2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2020 Chevrolet Corvette

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class impressed with its aesthetic transformation. Compared to its predecessor, the CLA-Class saw a significant upgrade in its headlight design, moving from the sizeable eagle-eye clusters to more refined, wedge-like units. These gave the car a closer resemblance to its upscale sibling, the CLS. The roofline and trunk embody elegance with a design reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, giving the car a striking, boat-like appearance. Although this design slightly limited the vehicle's practical utility, it certainly upheld the luxury image. Inside, the CLA-Class offered a chic, modern cabin with a multi-tiered dashboard accentuated by vintage-inspired climate vents. The cabin's ambiance transformed at night with ambient lighting, which responded to climate control adjustments by changing colors accordingly. The integration of the instrument screen and new infotainment screen into a continuous panel stretching across two-thirds of the dash was a standout feature. Brushed aluminum details and a plush steering wheel contributed to an effortlessly timeless interior.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, on the other hand, marked a revolutionary design shift with its mid-engine layout. This transformation pushed the cabin forward and provided a refreshed stylistic interpretation of past Corvette designs. Priced surprisingly under $60,000, the Corvette achieved a monumental feat in combining accessible pricing with high performance. The Corvette’s exterior, especially in the Sebring Orange Tintcoat, was anything but subtle. With its sharp creases, quad taillight elements, and hood lines integrating into the doors, it paid homage to classic Corvette styling while firmly standing as a modern marvel. Inside, the Corvette boasted a high-tech, fighter jet-inspired cockpit with digital instrumentation, advanced infotainment technology, and a distinctive squared-off steering wheel. The interior fit and finish, especially with the 3LT Package, saw significant improvements with premium leather, simulated suede, contrast stitching, and genuine metal accents, propelling the Corvette’s cabin to new heights of perceived quality.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class offered four versions, each with distinct powertrains. Both CLA 250 models had a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produced 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup delivered power robustly, especially once the turbo spooled up. The CLA 250 4Matic variant distributed power to all four wheels, enhancing traction and performance in varying conditions. Fuel economy for the CLA 250 4Matic was rated at 23 mpg city, 33 highway, and 27 combined, consistent with our week-long observation of just over 25 mpg. The steering was light yet refined, and the car’s cornering was precise without being overly stiff, making it suitable for both spirited drives and daily commutes.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette brought performance to the forefront with its small-block 6.2-liter V8 engine, visibly displayed beneath the rear window. In its standard tune, the V8 cranked out 490 horsepower at 6,450 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque at 5,150 rpm. Equipped with the Z51 Performance Package, these numbers increased to 495 hp and 470 lb-ft. The Z51 also enhanced cooling, provided an electronic limited-slip differential, performance axle ratio, performance suspension tuning, and improved braking capabilities. This setup allowed the Corvette to dash from 0 to 60 mph in an electrifying 2.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 194 mph. A highly responsive eight-speed dual-clutch transmission augmented the driving experience, offering manual shift modes and various driving modes including Tour, Sport, Track, and more. Fuel economy was rated at 15 mpg city, 27 highway, and 19 combined. The Corvette’s dynamic handling and the versatility provided by the Z51’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension made it a remarkable performer on both highway and track settings.

Though its design leaned towards elegance, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class had limitations in practicality. Advertised as a 4-door coupe, the CLA-Class had a sharply raked rear window and confined rear seats, making it challenging for adults to sit in the back for extended periods. Up front, the sport bucket seats offered robust support but were non-adjustable in terms of headrests, which could be uncomfortable on long trips. The trunk space measured 13.1 cubic feet, adequate for its class, with foldable rear seats to accommodate larger items. However, the vehicle cautioned drivers anytime the rear seats were down.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette put form over function but still maintained usability across various activities. Despite being a compact sports car, the Corvette included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel in the higher trims. Entry and exit were tricky, particularly in tight parking locations, and the competition seats were a poor fit for larger occupants. Storage was sparse save for a reasonably sized center bin. The front trunk and rear storage combined for 12.6 cubic feet, just shy of the CLA's capacity, able to store a carry-on-sized suitcase up front and two more in the rear, along with space for two golf bags or the coupe's removable roof panel.

The new CLA-Class' interior was dominated by the MBUX infotainment system. It replaced older systems with a touchscreen and trackpad controller, featuring a Home button, Back button, and a volume thumb-roller. The steering-wheel-mounted controls had touch-sensitive pads, with the left pad managing the instrument panel and the right controlling the center screen, allowing for swipe gestures to change channels and save presets. The voice-control system added convenience, engaging with commands initiated by “Hey, Mercedes.” Despite five USB ports, all being USB-C, this decision seemed ahead of its time.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette stood out with digital instrumentation, a comprehensive infotainment system, and an available head-up display (HUD). Depending on the driving mode, the digital display adjusted its presentation for optimal visibility of critical data. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar, WiFi, and more, all within easy reach. The Performance Data Recorder was an innovative addition, capturing driving performance and even providing a Valet mode for tracking the car’s usage. The front lift system was another advanced feature, allowing the vehicle’s nose to rise for added clearance and remembering up to 1,000 GPS coordinates for automatic adjustment.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class was equipped with a suite of driver-assistance features, though not all were highly effective. The lane-departure warning system, part of a driver-assistance package that included forward-collision assistance, automatic high beams, and a driver-drowsiness monitor, was criticized for its abrupt intervention. The CLA also featured standard airbags, reversing camera, and traction control, with an available surround-view camera offering enhanced parking precision by activating at low-speed proximity to objects.

Contrastingly, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette focused more on driving experience than advanced driver aids. While it lacked comprehensive ADAS, essentials like a high-definition reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and additional options such as blind-spot monitoring, curb-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror were available in higher trims. The Teen Driver technology and optional OnStar Safety & Security provided added safety through monitoring and emergency services. Driver skill was emphasized, with professional driving courses recommended to fully grasp the vehicle’s capabilities.