2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Small in Size for the Tight in Budget
Giancarlo Perlas June 20, 2016
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA is the German automaker’s smallest sedan, perfected to target a specific buyer base. Now on its third year, the CLA received just a number of trims, feature and option updates, but all the while maintaining its fairly average price range.
There are a number of competitions in the market, namely the redesigned Audi A3, the BMW 2-Series, the Acura ILX sedan, the Buick Versano, the Lexus CT 200h hybrid, and the Infiniti QX30 by next year.
The base CLA 250 has a single powertrain, though there’s a pricier version, too, that uses a more powerful version of the same basic engine setup. The CLA 250 promised to produce 208 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 mounted that can churn out 254 pound-feet of torque.
This engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. An all-wheel drive is available as an option, though the weight is still given more on the front wheels under a number of circumstances.
Mercedes claims the engine can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. It has a rating of 26 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
Passenger capacity is for five people, although the rear seats can be quite tight in space. The front seats are better than most of its competitors, though, so that should make up for the tight rear seats. Or, not?
Overall, the interior follows the big Mercedes cockpit, though opinions are divided on the LCD screen that stands on the dashboard.
Prices for the four-door sedan CLA 250 FWD starts at around $32,050, although this can go up to $45,000, depending on powertrain options.
