2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2020 Ford Mustang

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured a significant design overhaul compared to its predecessor, starting with the headlights. The massive eagle-eye headlight clusters were replaced with more elegant, wedge-like units, aligning the CLA closer to its larger sibling, the CLS. The roof and trunk design gave the CLA an almost boat-like appearance, reminiscent of the full-size Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. While these design elements restricted some functionality, they added to the car's dramatic and luxurious appeal.

Inside, the CLA offered a modern and upscale cabin with a multi-tier dash and vintage-looking climate vents. The available ambient cabin lighting illuminated the various tiers and vents, adding a touch of sophistication. The instrument screen and new infotainment screen formed a single panel that swept across two-thirds of the dash area, creating a stunning display. The brushed aluminum panels and steering wheel brightwork contributed to the CLA's timeless cabin design. The CLA came in four variants: CLA 250, CLA 250 4Matic, AMG CLA 35 4Matic, and AMG CLA 45 4Matic, each with different powertrains and options.

The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt paid homage to the iconic 1968 Mustang GT fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie "Bullitt." Painted in Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black, the Mustang Bullitt featured subtle chrome accents, retro Torque Thrust-style 19-inch aluminum wheels, and a simulated gas tank cap on the back. Inside, the Bullitt had a serialized plaque on the dual-cowl dashboard, green stitching in the leather upholstery, and a white cue-ball shifter knob. The MyColor ambient lighting could be set to green to match the overall theme.

The Mustang Bullitt's base MSRP was $47,705, and as tested with additional options, it totaled $54,290. Despite some cheap plastic interior pieces, the Mustang Bullitt offered a unique blend of style and performance. The car's understated custom appearance and active exhaust system's Quiet mode masked its track-ready componentry, while the MagneRide adaptive dampers provided compliance for daily driving and stiffness for track work.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA offered four different powertrain configurations. The CLA 250 and CLA 250 4Matic featured a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The CLA 250 sent power to the front wheels, while the CLA 250 4Matic added all-wheel drive. The CLA's 4-cylinder engine provided great power for its size, and the transmission held the right gear to optimize performance. The CLA's steering was light yet refined, and its cornering was precise without being too stiff. The EPA estimated the CLA 250 4Matic's fuel economy at 23 mpg city, 33 highway, and 27 combined, while the front-wheel-drive CLA 250 was rated at 25 mpg city, 35 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 Ford Mustang lineup ranged from the EcoBoost Fastback with a 310-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine to the Shelby GT500 with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 producing 760 horsepower. The Mustang GT offered a 460-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, while the Shelby GT350 and GT350R provided 526 horsepower from a 5.2-liter V8. The Mustang Bullitt, based on the Mustang GT, featured 480 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm, thanks to components from the Shelby GT350. The Bullitt's six-speed manual transmission required drivers to know how to row their own gears, with downshift rev-matching for smoother driving. The GT Performance Package included structural bracing, improved engine cooling, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, modified steering and suspension tuning, Brembo brakes, and staggered-width 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tires. The Mustang Bullitt's fuel economy was rated at 14 mpg city, 23 highway, and 17 combined.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA, despite being called a "coupe," was a sedan with a raked rear window and tight back seats. The rear seat was nearly unusable for adults due to the low roof, although the front sport bucket seats provided ample bolstering for the driver and front passenger. The CLA offered 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space, with the backseat folding down for larger items. However, the CLA warned drivers when the seats were down, which could be annoying.

The 2020 Ford Mustang, like its competitor the Chevrolet Camaro, prioritized style and performance over form and function. The rear seat was cramped, and storage space was limited. However, the Mustang Fastback was comfortable for two adults and offered 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, enough for a week-long road trip. The Mustang Bullitt came with standard black leather seats with six-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Recaro performance sport seats were an option, providing better bolstering but sacrificing power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Starting the car in second gear was recommended for smoother city driving.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured the latest MBUX infotainment system, replacing the old non-touchscreen and rotary dial with a touchscreen and trackpad controller. The trackpad had a Home button, a Back button, and a volume thumb-roller. The steering-wheel-mounted controls included two small pads for operating the digital screens. The left pad controlled the instrument panel, while the right one controlled the center touchscreen. MBUX also offered an advanced voice-control system activated by saying, "Hey, Mercedes." The CLA had five USB-C ports, which could be inconvenient for those with traditional USB cables.

The 2020 Ford Mustang excelled in performance technology. Drivers could calibrate the steering effort level, choose between four active exhaust modes, select from multiple driving modes, and activate Line Lock and Launch Control. Track Apps allowed drivers to monitor acceleration, braking, and lap-time performance. The Mustang's 12-inch digital instrumentation cluster provided access to these functions. The Sync 3 infotainment system, while aging, offered Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, and an available 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Separate stereo and dual-zone automatic climate controls limited interaction with the display.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA came with a full array of driver-assistance features, including a lane-departure warning system with lane-keeping assist, forward-collision avoidance, automatic high beams, and a driver-drowsiness monitor. The lane-keeping assist was abrupt, stabbing the brakes and jerking the wheel, which could be unsettling. The CLA also had front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. The available surround-view camera activated automatically at low speeds, aiding in precise parking.

The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt lacked semi-autonomous safety features, appealing to purists. It came with a reversing camera, MyKey technology for programming specific key fob requirements, and an optional blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The Mustang received good crash-test ratings from the IIHS and five stars in every test from the NHTSA.