Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 Review: Rebel with a cause

What we like:

The gorgeous bodylines that are unique to the CLA alone. Lowest drag coefficient of 0.25.

What we dislike:

Un-Mercedes-Benz ride quality that puts it at odds with the company’s pillars of comfort and poise.

The CLA’s 7G-tronic cog box has some pretty impressive credentials with its software derived from its SLS supercar brethren. Left to do its work, the gearbox does shift quite efficiently and quickly. First three gears will shift brisk enough to avert notice from the driver. In a word, the smooth shifting dual clutch box in automatic is brilliant. Manual override can be had through the paddle shifts behind the steering wheel.

The CLA is the first sedan from MB that uses a front wheel drive layout but that doesn’t seem to bother it in the bends. Coupled with the Direct-Steer variable ratio steering, the CLA’s rack is surprisingly quick in the bends and well weighted for the task. As the CLAs sold here are specced with the sports suspension as standard, the car handles well through the bends.

Inevitably the sports suspension leads to issues with ride comfort that seem at odds with MB’s typical blend of comfort and poise. On the expressways, the sedan rides decently well but things start getting busy once off. The CLA tends to pick-up bumps and irregularities that one usually miss in other cars.

Though that isn’t to say the CLA has no redeeming qualities besides its pretty packaging, with a drag coefficient of just 0.25, it is by far the slickest sedan in its class.

In real world terms, this translates to excellent fuel economy of 17.8km/L. While its closest rival gets just 16.9km/L.

The latest CLA is a departure from the usual sedan we expect from Mercedes-Benz. A radical styling coupled with a new drive layout all point towards an exciting development for the brand.

But has it compromised on the qualities we’ve associated with the brand? Hardly. For a sedan that is marketed towards the younger demographics with a penchant for performance and style, the CLA-class is perfectly suited.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline