Pros: Improved rear space, lots of tech available
Cons: Less refined than the electric version, more expensive than rivals
This second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA made its debut as a fully electric car, but there’s also a hybrid version, which may suit those who don’t want or can’t quite live with an EV for whatever reason. With the A-Class saloon now discontinued from the Mercedes range, the CLA takes up the mantle of being the smallest saloon available, though it has a sportier shape, which is in part dictated by aerodynamics.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid Design
In comparison to its predecessor, the CLA hybrid does look like a more complete design, though Mercedes has gone a little overboard with the number of three-pointed stars it has affixed to the exterior. The grille is covered in them, as are the headlights and rear lights. There’s a range of wheels available from 17 to 19 inches in diameter, and a sportier AMG Line version tops the lineup.
From the outside, there’s little is differentiate the hybrid from the electric variant, other than a different radiator grille. It’s a better-proportioned car than to the previous generation, and there are plenty of modern touches, including a new front lightbar that connects the headlights, flush-fitting door handles and a more aerodynamic silhouette. Frameless doors are another premium touch, and there’s a broad choice of colours available.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid Interior
Never a brand to shy away from making a statement with its interiors, Mercedes’ CLA features a bold, upright dashboard stretching from side to side as if one whole panel of glass. In the top-spec version, this contains three display screens comprising a 10.3-inch driver’s instrument panel, a 14-inch central touchscreen and a second 14-inch touchscreen for the passenger to use. If you don’t go for the third screen option, it is replaced by a panel, which doesn’t alter the overall look of the dashboard.
Some will find it impressive looking, and the native infotainment system does work well, reacting quickly to inputs and providing all of the modern connectivity and entertainment options one might expect. With so much functionality being contained in this system, there are few physical buttons around the cabin, though Mercedes has improved the multi-function steering wheel by adding roller and rocker switchgear for certain functions. A small strip of haptic controls beneath the central air vents includes drive mode selection and window clearing functions.
Overall material quality is decent, but you will find some less-premium surfaces if you go looking. In general, the interior looks and feels well made. There’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel position, and rear passenger space feels improved over the last-generation CLA. It has a separate boot lid rather than a liftback or hatchback, and that does make the opening for the boot a little constricted. It can accommodate up to 405 litres, but if you need more space, there is a CLA Shooting Brake on the horizon.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid Performance & Drive
A choice of powertrains is available for the Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid, all of which use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine as the base. This is supplemented by a 22kW electric motor that is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, and there’s the option of Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system with more powerful engines. The base model is the CLA 180, which gets 156hp while the CLA 220 tops the trio with 211hp.
At lower speeds, the CLA is capable of some electric-only driving thanks to its 1.3kWh battery. It switches into electric driving in traffic and lower speeds whenever possible, and the electric motor is up to the task of moving the CLA along with ease. That motor is capable of recuperating energy at up to 25kW, so the battery gets recharged quite quickly for further energy deployment.
During partial engine loads, the switch between the motors can go unnoticed sometimes, and when the combustion engine is active, the eight-speed automatic shifts through gears with the expected smoothness of such a setup. However, when you demand more from the engine, it can become vocal and, on steeper climbs, it even sounds coarse, reminding you that it’s not an especially large-capacity engine. We didn’t get the opportunity to sample the base CLA 180 model, but would expect this experience to be worsened in that car. That being said, we did also experience some lengthy bouts of engine-off coasting, which contributed to respectable levels of fuel consumption.
Other driving aspects are typical for Mercedes cars, with suspension that feels well-judged and generally soaks up the surface imperfections with ease. The steering is on the light side, and while there are different drive modes available, we expect few will cycle through them as little changes.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid Pricing
The full price range for the Mercedes-Benz CLA has yet to be finalised, but a starting price of €57,960 is listed on the brand’s website, which is higher than the CLA Electric, starting from €53,425.
Carzone Verdict
In many ways, the electric version of the CLA is a much more appealing prospect, but as we mentioned at the start, not everyone can or wants to go down that route. Sticking with a simple hybrid setup works well here, and the CLA can be quite efficient once you put in the effort. However, with an already high starting price and scope through numerous options to make this even more expensive, it isn’t the best value currently in the market.