2026 Mercedes CLA first drive: Entry level doesn’t mean basic
Posted by NISMO1968@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 84 comments
Posted by NISMO1968@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 84 comments
Calm-Inevitable3341@reddit
hasn't that been the #1 criticism of this car? that it has an absurd price tag for feeling extremely basic?
Domyyy@reddit
Actual criticism from journalists and people who tried the car or knee-jerk reactions from configurator renders on reddit posts?
The car is generally very well received by press and reviewers.
aftli@reddit
Speaking of the configuratior, I just noticed that features for which the car has the hardware are now locked behind paywalls as "digital extras". So it has lane keep assist, and all the cameras and sensors required for it, but it costs $4000 for three years, after which you'll need to renew at likely an additional $4000.
So, hard pass on all this nonsense. As somebody who owns two Mercedes vehicles now, if this is the way the brand is going, I'm out.
entrotec@reddit
No, that is misleading. Lane keep assist and so on are one-time purchases, as are pretty much all "digital extras".
That 3-year option is for the upcoming L2++ feature, which requires regular updates and connectivity.
Prince-Amir@reddit
Some digital extras don't have the option for a lifetime purchase, including:
Calm-Inevitable3341@reddit
Pretty sure I've seen that criticism levied in actual reviews... stuff like 1 zone climate control etc.
I do agree that the reception has generally been positive, but mostly with regard to the powertrain/range, not to feeling any kind of premium.
NotPumba420@reddit
I own it since two weeks. It obviously still is an entry level mercedes, but it made a huge jump in most things and is really good overall.
The interior quality improved massively. This is on C class / EQE level (I know they are not perfect, but for an entry level cla it is really good). It is so much more solid - in the old cla i could not listen to music over 50% volume because you could hear it falling apart. Not the case anymore. Except for super high bass >80% volume techno it is solid with 0 rattles and creaks. There is almost no piano black plastic anymore. While even the Maybach S class has the door handle panels in gloss black plastic the CLA is the first mercedes again where you can configure it to your liking from wood to metal or some other stuff. The seats are insanely much better and more comfortable. Not mindblowing good, but they were terrible in last gen. So to me they sorted out everything I hated about the previous CLA quality wise.
Driving: This is leagues better than any compact mercedes ever. You feel it instantly. The steering, suspension, brake pedal etc. All felt weird in the old CLA to me and not worthy of a mercedes. The EV CLA is so much better in all of these things - this is what I think an entry level mercedes has to feel like (and I did not think they would do it). Suspension setup is a bit on the sportier side, but much more comfy than before. And one really big thing: It is finally not FWD based anymore and you feel that instantly even when only pushing it 50% accelerating out of a corner. It is very well balenced weight wise and has a slight rear bias in the 4matic version and full rwd in the base version. Really fun to drive. Very good high speed stability. The 350 is also really fast. Much faster than an EQE 350, faster than the CLA 35 AMG was, faster than an EQS 450…
Software is on a whole other level for a German car. So much smoother and more intuitive UI. Really good. It is also the first google maps based MB navigation and it’s really good. But one downside is that they removed some buttons. (Memory seat numbers for example. You still have seat control on the door but „1“ „2“ and „3“ are only in the infotainment. Same for seat heating). It feels much more EV now with many small changes like not having to turn the car on anymore or keyless working without touching the doorhandles and some of that stuff, which are changes from how they have done it for the past 30 years.
Another fuckup is the touch steering wheel - but they already changed it and now the cla will be the first model where the touch was removed with old button dial things for volume and driving assistance stuff. Unlucky for the early adopters who got the shitty one though.
Best thing above all: The efficiency, range and charging speed are insane. That is a whole new league. It is the first EV, which I used where I do not have to care about not driving too fast on the German autobahn in order to not demolish my range. I put this car >180 Km/h all the time when the road is empty and it still has a really good consumption. Not sure if that is because of the new 2 gear system. And then charging is dumb fast and with a much better curve. Even at 50% battery I got almost 200 kW. Other manufacturers drop off like crazy. It is a much much better EV than my EQE 350 and EQE 53 AMG were. This outperforms a 2 classes higher BMW i5 and Audi A6 in range and charging (especially high speed range).
So honestly we are very happy with our CLA. It is much better overall than I assumed. The last gen CLA was very disappointing to me and I disliked it a lot. And especially the value is really good, which is very unusual for Mercedes.
tersagun@reddit
Enjoy your car mate!
I just wanted to get your opinion on the general comfort&driving side of the car.
We are considering selling our Clio and Corolla to get a better car and we have boiled down to A3 because of the cost/comfort/driving combination (old CLA 200 and BMW 1 too stiff to ride, not comfortable). But the new CLA (hybrid version, BTW not electrical) looks really promising.
Is it really much better compared to those 2 models and at least on A3 level for comfort? (suspension and noise wise).
Another problem is the cost though; currently CLA 220 is more expensive than a 3 years old C200; do you think it's worth paying much more for a relatively new C200?
Thank you!
NotPumba420@reddit
The hybrid is ass just keep the A3 then. What makes the CLA great is all about the BEV. The hybrid has a chinese motor and front wheel drive only…
Wolfo93@reddit
I did not have an opportunity to sit in one yet but how do you find this big plastic element that covers all 3 screens and side vents? On photos it looks like whole dash is just one big reflective screen/black plastic I hope it will not get annoying during summer
NotPumba420@reddit
It‘s one of the less sexy parts, but better than you think on pictures simply because of the real driver position and field of view compared to the interior pictures, which are often taken from further back and with wide angle lenses. On pictures it also looks like it is positioned very high and always in your field of view, but in reality it is not. So I was really worried about that and turns out it‘s a complete non issue to me.
Also mine only has 2 screens and a glowing star plastic panel on the right side (early adopter issue) and that is definitely the ugliest part of the interior. Definitely get the triple screen for aesthetics, which is available now.
Still I am very much looking forward to the new glc where it really is one big screen and looks much more beautifully integrated.
Warkred@reddit
I disagree with the third screen. Costly option for cosmetic issue that are just personal preferences.
Mean-Marionberry-148@reddit
I definitely prefer the 2 screens to the three screens. A passenger display is so pointless to me.
NotPumba420@reddit
It is pretty pointless, but it just looks much better than that plastic panel you have there otherwise
Warkred@reddit
For the steering wheel, most of the touch are clickable. For me, it's totally usable and I haven't got extreme annoyance with it.
Mean-Marionberry-148@reddit
I assume you have the CLA350 4Matic if you’re saying it’s faster than the CLA35 and EQS450? I’m very curious what the real world consumption numbers are for highway driving. I’m in the US and highway matters far more to us than city driving. A Model 3 at 80mph can return close to 4mi/kWh on 18” aero wheels. With the two speed gearbox and super aerodynamic design I’m hoping the CLA350 4Matic will be able to do the same. That would translate to around 340 miles of highway range. With the new iX3 not much more expensive and having much larger battery packs it is currently my only other consideration. The i3 sedan hasn’t been revealed but I suspect it will be priced slightly below the iX3 and have even more insane range.
NotPumba420@reddit
Yes, I have the 350 4m. I can hardly give you good numbers as it is currently very cold in Germany and I only had one 1500 Km long distance trip (where I averaged 130 Km/h, which basically meant going >180 Km/h whenever you can, which will not be possible in the US obviously and leads to much higher consumption, but not as much higher as in other cars) and I am on the largest 19 inch wheels. Otherwise I did only short distance driving so far, but it was stupidly efficient especially at high speeds.
It has much more real world highway range than for example my EQE 350 and EQE 53 AMG had. It‘s my 5th EV, but the first one, where range is simply irrelevant. It is so efficient and charges so fast, that I simply do not care about driving efficiently at all and don‘t really look at the range at all. I just start the MB Navigation and that‘s it.
JournalistExpress292@reddit
It’s RWD? Awesome.
Glsd to see more smaller cars getting these types of luxuries and dynamics.
sonrisa_medusa@reddit
The EV is single motor RWD or dual motor AWD. The ICE/hybrid is still FWD based.
N1NJ4W4RR10R_@reddit
Bit about the range is interesting. If that is thanks to the gear system, I wonder if that might end up being a solution to the tower issue EVs have as well.
pahvi0@reddit
I haven’t driven the new CLA yet, but i absolutely loved the seats in the old one.
Domyyy@reddit
Honest question: I'm usually all for every technical gimmick there is and I love most of them .. but where's the point of a multi zone AC in a tiny car?
This always seemed like a completely useless gadget to me.
tutsmabarreh@reddit
If you and your passenger like opposite ends of the temperature spectrum it is actually shit to not have.
Domyyy@reddit
Wouldn't you just end up with the average of both temperatures anyways inside the cabin?
by_a_pyre_light@reddit
You realize the AC vents point at you, right? So the air directly hitting you is controllable so you can have one temperature and output, your passenger the other. I use dual zone climate control all the time with my GF riding with me. She prefers much warmer than I do.
CeramicCastle49@reddit
What's with people in this sub and snarky responses to questions like this?
by_a_pyre_light@reddit
Well, contrary to what your teachers in elementary school said, there are such things as dumb questions. If someone is posting that the average temperature in the cabin of the car equalizes over time should obviate the benefits of dual-zone climate control, it's a dumb question and it's going to invite a snarky response.
CeramicCastle49@reddit
Woah. You're badass!
by_a_pyre_light@reddit
Finally, the recognition I've craved since childhood: anonymous weirdos online!
gdnws@reddit
In the middle where the air mixes, sure you end up with an average temperature. But air flow tends to be directed enough that you feel the set temperature on whatever side you're on rather than the other temperature.
narwhal_breeder@reddit
I've never really understood two zone climate control anyways.
Its like saying you want both hot tea and cold tea by pouring them in the same mug.
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
It’s not as much about the temperature of the cabin as it is the temperature of the blown air.
Koil_ting@reddit
It's a lot nicer if say you have a passenger who wants the window open in the dead of winter, to just have their side cooling with the dual zone climate control and driver side doesn't have to freeze due to the window being open.
xt1nct@reddit
Press reviewers are a useless metric. So, are 98% of YouTube videos. Most of these people need to suck the tit if they want access to cars.
Domyyy@reddit
I don’t disagree ofc. Especially this „talk good or don’t get invited to our events anymore“ is highly problematic.
But it’s still a better metric than „I saw imagines on the internet so I’m an expert now“
Per-100-ile@reddit
Hi, I’ve owned the car for a few weeks now. I previously had an EQA.
The car is really great; it drives much better than the EQA, feeling much sportier with a better chassis. What I miss the most are the following: there's no carwash mode, no allowance for a roof rack, and you can't control songs from the driver's display (no steering wheel commands). I hope some of these things will be improved in the next MBUX update.
The range has really improved—I can now drive 500 km even in winter temperatures, and it charges very quickly on fast chargers. Overall, I’m very happy. Most importantly, the car looks much better. I wouldn’t go back to the EQA, especially since the price is in the same range for similar equipment.
Dyep1@reddit
Criticism from people who have been driving higher than entry level…
jk-jk@reddit
The article is saying that the car isn't basic just because it's entry level, ie. it's a compelling entry level luxury car.
EloeOmoe@reddit
Yes. CLA and C Class full of creaky, thin plastic.
mr_lab_rat@reddit
Is 47k really that much for EV Benz with pretty good range and fast charging?
The cheapest gas version is 42k
MisterEinc@reddit
Yeah my gut reaction to the headline was that it sounded like triage for a very high "entry level" price tag.
mcs5280@reddit
The extra money is for the giant Mercedes badge on the front
AdShoddy7599@reddit
Looks like a Kia if you remove that big ass badge reminding you what it is. Trash
WinVistaUltimatex64@reddit
It looks either like a Peugeot or a Kia to me.
WinVistaUltimatex64@reddit
This looks like a Peugeot 3008.
I_like_cake_7@reddit
That front end is heinous.
_pcakes@reddit
95% of new cars are just shaped like beans with angry faces drawn on them
OldCryptographer8569@reddit
CLA = couldn't afford an E-class.
FuzzyFr0g@reddit
E-class = couldn’t afford an S-class
That is how it works, don’t know why you are poor shaming
OldCryptographer8569@reddit
everyone knows mercedes starts at E-class. anything less and you're trying too hard.
Koil_ting@reddit
That makes no sense man, do you also dislike BMW 3 series?
OldCryptographer8569@reddit
bmw not even in the same league as mercedes. try again, bud.
strongmanass@reddit
Not even in the same league despite directly competing in every category except the G Wagen (XM lol) and outselling Mercedes.
Koil_ting@reddit
And literally being mentioned in the same vein since the 70s or earlier. Not only are they in the same league they are the Championship rivals of said league.
crunchynibbas@reddit
How old are you dude?
OldCryptographer8569@reddit
old enough to pay to play.
ReflectedCheese@reddit
Price is everything except basic… the A Class is way cheaper but rumours say they are going to discontinue them…. But compared to the precious cla the quality has improved but cheapen out on other things like the basic sound system is really poor (sadly couldn’t even get that option as a extra because of company car) And don’t know if it’s normal but the back up camera has a reddish hue and oversaturated. But those are the only nick picks from an overall fantastic car!
Definitely going to buy a second hand one as a wagon style in a few years as my private one.
budgefrankly@reddit
As the article says
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
I doubt Merc would discontinue A-Class because most people in Europe buy hatchbacks. Maybe, they would just discontinue sedan one.
dynesor@reddit
it was among best selling cars in Europe a few years ago. They’d be mad to discontinue the A class hatchback here
Ecks83@reddit
That would be insane. Akin to Ford discontinuing a popular model like the Focus...
by_a_pyre_light@reddit
Yeah, and Ford did that because they were facing fines for emissions thanks to EU standards. The fines exceeded the profit for the cars sold to the point that each would be upside down for them. I imagine Mercedes would be similarly motivated.
tutsmabarreh@reddit
I actually really like the audio. It's powerful yet clean, best I've ever had in a car (all non top spec)
NotPumba420@reddit
Burmester system is phenomenal. Basic sound systems have been insanely bad at mercedes forever.
PanadaTM@reddit
Mercedes designers really had to find a way to shove a light bar into their new designs. This generation is gonna age so badly.
VX_Eng@reddit
Definitely
s3cf_@reddit
it just gets uglier generation after generations
dont_wear_a_C@reddit
All the C-level and below cars (non-AMG, obviously), feel and drive like shit. You are literally buying the brand and that's it.
Realistic_Concert258@reddit
Love it
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
These entry level luxury cars are the scourge of my commute. Especially the crossovers.
crunchynibbas@reddit
Uh, why?
workMachine@reddit
Saying the quiet part out loud: people who care about driving a MB for the prestige and the look but cannot exactly afford the real deal. These people usually fall under a certain profile that I would call "Poor trying to look rich". Those people also tend to drive a certain way and act a certain way.
Like someone else said, it's Altima-adjacent behavior.
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
They’re an Altima equivalent where I’m at. Usually driving aggressively, blowing stop lights, tailgating, etc.
StrangeSmellz@reddit
That's a weird thing to get mad about
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
Shitty driving is a weird thing to get mad about?
Ok.
StrangeSmellz@reddit
You literally didn't say any of that in your post.
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
Deliberately obtuse. If this remark was about Altimas would that clear it up?
StrangeSmellz@reddit
If it said F-250 Tremor yeah.
StockAL3Xj@reddit
Not to beat a dead horse but that interior is a nightmare. Just a wall of screens.
deployant_100@reddit
Did they fix the reliability issues?
High-Impact-2025@reddit
I got mine yesterday (see here) and it drives superbly!
solo118@reddit
I recently got a free upgrade at Enterprise for a '25 CLA, I promise to you it was not bad at all.... until I looked up the price. Yes you are getting a somewhat basic cars, but they should give a bit more.
Benz, BMW, Audi are all guilty of nickel and diming for options (albeit safety related options!) that should be standard. For example my Mother In Law has the latest gen E-Class, but it does not have automatic cruise control... this has been standard on many cars for like 10 years. Her dashboard lights up with 5 million mini LEDs but no ACC...their heads are in the wrong place.
costafilh0@reddit
It's an EV, so it's DOA.
Next!
gIOonNii@reddit
Meh, I've been in it twice and honestly neither time did it make a good impression. In front there is no space above my head, I feel less enclosed in my mx5, and in the rear there is no space for people with heads or legs. I got into a 992 later that day and it was more spacious.