2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2021 BMW 4 Series

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA was often described as "coupe-like" due to its four-door design and sloping rear window, though it wasn't considered a true coupe. Its sharp design was more striking than the A-Class sedan, with which it shared its basic underpinnings. The interior of the CLA was a standout feature, offering a modern, functional, and elegant cabin. It came standard with a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a 7-inch center touchscreen, both housed in a continuous bezel that dominated the dashboard. The CLA 250 trim included features like dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, synthetic leather upholstery, and power-adjustable sport seats. An available Premium Package upgraded the screens to 10.25 inches and added satellite radio, while the AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45 trims included all the equipment of the CLA 250 plus the Premium Package.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 4 Series coupe's styling was dominated by its massive twin-kidney grille, which was intended to improve engine cooling. While the grille was polarizing, the rest of the car maintained standard BMW styling with LED headlights and taillights. The new front end was aerodynamic, contributing to a drag coefficient of 0.25. The 4 Series shared a platform with the 3 Series sedan, but was slightly longer, wider, and lower. The interior followed BMW's clean and uncluttered design, with standard front sport seats offering 10-way power adjustment. The optional black leather upholstery with blue contrast stitching added a touch of luxury, though some felt it fell short for a car in its price range. The 4 Series aimed for a sportier feel with standard paddle shifters and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, though the steering wheel's size was criticized.

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 delivered through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or optional 4Matic all-wheel drive. The AMG CLA 35 increased output to 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with standard AWD. The top-tier AMG CLA 45 boasted 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard AWD, achieving a zero-to-sixty time of four seconds. The CLA was praised for its taut, playful handling, though the ride could feel stiff, especially compared to other Mercedes models.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series offered two powertrains. The 430i model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. The M440i was equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and included a 48-volt starter/generator for improved fuel efficiency. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard. The 430i coupe could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, while the M440i xDrive coupe achieved it in 4.3 seconds. Despite these figures, the driving experience was hampered by a hesitant transmission and vague steering. The chassis was composed, but the engine sound and ride quality were underwhelming for a performance car.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA, as a subcompact sedan, offered maneuverability in tight spaces and spacious front seats. However, the rear seats were tight, and the trunk provided only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The coupe-like profile limited rear headroom and legroom, requiring the front seat to be moved forward for usable rear-seat space. The front-seat space was well-utilized, with ergonomic controls and decent-sized cupholders and in-door cubbies.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series, while not known for practicality, performed reasonably well for a coupe. It offered more front headroom and trunk space than competitors like the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupes. However, rear seats were only suitable for children or occasional adult use. The front-seat space was adequate, making it a good choice for those who didn't need a sedan's extra space but found two-seat sports cars too cramped. The cockpit was logically laid out, with an infotainment touchscreen integrated into the dashboard and well-designed storage spaces. Visibility was excellent, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured the MBUX infotainment system, controllable via a center touchscreen, a console dial, or voice recognition. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wireless versions were unavailable. The CLA used USB-C outlets exclusively, which could be inconvenient for those without adaptors. The system's layout was sensible, allowing for minimal distraction once users became accustomed to it.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series came with the iDrive 7 infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 5.1-inch display screen in the instrument cluster. The optional Live Cockpit Professional setup upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. The iDrive rotary controller was praised for its tactile response, making navigation easy. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A head-up display and wireless phone charging were available as options.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA came with standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Additional safety features were available through packages, such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. The Driver Assistance package included Mercedes Pre-Safe Sound, which emitted a noise-canceling tone in the event of a crash.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was part of the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package, which offered a sophisticated system with stop-and-go traffic capabilities and steering assist.