And the CLA45 lost (came in 3rd out of 3) despite the fact that it:

- Had the fastest 0-60 time

- Had the fastest 1/4 mile and highest trap speed (by FAR)

- Was tied for best road-holding

- Had the fastest figure 8

- Had the second fastest road course lap

Review and Results:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...social20430864

This is one of those things that makes you go "WTF?"

Good! I don't want other people to have my car hehe......BTW my friend with an STI drools over my CLA45.

It just makes me laugh when these car magazines go through all of these instrumented tests . . . and then completely disregard them.

CLA45 was the most expensive car out of the bunch and it certainly performed accordingly.

The biggest knocks against the CLA45 have been: 1) Understeer; 2) The DCT.

Makes me wonder why MB just doesn't cave, get rid of their proprietary DCT and MCT, and have their transmissions outsourced to proper companies.

You know 7-9 years ago, a car magazine, maybe Car And Driver or Motor Trend, had a comparison test between the 6.0L GTO and the the them Mustang.

Because they both happened to be priced at / around 32k.

They did **** loads of tests, of all sorts, 1/4, braking, max g, etc etc.

So the GTO was at 70 points and the Mustang at 50 points out of 75 or so.

Then, towards the end, they created another points category : Gotta have it factor. I mean what in the flying ****. And gave 25 points to Mustang and 2 or so points to GTO.

And so the Mustang came out higher at 75 points vs GTO at 72.

Magazines do this. It helped me immensely cause next year I bought a GTO for 25.2k the sticker price was 34k.

All good points but 79 years ago . . . ?

You've been at it a while good sir. What's the secret to long life?

I commend USCGTO for being on a car forum on the internet!

Doing the math, article was 79 years ago and he bought a GTO the next year, assuming best case scenario he was 16 at the time. Assuming that the driving age was 16 back then, that makes him 95 years of age!

7-9 ....

Had the STI had an auto transmission similar to the MCT or the VW DSG etc and it would have been even more obvious. Also folks, remember that you can get a $550 access port tune/device(plug and plays from the OBDII port) and pick another 45-50hp and 70lb-tq on the STI. I am not impressed with the CLA yet.

Many of the observations they had were similar to what I shared as part of my first impressions post after my purchase. I like the car ok, but still don't think throttle is as responsive as my other vehicles and the suspension is very tight, to the point of uncomfortable. My initial impression of the suspension wasn't bad, however the more I've driven it the less I like it for day to day driving.

There are things about the car I like, and I haven't driven the BMW or Subura for a comparison, but if I was to be unbiased, I would acknowledge the items they highlighted about the car that would put it in third place if the overall experience, not just speed was being assessed.

I hear what your saying. I don't like these "comparison test" because in the end it comes down to personal preference. Its like comparing a blonde, brunette and a redhead. Some people prefer specific things. IMO I bought the CLA45 because 1. You dont see a AMG every day (I see like 50 M3s a day). 2. It has a nice classy yet stylish look 3. It has some good power and a cool sound 4. you will be able to mod the car since its a four banger turbo

I could care less if this car comes in last place, I dig it, my friends dig it, random people that see it dig it.....mercedes must be doing something right

S Class = brunette
SL63 = Blonde
CLA45 = Redhead

LOL, I like having one of each depending on the mood I'm in. On any given day each of these give me a very different ride and experience... love the variety.

Interesting though, CLA45 is the one I choose when I really feel like

I would have said SL63 & S Class = Grey! LOL! Seems anyone I have seen driving one is grey haired!