2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Review

Trims

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA trim comparison

Starting MSRP

Starting Market Average

$40,500*

$50,650

$58,950

$39,336

$49,195

$57,256

MPG

Engine

Drive Type

Automatic Emergency Braking

Basic Warranty

Horsepower

Blind Spot System

Surround View Camera

Adaptive Cruise Control

Remote Engine Start

Parking Sensors

Multi-Zone Climate Control

Premium Audio

25 city/36 hwy*

21 city/29 hwy

20 city/28 hwy

2.0L I4 Turbo

FWD*

AWD

4 yr / 50k mi

221 hp

302 hp

382 hp

Engine Type

Fuel Type

Horsepower

Horsepower RPM

Torque

Torque RPM

Engine Displacement

Engine Configuration

Cylinders

Aspiration

Variable Valvetrain

Valvetrain

Number of Valves

Compression Ratio

Eco Mode

Sport Mode

EPA City Fuel Economy

EPA Highway Fuel Economy

EPA Combined Fuel Economy

Start/Stop System

Gas

Premium Unleaded

221 hp

302 hp

382 hp

5800 rpm

6500 rpm

258 lb-ft

295 lb-ft

354 lb-ft

1800 rpm

3000 rpm

4750 rpm

2.0 L

Inline

4 cylinder

Turbocharged

Double Overhead

16 valve

10

25 MPG*

21 MPG

20 MPG

36 MPG*

29 MPG

28 MPG

29 MPG*

24 MPG

23 MPG

Pricing

How much should I pay for the Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Use the chart below to see how much shoppers are paying for each 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA trim on average. This will help you determine how much to pay on a lease, financing, or cash basis. Get upfront price offers from Certified Dealers in your area by selecting a trim and following the steps to build your car.

MSRP

$40,500

Market AverageMarket Avg

$39,336

Average Savings off MSRPAvg Savings

2.9% off MSRP

Average Total Price Paid for Mercedes-Benz CLA Trims

CLA 250

Popular

$39,336

AMG CLA 35

$49,195

AMG CLA 45

$57,256

Price Information

These prices reflect the national market average, based on the sale prices of similar vehicles.

Reviewed by Jack R. Nerad

Overview

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA hits all the vaunted brand's high notes. It delivers an upscale interior and a handsome, coupe-like silhouette. Its low and wide stance disguises the fact it's a front-wheel-drive vehicle, an anomaly among Mercedes-Benz sedans. Mercedes calls the CLA a coupe, despite its four doors, partly to avoid confusion with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan. The A-Class is smaller, less powerful, and costs about $4,000 less than the CLA. The high-performance Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and CLA 45 variants can really kick up their heels. But the CLA, with its 221-horsepower turbocharged engine and well-tuned suspension, offers all the performance most buyers will ever use. The CLA's infotainment system is filled with features but can be complex to navigate, and the cabin feels snug, especially the rear seats. Still, the Mercedes coupe compares favorably to its rivals, which include the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Audi A3, Audi S3, and Audi RS 3.

Positives

Four-door access with coupe-like looks. High-performance AMG versions. Mercedes-Benz prestige at a low price.

Considerations

Tight rear seats. Infotainment system isn't very intuitive.

Verdict

One of the smallest and least expensive Mercedes-Benz models, the CLA lives up to the luxury brand's reputation with a sophisticated exterior style and a well-designed interior that's filled with advanced technology.

What's New for 2023

Blind-spot monitoring and ambient lighting are now standard across the CLA lineup.

Trims and Pricing

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA is available in three trim levels: 250, AMG 35, and AMG 45. The CLA 250 is the most popular trim level, and it is our recommendation as well. We'll explain why.

250

Starting at $40,400 (including a $1,050 destination fee), the front-wheel-drive CLA 250 is the least expensive model in the lineup. It offers the most value because it has the same powertrain and features as the CLA 250 4Matic without the all-wheel-drive system (an additional $2,000). The standard 221-horsepower turbocharged engine offers more than ample acceleration. And the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission adds sportiness. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, power-adjustable front seats with memory function, dual-zone automatic climate control, a digital cockpit with the MBUX voice assistant, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, and remote start. A panoramic sunroof is optional. Mercedes also offers AMG Line packages that give the CLA 250 AMG-style looks.

AMG 35

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 ($50,550) is the less expensive specialty performance version of the CLA. It features a 302-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 4Matic all-wheel drive, and an enthusiast-tuned suspension for better road holding.

AMG 45

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 ($58,850) takes the model's performance to a higher level with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 382 hp. Like the AMG 35, it has 4Matic all-wheel drive and a sport-tuned suspension.

Engine and Performance

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250's refined 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 221 horsepower. It is teamed with an excellent seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the result is about as sporty as a non-AMG version can be. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of CLA 250 will go from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz. With its 201-hp four-cylinder turbo, the Audi A3 isn't as quick as the CLA, while the 228 hp BMW 228i Gran Coupe matches its acceleration. Mercedes says the 302-hp AMG CLA 35 will accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, slightly quicker than the BMW M235i xDrive. The 306-hp Audi S3 is quicker still. The AMG CLA 45 hits 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds, while the 401-hp Audi RS 3 will do the job in 3.6 seconds.

Fuel Economy

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250's fuel economy is at the top of its class. A front-wheel-drive CLA 250 with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 25 mpg during city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. In vehicles with 4Matic all-wheel drive, fuel economy drops by 1 mpg. The high-performance AMG CLA 35 is estimated to achieve 22/29 mpg city/highway. The AMG CLA 45 gets 20/29 mpg. The less powerful Audi A3 offers 29/38 mpg city/highway, while the BMW 228i Gran Coupe is estimated to deliver 23/33 mpg.

Interior

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA's cabin looks, feels, and functions like the interior of a more expensive luxury car. The supportive seats provide comfort over long distances, and the dash and instrument panel are premium. The front seats are well-bolstered and power-adjustable, and the CLA's synthetic leather upholstery looks and feels like the real thing. Heated and ventilated seats are optional. Happily, the CLA's coupe-like roofline doesn't compromise rear-seat headroom, but the rear legroom is a bit tight. The three-passenger fold-down rear bench seat splits 40/20/40, and the pass-throughs to the trunk add versatility. The CLA has 11.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which is significantly less than in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The Audi A3 offers 10 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA's infotainment system may require some practice, but once mastered, it delivers plenty of features. The horizontally mounted 7-inch digital touchscreen seems a bit small, but the system is versatile. You can also control it via the console-mounted touchpad, voice commands, or steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported. Augmented reality navigation that identifies nearby buildings and spells out directions on live video is available. A larger 10.25-inch display is a $1,200 option, and we think that over time it will justify the added cost. The premium Burmeister audio system sounds great.

Safety

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA has not been crash-tested or safety rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The CLA offers a comprehensive list of driver-assist and safety systems. Standard features include automated emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and crosswind assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, active steering assist, evasive steering assist, braking assist with cross-traffic functionality, and lane-keeping assist are optional.

Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. the Competition

With a starting price of approximately $40,000, the Mercedes-Benz CLA delivers a satisfying luxury car experience. For buyers seeking distinctive design, innovative engineering, and Old-World craftsmanship, the CLA will check every box. The four-door coupe body style is arresting. And the interior lives up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Even with the base engine in the CLA 250, the car is a strong performer. It could use a bit more rear-seat legroom and trunk space, but buyers are unlikely to quibble about those small shortfalls. Its top rivals include the BMW 228i Gran Coupe, which is more fun to drive than the CLA, and the Audi A3, which has a lower base price than either the Mercedes or the BMW.

Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. Audi A3

Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. BMW 2 Series

TrueCar Expert Review Methodology

TrueCar works with a select group of automotive industry experts who test-drive nearly 300 vehicles per year. TrueCar's experts grade the vehicles on key attributes including driving dynamics, comfort, interior design, technology, storage, and efficiency. Our experts also judge recent model updates, pricing and value, trims, options, comparable vehicles, and safety assessments (as provided by the NHTSA and IIHS) to inform their recommendations and help car shoppers choose a vehicle that is right for them.

TrueCar also ranks the best vehicles in each category based on a data-driven methodology. Each vehicle is carefully scored using our in-house rating system, which systematically evaluates every car, SUV, truck, and van. Utilizing ALG industry research, consumer surveys, a team of data scientists and vehicle experts, TrueCar provides a unique and useful outlook to help you find the best vehicle for your driving needs.

Owner Reviews

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Owner Ratings & Reviews

2nd Generation Mercedes-Benz CLA

2020 - Present

Overall Rating

5.0

Based on

Performance

4.9

Comfort

4.9

Fuel Efficiency

4.6

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

4.8

96%

4%

3 Star

0%

2 Star

0%

1 Star

0%

Search

All reviews

Search

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

It’s style and features

cons

Nothing I like it all

Submitted by Michael P on --- --- ----|2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA CLA 250 FWD|Purchased on --- --- ----

5.0

Performance

4.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

The AMG kit

cons

The truck space

Submitted by D S on --- --- ----|2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA CLA 250 FWD|Purchased on --- --- ----

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Efficiency

4.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

Excellent vehicle dynamics combined with many luxury features and state-of-art safety and driver assistance features. The MB Navigation system is superb and totally integrates trip planning and guidance, weather, traffic updates and alerts. Automatically searches for parking spaces on the street and in parking structures. Automates parking payment also.

cons

Some optional equipment was not deliverable due to the ongoing semiconductor parts shortages. Some delays in production and shipping from Europe due to pandemic impacts.

Submitted by Todd R on --- --- ----|2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG CLA 35 4MATIC|Purchased on --- --- ----