JumpinJim

Read a first test review of the US CLA45 and it was a mixed bag. They said the interior was not up to MB standards and quite poor. The top of the dash was vinyl and the lower dash and center console was hard plastic and the seats were vinyl. Anyone else concerned about this? I like the idea of the CLA, but not if they're going to make the brand look bad doing it.

mr747

The c63 doesn't have the best interior going around either

JeffDL

yeah was going to mention my c63. i'd take a vinyl covered dash over the hard garbage can plastic the c is made out of.

Viper98912

You mean MB USA standards we're USED to. All around the world you can buy a higher end MB with cloth seats and a sub-2 liter engine.

In the US, they want to increase their sales in the low $30k market. With the costs of new cars ever creeping up, this is a very important target market. Something's gotta give. Not everyone can afford the new S-class.

C280 Sport

Good God have you seen the interior of any 204,203 or 202 C Class? They are pretty bad... You get what you pay for and with the CLA it is remember a entry level car so no it will not have leather all around. The CLA looks kind of cool but I will never have one in my driveway lol.

JumpinJim

The C isn't exactly the pinnacle of quality, tis true. This is apparently worse though the reviewer thought. The CLA45 is still some $60k+. A bit expensive to be covered in vinyl and hard plastics. If all that's true you're paying 60k for 20k worth of quality.

dremorg

The car's worth shouldn't be measured by the interior quality alone. Ok , maybe the dash isn't leather but the seats are and they are very nice looking Recaros. And what about the performance of this 4 banger? 390HP...probably faster & handles better than most have in their driveway right now.

Glyn M Ruck

The A Class interior has generally been praised. But only the decently spec'ed models with full leather.

Khan28

Newer Mercedes Benzes, especially the pre-facelift W204 C Classes, don't really have the best quality interiors so I wasn't expecting the CLA, one step down from the C Class, to have the greatest of interiors either. As long as the interior is assembled to traditional Benz standards and doesn't squeak and rattle it won't be that big of a deal. More importantly will it provide Benz levels of ride, handling and solidity one expects? Time will tell.

moosejaw

When have mercedes interiors ever been nice?
I think the new S Class changes this however Ive yet to see it in person.

When your commited to putting out cars at the rate of nissan or honda
I doubt interior quality is on their priority list.

jaydeedias

Like,I believe viper said, this is an entry level car. Maybe mbz is dazzling newbies with performance and amazing options so they become loyal and seek to upgrade these items on their future Mercedes endeavor.

scrwmpwr

maybe theyll do like the w203 and the facelift will have the much better interior...?

dol4er

Personally, I like CLA interior very much. If you insist on leather, you can pay for it - go for the full leather interior (dashboard, doors, seats and etc.). Is the BMW 1st series with a better interior? I don't think so...

It is not fair to compare a CLA interior to a S-class interior.

And most of all:
What more do you want from it?

Quadcammer

the plastics in the 1 series are definitely higher quality and not as rock hard.

Furthermore, I'm pretty sure you can't get an e-class with full leather in the US, so what makes you think you could do so with a CLA

dol4er

I've seen it on a CLA220 (not to talk about 45 AMG), that's what makes me think I could do so. The center console is hard plastic but that's what it is. At least, you can have a leather dashboard it is an A-class after all. I don't understand why people expect a price of an A-class, with interior of an S-class...

http://blogs-images.forbes.com/rebec...-interior1.jpg

Exekious

If you are used to driving an Evo, this would seem like a giant step forward... Set your standards low and you won't be disappointed.

interiormagic

I own a S-class, I have being in the new S-class and the CLA the same day, I wad very impress with the CLA's interior, I couldn't believe this car was only 30k, it is a steal the 45 is even better, the sexiest little car on the planet.

elijah

For us in Europe we have diff quality standards. I did notice MB USA is quite poor when it comes to it.
A friend of mine bought a spanking new A250 here in Europe with all the options and goodies. I can tell you the interior finish was superior to my cousins 2009 C300 US spec. Way superior.

Koru_Kinshi

That's a shame. I'm going to be proud to put one in my driveway next to my E55 and my C230. I think the quality is great for what it is, and frankly, I don't want an S class. I'm not a fan of huge cars.