stratman1954

I have considered the possibility of trading my C300 Sport for a new CLA so I pulled into the dealer, who was closed today, to check one out. Seats looked nice, rest of interior like a cheaper C Class and a RIDICULOUS looking info. screen stuck in the middle of the dash. The exterior screamed Hyundai Sonota clone. In fairness I couldn't drive it so I cannot comment on that aspect but I'm not buying one anytime soon.

aowhaus

You have to remember that the CLA is based on the budget level A- and B-class lines that are not available in the U.S., and also that prices start at $29,000. This is a new market segment that MB is introducing to North America which will soon include the upcoming GLA -- it's meant to attract much younger buyers and may not appeal to C-class owners who may want to move up the model line.

While the CLA looks really photogenic, I haven't yet seen one in the flesh and I have a slight concern that it may look like a shrunken CLS with toy-like proportions.
The standing tablet-like info screen is a feature found on the A- and B-class, and even on the exclusive G-wagon.

stratman1954

The proportions did look off to me. It just wasn't "Benz-like", looks Japanese.

xaran

It was explained to me by the finance manager at the dealership I use that the CLA is geared to the Y and Z Generation, the tech based generations. he further explained that MBZ America had trained them to sell it using a more tech type approach they even have a presentation that they can do on the IPad instead of a sales man explaining it.

It is meant to compete with the Sonata and Optima in the same price range with similar features

snowmuch

I did try one of those CLAs while I was at the dealership, I found my head almost touching the ceiling which makes me quite unconformable. I'm only 6'2.

Glyn M Ruck

+1^. I don't know why everybody is trying to compare the A Class & derivatives to models 2 classes up the Benz ladder. The obvious comparison is the W205 or an upgrade to an E Class.

The new A Class is a revolution compared with the old A Class against which it should be benchmarked. Would you prefer one of these? This is the comparison in the ROW & we love the improvement.

A few Hyundai styling cues are no surprise. Benz hired the Chief Designer from Hyundai.

Gashde

Never thought Hyundai actually had a Design department.

Daveskii

You guys can bag on Hyundias all you want, but I drove my dads Sonata and that thing can MOVE. As far as design, I dont think the CLA looks that bad, but fully loaded w/ tax you might as well get a c300.

snowmuch

Hyundai and Kia looks nice when you first look at it. Then you find it ugly because there are so many flaws if you look at it in detail.

alsyli

That's a shame, since Hyundai (actually, more Kia) is turning out some excellent designs (I can't comment on the cars themselves), even w/ cars as prosaic as the Forte.

Saw a CLA driving around Encino, CA, today. Looks exactly like it does in the pics. Kind of squat and like a chunkier version of the VW CC. Not bad, although I wish MB would drop the ridiculous (and presumably non-functional?) air ducts on the lower half of the back end car. But I guess that's what really young folks want.

It looks good enough for the price. Assuming this car is halfway reliable (since it seems from reviews that it drives quite nicely), I think it'll be a hit here in the US.

Glyn M Ruck

Since Peter Schreyer, ex Audi design chief has taken over at KIA their designs have become very pleasing & aspirational leading to massive growth in global sales. Schreyer has been made the first non Korean president in the Hyundai/KIA chaebol & just had the Hyundai styling division placed under his control as well.

Pristine

That's good piece of information. No wonder Kia's designs have improved significantly - especially Optima.

OCDBenz

It won't be long before Kia and Hyundia overcome the stigma of being low-budget economy car companies. Honda and Toyota faced the same challenges in the 1970s. I have ridden in a loaded Optima and, while I would never admit it to the owner, it rode nicer and felt nicer than my Mercedes. I was impressed. The high-end Kia Cadenza is going for nearlky 50k with options though. A lot of money for a car with a Kia emblem on it.

Glyn M Ruck

I think that Hyundai/KIA have a number of manufacturers worried. Schreyer has got them to understand that quality, fit, finish & texture has to match the good looks. This has fallen on fertile Korean ears only willing to oblige. Best warranties in the industry.

If I was Toyota/Lexus & others ~ I would be worried.

spyked

There is STILL something missing in Kia/Hyundai products. They are great values in the under $20k area, but they ARE NOT premium. They don't quite understand (yet) how to get a car to FEEL good going down the road.

Put even the cheapest German or Swedish car on a road at 100 mph and it feels more solid and planted than the most expensive Kia or Hyundai at 60 mph. They just don't know how to tune suspensions in a premium way. Sure, they can do sporty, but they equate sporty with hard. Or they can do luxury, but they equate luxury with 1970's Cadillac Fleetwood.

I am sure they will get there, and I have recommended them to people, but as a car lover, no Kia or Hyundai if it costs anything close to something else in it's segment.

Glyn M Ruck

While I would rather have a KIA Cerato today than a Corolla I know what you mean.

Interestingly Hyundai/KIA intend heavying up the feel of their cars much as Honda have done for Europe. (actual weight will also increase). So expect to see some changes .

katuga

Got a chance to see the new 2014 CLA 250 and wow...the seats look nice. A few nice features are standard like Paddle shifter, Illuminated Door sill, 14 way front memory seats, split folding rear seat, head-rest ambient lighting, Advance TPMS, ECO Start/Stop which I would prolly hate but I feel jealous.

Invain15

Saw one in person today. All I have to say is that I agree, NO WAY!

robnyc

My same situation being 6'2 CLA won't work for me but it looks awesome I was more interested at the CLA 45 AMG though =D // 4cyl turbo 355hp wow

Indeed!
Personally I think the Hyundai Genesis looks good but the Optima looks way better than the Sonata.

Yep ! Seen the loaded Optima in person , in white with pano sunroof looks hot

shotgun_banjo

Saw one yesterday. I like the seats from the outside but when I sat on it my head is almost touching the roof. Don`t bother seating behind the front seats as it is tight specially the headroom is really low (my head was touching the roof if I move a little) The quality feels like the new B class from inside (seat padding, dashboard, you name it). It is good for the price. But from people like me who is coming from a C and has a B-class I would say it won`t fit the bill. The back end looks good though except the fake venting on the bumper, looks ricey to me. The front end looks okay as well but somehow something is missing and perhaps the next 3 years after the refresh it will look even better. Overall the shape is decent enough that a young person who has $35k to spend on a car will be enticed to buy one. In the end of the day if you will compare it to the new b-class in terms for bung for buck I will go b-class all the way as it will be more useful. Never compare it on the c-class not even close.

Citation Driver

I sat in one the other day. Looks like a very nice car at its price point Some improvements over my C250 include a larger, more legible nav screen, much better rear camera display with yellow and red guidance lines. Seat bolsters appeared to be more pronounced. Center console less cluttered. Not sure how I'd like the transmission lever on the column. Even the salesman commented on the lack of rear seat room. I need to drive one before passing anymore judgment on the CLA.

ggms16

CLA - Front wheel drive? HELL NO FOR ME.

victort

went to see it today. $38,000 for a FWD corolla-sized car, Mercedes badged or not? no thanks! i'd pass.

aowhaus

The CLA will be available with 4-matic.
The B-class, which has been available in Canada since 2005 and redesigned for 2012 with features and an interior similar to the CLA, is also front wheel drive (no 4-matic offered). It has been selling pretty well here due to its practicality and fuel efficiency and makes for a great city car. I had a chance to drive a 2013 B200 turbo as a loner vehicle when I took my car into service recently and I was impressed.
It's definitely far from sporty and luxurious as a C-class, but it is well equipped (with some features unheard of in this price category), felt solid and feels much more expensive than what it is (the B-class is priced at about $4,000 less than the CLA in Canada).

2012 B-class:


I think the CLA will sell extremely well because of its low price point, high style and decent performance, with a three-pointed star as a bonus. It will attract lot of buyers new to MB. I think it is an appealing car, but I won't be considering buying it as I would like to rather move up the MB ladder than getting something that will probably far outsell the C-class and many of them be bought for teenage kids by their parents.
But if I only had a choice between the BMW 125i and a CLA250, I would definitely take the CLA.

Shifter

Not sure here. I'm 6'5" and driving have plenty of headroom. Not so in the back.
Must say it drives loads better than the current C250. Even being fwd.