Mercedes-Benz CLA-class review, test drive

What is it like to drive?

To set it apart further from its lesser hatchback brethren, the CLA-class has been given the more powerful ‘200’ engines from the GLA-class crossover. That means a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes 181bhp and 30.5kgm of torque, and a 2.1-litre turbo diesel that produces 134bhp and 30.5kgm. It, too, uses a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, but unlike the AWD CLA 45 AMG, the standard CLA-class will be front-drive only. The petrol motor is pretty responsive. The CLA 200 is quick off the line and the fast-acting 7-DCT transmission swaps cogs smoothly to haul you forward in one seamless surge of acceleration. This engine has a pretty broad powerband with a meaty mid-range, which makes overtaking quite effortless. Keep the engine in the heart of its powerband and the CLA responds instantly, whisking you to some serious speeds. However, this motor doesn’t like being revved to dizzy heights and starts getting audible near its modest 6,200rpm redline.

More vocal is the CLA 200 CDI, the diesel motor clearly making its presence felt at anything other than low revs. It’s not the quietest of engines around, with a distinct clatter at idle and a fair amount of diesel roar as the tacho needle sweeps past 4,000rpm. However, at cruising speeds, the engine is pretty silent and it’s hard to tell you're being powered by a diesel. Cabin insulation and road noise are pretty impressive, and when driven at sedate speeds, the overall refinement makes the CLA feel every bit a Merc. A big surprise is the CLA’s driving dynamics, which feel more mature than the A-class hatchback. We had criticised the lack of compliance and hard edge that hurt ride comfort in Merc’s compact cars, but in the CLA, Mercedes has softened the suspension to give it a newfound suppleness that nicely rounds off sharp edges like expansions joints and broken tarmac. Deep potholes still thump through and the lack of wheel travel is still evident with the short, sharp vertical movements you feel on uneven surfaces, but it’s never to the point of feeling harsh.

There’s a bit of torque steer and a tendency to tramline under hard acceleration on uneven surfaces, more so in the petrol car. Steering was never a strong point in any of Merc’s compact cars, and even the CLA’s helm isn’t exactly bristling with feel. The steering isn’t hugely responsive and is a little numb, especially around the straight-ahead position, but it’s fairly accurate and the weighty feel gives the driver a fair bit of confidence. In fact, it’s the assurance the CLA gives from behind the wheel that is one of its strengths. Straight-line stability is superb and the nose-heavy CLA doesn’t get unsettled easily, which underscores the benign dynamics of this compact saloon. In fact, the faster you go, the more grown up the CLA feels with its unflappable poise and relaxed demeanour.