Mercedes CLA Coupe

In 2012, Mercedes proposed a radical change for the smallest of its ranges. The Class A went from being an urban model to a compact one in order to compete in one of the most popular segments of the old continent. Thanks to this successful renewal, the Germans set out to conquer the market with different solutions and bodies, as is the case of the Mercedes CLA Coupe. A model of great popularity that is already in its second generation.

The first of them saw the light just a year after the launch of the Mercedes A-Class compact. And from that precise moment success has accompanied him in each of his steps. Today it is one of the best-selling sedans in different markets. And thanks in part it is due to a very stylized design characterized by its marked coupé line. In 2023 Mercedes introduces a small update, focused mainly on technological improvements and a renewed mechanical offer.

In this way the Mercedes CLA Coupé is at the top of a range that is completed with different bodies. On the one hand the compact Class A and on the other the Mercedes A-Class Sedan. A less attractive and more functional and compact vision of the Coupé. To these three bodies we could add a fourth, the familiar variant of the CLA, the so-called Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake.

Technical characteristics of the Mercedes CLA Coupe

For this second generation of the CLA Coupé, Mercedes has replaced the previous platform with a new one called MFA2. It is the same one used by its range brothers such as the Mercedes GLB, Mercedes B-Class and Mercedes GLA. Said structure is better prepared for efficient versions, but at the same time it is capable of supporting large and demanding levels of power and performance.

The platform change has also involved a change in the dimensions of the Mercedes CLA Coupé. 4,68 meters long, 1,83 meters wide and 1,44 meters high. To these levels we must add a wheelbase of 2,72 meters, which translates into a correct habitability for the occupants of the rear seats. The family bodywork does not modify any of the exterior measurements, although it does improve the interior ones.

In terms of cargo volumes, the CLA has lost 10 liters compared to its predecessor model. Right now the CLA Coupé has a minimum boot capacity of 460 liters. This number can grow in two ways. The first is if we fold down the second row of seats. The second is opting for the Shooting Brake body. In the latter case the minimum volume is 505 litres.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Mercedes CLA Coupé

As usual, the Mercedes CLA Coupé family boasts an extensive and varied mechanical offer. All engines feature a turbocharged four-cylinder structure. All these mechanics can be associated with automatic gearboxes of seven or eight speeds, and with front or all-wheel drive systems. The range is made up of: two diesel versions, six gasoline versions and a plug-in hybrid. All units are also available in the Shooting Brake body.

The range of gasoline engines starts with the CLA 180 with 136 horsepower with an ECO label and reaches a maximum of 421 horsepower from the AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+. For its part, the supply of diesel engines is shorter. It starts with the CLA 180 d with 116 horses. Next is the 200-horsepower CLA 150 d, followed by the 220-horsepower CLA 190 d.. All these engines certify the C label of the DGT and are not accompanied by any low hybridization system.

The most efficient of the range is the Mercedes CLA 250 e Coupe. A plug-in hybrid that uses a four-cylinder engine and two liters of gasoline to which is added an electric motor that adds another 102 horsepower. The total power of the set is 218 horses. To that must be added a 15,6 kWh lithium-ion battery of capacity that allows it to circulate in a 100% electric way during an approved autonomy of 85 km. It obtains the ZERO label from the DGT.

Equipment of the Mercedes CLA Coupe

As usual in the house, Mercedes wants to be crowned the most technological brand in the world. For this, it is equipping all its models with surprising equipment. From the Mercedes S-Class, up to the small A, all the models appear in the highest positions of technological reference. In the case of the CLA, the range is structured in levels: Progressive and AMG Line.

From its access level, all the equipment that the Mercedes CLA Coupé can have for itself is remarkable. We are talking about solutions that are just a sample of how much it can take. We highlight elements such as full LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, automatic climate control, rear camera and MBUX multimedia system with voice control and seven-inch touch panel.

If we jump to the highest equipment, or if we pull the optional list, we discover the technological power of the CLA Coupé. Components such as the LED matrix headlights, the Head-Up Display, the keyless access and start, the 360 degree camera, navigation with RV, multimedia system with 10,25-inch screens, sunroof, and much more. We cannot forget the gifted team of security assistants that make it a car with level two autonomous capability.

The Mercedes CLA Coupe in video

The Mercedes CLA Coupé according to Euro NCAP

One of the keys to the renewal of the second generation of the Mercedes CLA Coupé is the safety aspect. In these terms, the crash tests Euro NCAP have certified the coupé saloon as one of the safest in its category and in the entire market. Outstanding are the results in the safety sections for adult and child occupants, with scores of 96 and 91 out of 100 respectively. Five stars deserved for the model. These valuations remain valid after the 2023 update as there are no changes to the structure of the car.

The Mercedes CLA Coupé in the Km 0 and Second Hand market

Thanks to the commercial success of the Mercedes CLA Coupé, in the second-hand and second-hand market we find a wide range of offers and possibilities. Since the second generation is relatively young, the first generation of the CLA is the most common in the lists of used cars. When talking about a premium brand and a listed model, depreciation remains low, well below the usual in the segment.

The cheapest units correspond to the first generation, around the years 2015-2016, with an estimated price of 15.000 euros for diesel units of medium power and high mileage. On the contrary, the Km 0 channel remains very active with units that are around 40.000 euros and that, in some cases, can represent an attractive discount with respect to the list price. As it happens in the used channel, the usual tonic is to see low and medium power engines, mainly gasoline.

Rivals of the Mercedes CLA Coupe

The Mercedes CLA did not invent the segment, but since its launch it has been the rival to follow. Such has been the accumulated success that some opponents have recently joined the fight, as is the case of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, an unprecedented model in the history of BMW. To him we can add more rivals like the A3 Audi Sedanalthough on a somewhat smaller scale. If we move away from the general segment, we will add more natural enemies such as the Mazda3 Saloon or Volkswagen Arteon on a larger scale.

Highlight

• Exterior design
• dynamic behavior
• Equipment

To improve

• Price
• Rear seat accessibility
• Change 8G-DCT

Prices of the Mercedes CLA Coupe

It serves as a precedent to say that we are not talking about a particularly economic model. As the spearhead of the Mercedes A-Class, the CLA Coupé is the most expensive model in the family. In the absence of the arrival of more versions, currently the starting price of the Mercedes CLA Coupé is 42.843 euros for the CLA 200 petrol. The most expensive in the family is the 35 horsepower AMG CLA 4 306MATIC Shooting Brake. In this case, the minimum price is 67.991 euros.

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