry price. Another job it has is to combat the growing list of rival models that have been stealing its potential sales with cheaper-to-build, front-wheel-drive platforms. And, of course, the CLA must make the consumer happy, which it does best of all.
Mercedes-Benz advertises the CLA as a “coupe.” It is not a coupe, however, but rather a four door sedan built to have a look similar to a coupe. Capable of carrying five people, and built with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the CLA is a compact car stretched to its largest limits--or a small mid-size, depending upon your viewpoint. Either way, it's the perfect vehicle size for a single person or a couple who sometimes carry friends.
The CLA’s exterior styling is aggressive, starting with the a humongous Mercedes three-pointed star up front. That star, in fact, is important to many buyers, and they want it to be prominent (it can even be illuminated for those who want to be easily seen in their Mercedes at night). The front looks very sporty, the sides are plain but handsome, and the roofline strikes an arch. The CLA was a clean-sheet design for Mercedes when it introduced the car back in late 2013, meant to have a similar look to larger Mercedes models. And it works. In person, the car is truly a looker.
Inside, the CLA has a dash design that is similar in ways to that of the Audi A3 and the Mazda3. It features prominent air vents and an infotainment screen that sits right on the dash, rather than being integrated into it, which is currently the fashion in German vehicles. The driver and/or passenger can control the screen primarily by a remote rotary mouse of sorts. The bucket seats are clearly intended to look sporty, and interior trim is available in old-school wood, as well as aluminum, sport aluminum, and anthracite, which seem more fitting for the CLA's character.
Mercedes will build its 2016 CLA class three ways. The base model car is the FWD CLA 250, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 208 hp and good torque at low RPMs. Next up is the CLA 250 4-Matic, which adds AWD. Then there is the AMG CLA45, which has a “handcrafted” 2.0-liter turbo tuned to a whopping 375 hp for 2016 (up slightly over the prior two model years). The AMG CLA45 is only available with AWD. All CLA-Class models use a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Reviewers of prior year models say the CLA250 is rather firm in its ride but tuned to be sporty. The turbocharged engine will zip the CLA250 from 0 to 60 mph in a very respectable 6.9 seconds, giving a V6 Camry or Accord a run for its money. The AMG CLA45 is a rocket with a sport-car firm suspension, able to launch form 0 to 60 in an amazing 4.1-seconds, considered supercar territory only handful of years ago.
Being the entry-level Mercedes-Benz, prices matter a lot for the 2016 CLA250. A base model car will be attainable for around $33,000. However, an AWD CLA250 4-Matic with the cool-looking Night Package, the Multimedia Package, Premium leather seats, and forward collision prevention with adaptive cruise control, all options that would be expected in a premium car, approaches $50,000. The 2016 AMG45 will start at about $51,000, nearing $60,000 with all the options listed above.
Great fuel economy is the final mission of the 2016 CLA-class. Here the base car delivers, with an excellent 30 mpg combined rating. The AWD CLA250 4-Matic earns a respectable 27 combined, and the powerful CLA AMG45 posts a 26 combined figure that is outstanding given its performance abilities.
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety has not yet crash tested the CLA-Class, but with its forward collision prevention system, the Mercedes could qualify for the top rating if it does well in the small frontal overlap test, which most manufacturers have by now figured out.
The 2016 Mercedes CLA-Class offers quite a range of content and an equally broad price range. Mercedes-Benz deserves credit for bringing a car to market that will welcome more buyers to its family and give those with a generous budget just one more in a long list of amazing choices that have the AMG stamp of approval.
I bought a preowned 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 this weekend. The car has the standard Comand system and SD card slot but doesn’t have Navi. Can I buy a Garman SD card and install navigation on the vehicle?
I have lost my key and the car says "don't forget your key" when I get out...is the key somewhere in the car or does it always say this
We ordered a car from PA and live in MO. I was told the car had certain features on it that it does not or we can not get to work. I am unable to view the add and the sales person has not contacted me back when I have my inquiries.
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.13
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Automatic emergency braking: front · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: mbrace · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.13
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Automatic emergency braking: front · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: mbrace · Smart device app function: horn/light operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: aluminium · Dash trim: aluminum · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 2.44
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Automatic emergency braking: front · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: mbrace · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing