2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2020 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 was a car that didn't flaunt its power. Its hood vents, dual exhaust system, Brembo front brake calipers, and LT1 badges hinted at the 455-horsepower V8 engine beneath. Despite these features, it maintained a low profile with its Satin Steel Gray paint, plain gray cloth seats, and 20-inch wheels. The Camaro LT1 was available in both coupe and convertible configurations, with the coupe starting at $34,000. However, the interior was notably cheap, with excessive use of hard, shiny plastic and occasional issues like the center console trim popping off.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA had a sharp, eye-catching design, more appealing than the A-Class sedan it shared its underpinnings with. The cabin was where the CLA truly shined, featuring a modern, functional, and elegant interior. The standard 7-inch digital instrument panel and 7-inch center touchscreen were combined in one continuous bezel, dominating two-thirds of the dash. The CLA 250 came with dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, synthetic leather upholstery, five USB ports, power-adjustable sport seats, and HD radio. The Premium Package upgraded the screens to 10.25 inches and added satellite radio.

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 featured a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. It included a limited-slip rear differential, 4-piston Brembo front brakes, a performance-tuned suspension, and 20-inch wheels. This setup allowed the Camaro to reach 60 mph in about 4 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in approximately 12.5 seconds. The Camaro's Alpha platform, shared with Cadillac ATS and CTS, provided excellent handling on twisty roads. The Camaro averaged 18.6 mpg in the city and suburbs, finishing at 20 mpg overall. However, it lacked GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension, which was available only on the Camaro SS.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA offered a range of turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. The CLA 250 produced 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with power routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to either FWD or AWD. The AMG CLA 35 delivered 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG CLA 45 boasted 382 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, achieving a zero-to-sixty time of just four seconds. The CLA had taut, playful handling, though the ride could feel stiff at times. The available adaptive damping suspension helped somewhat, but the overall ride quality remained firm.

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro's compact dimensions improved its dynamic athleticism but compromised practicality. The front seats offered 8-way power adjustment for the driver and 6-way for the passenger, but getting in and out was challenging, especially in crowded parking lots. The backseat was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom. The Camaro's retro-themed interior had minimalistic controls, but practical storage was almost non-existent. The trunk measured 9.1 cubic feet for the coupe, holding two full-size suitcases with some space for smaller items.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA, being a subcompact sedan, had its pros and cons. It was maneuverable in tight spaces and had spacious front seats, but the rear seats were tight, and the trunk offered only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The coupe-like profile resulted in limited rear headroom and legroom. However, the CLA made good use of its front-seat space with ergonomic controls, decent-sized cupholders, and large in-door cubbies for water bottles.

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 came with the standard Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 package, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen display, a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar connected services, and a 6-speaker Bose sound system. Optional upgrades included an 8-inch display, a more sophisticated version of SiriusXM satellite radio, additional stereo speakers, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims offered a head-up display, a rear camera mirror, Track driving mode, launch control, and a Performance Data Recorder.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured the standard MBUX infotainment system, controllable via the center touchscreen, a dial in the center console, or voice recognition. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional wireless device charging. However, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto were not available, and the CLA exclusively used USB-C outlets, which might require adaptors for some users. The MBUX system had a sensible layout and allowed for minimal distraction once mastered.

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 lacked advanced safety features. It came with standard stability control, a reversing camera, and available OnStar connected services. However, it did not offer blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, or high-beam headlights. The Camaro coupe received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had 4-star frontal-impact ratings. The IIHS gave it top marks in frontal- and side-impact testing, but the roof crush strength was rated as Acceptable.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA came with standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Additional safety features were available through packages, such as the Driver Assistance package, which added adaptive cruise control, rear collision braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive headlights and a parallel park assist with a surround-view parking monitor were also available.