BMW introduced a gran coupe version of the 2 series coupe.
I put it against the 2020 CLA the king at the moment, to see how it compares... didn't expect this outcome!
Video here:


Let me know your feedback!

Thanks

 

I am surprised that the BMW's interior and tech package was not at least equal to the 2020 CLA. I think MB's decision to offer MBUX in both the A and CLA Class units is a direct appeal to the techie and millennial's buyers. You can't just match horsepower and dimensions and think all things are equal, the market has changed. It will be interesting to see what the Audi A3 will look like when it gets a refresh.
It is just shy of two months for me in my CLA 250 4Matic and I am just now starting to get a handle on the performance and on all the features of MBUX. I have to tip my cap to MB for giving us 3 years of updates for MBUX and a 30 day trial period on the in car WiFi.
I agree with the review that this engine transmission combination are more than adequate, but I do miss the 9 speed from my previous C-Class. For MB drivers going into a Front wheel biased car does take some getting used to even with 4Matic.
You should have shown the cars at night, but since they were both loaners I am guessing there were time constraints. The MBUX system with ambient lighting at night is like some futuristic cockpit. I get a lot of folks slowing down just to take it all in. It is customizable so you can tune it down and take off the bling. But whats the fun in that?
With overall car sales on the decline this is an interesting tack that Mercedes has taken going forward. Those Tesla fanboys have their E-cars but MB now has the MBUX tech they wished they had.

 

I think BMW is late to the game! The CLA has been such a success, even the AMG one. I know about 7 people that own a CLA. At the same time, BMW have positioned themselves in a weak spot, similar pricing isn't very competitive. Better later then ever I guess. The CLA has a sick design, interior and exterior. Very appealing!But not everyone would appreciate it in the same way, some will like the BMW style. Looking forward to more 2 series and to drive the 235i GC. Thanks for the feedback, I am the reviewer. Cheers.

 

I have an A220 and it is my first german car. I would definitely say I'm part of the younger generation and am a tech-savvy individual. I purely chose Mercedes because of the technology and the 'younger' feel. However, my A220 has been riddled with issues and am pursuing a buyback from Mercedes. And unless Mercedes can turn me into a happy customer... which will be pretty difficult. I will not recommend it nor get another one.

I have a few weeks left before I get an answer on the buyback and with that being said - I was looking into alternatives from the german segment. I do like the BMW 2 series, but the interior and infotainment between the 2 is a night and day difference in a major favor to Mercedes.
In my honest opinion, most vehicles will get you from point A to point B in a relative manner. A Mercedes CX-5, in my opinion, is twice the vehicle of the current generation of the GLA 250 with it's 'old' design style/infotainment/interior etc for a vehicle that's a quarter of the price.

That said, it's the interior and infotainment and build quality that wins my business. And well, my A220's fit/finish and overall build quality is worse than a Ford Focus. But again, there's a reason I'm pursuing a buyback..

Just my 0.02c for what it's worth. The reason I'm browsing this section is because with a buyback/replacement - I'm going to request Mercedes to put me into an up-optioned CLA or CLA35. I'm sure they will shoot that down and that's their right. But it will also be my right to not go through with the buyback and pursue a lemon law so that they cannot sell a vehicle that belongs in a junk yard .

 

Thoughts on the new CLA class?
https://www.motorist.sg/article/475/...edes-cla-class

 

Having exposure to a somewhat wide variety of Benz vehicles over the years (11 so far), our '20 CLA250 4matic is an interesting car.

Things that pop out:

• MBUX screens make the car feel cheap. Look like iPads and leave a low-effort impression since they're tacked onto the dashboard without any surrounding instrument panel sculpting.
• MBUX is cool but at times overwhelming. At least the climate controls have physical buttons. Android Auto is fine. The way it integrates into MBUX is a big benefit.
• We have the non-AMG suspension, and it's a bit floaty but not the worst thing in the world. It does lack the chiseled granite ride quality of older Benzes, and it can take bumps a bit harshly. This behavior was more evident on the AMG sport pack cars, so we preferred the cruiser suspension tuning. Either way, it feels a bit cheap.
• The doors, trunk, interior materials are all cheap and few are soft touch. The visual appeal is great but the tactile feel is appropriate for ... a CLA250. No mistaking this car for a nicer Benz. My '12 C300 had much nicer interior materials.
• Seats are harder to get comfortable in. They feel oddly shaped. It's like they're 90% of what size they should be. I'm still trying to discover if this is something I can adjust with the proper settings. It reminds me of driving an Audi A3 loaner vs. the S3. The S3 seats had longer lower and side cushions and felt appropriate whereas the A3 seats felt like they were meant for a 14-year-old child.
• The transmission is occasionally jerky when pulling off. Otherwise, it's generally imperceptible. It does a decent job in Sport when I want to be more aggressive. It doesn't take forever to downshift like older Benz automatics. Full throttle shifts are a lot quicker as well.
• The engine is OK. When using the paddles and avoiding the kick-down switch it's a bit pokey at low revs. It's not bad, and I recorded a 5.9 second 0-60 dragy time. I'm pretty sure it's quicker than my old '12 C300 with a tune.
• The car is very quiet around town and on the highway. This is the biggest benefit of the low drag coefficient on the C118 chassis and is likely its best quality.

Don't let those comments make you think I don't like the car. It's just interesting how for $45k one used to get a bit more build quality and tactile luxury. It seems the trend is to shift to electronics to attract buyers, and Mercedes has done well engineering these parts of the car and paying attention to details. The CLA250 is fine to lease, but I would be hard-pressed to purchase or finance something like this brand new. I've also driven the A35 and CLA35, and both of those were more enjoyable aside from the annoying (and loud!) augmented engine noise. I perceive them as offering a bit more value than the CLA250, especially if one sticks to a more basic spec and gets a higher 40s example vs. a better equipped mid-40s CLA250.

It's evident Mercedes, and other manufacturers, are working to find ways to survive and make a margin. Mercedes got the big things right and they have modular components and architectures that can be applied across different chassis and models. This reduces cost but it also reduces that special feeling that should come with a Mercedes. For example, the only thing that really changes on MBUX applications is graphics. They're the same screens in the CLA, E, and future C. The new S-Class will even feature variations of the same (cheap) screens. Tech is great when it's current, and the MBUX platform allows MB to frontload investment and allow for updates and unlockable, chargeable, tech components, but these screens will get old and outdated. If anyone has experience replacing the speedo and radio screens on a W222 S550, you'll also understand the added cost when something goes wrong. Again, margin needs to be made, and customer preferences dictate business decisions, but at what stage do we get to feel a little bit of that old Benz magic again? There's something to be said for sitting down in a timeless cockpit where things work.

Either way, I think next go around we'll look at a C-Class or E-Class lease, or maybe take another look at a CLA35/CLA45. I would've preferred a more basic C300 over this CLA250, but it's not bad. In fact, we should've gone with the Volvo S60 T6 we looked at; it was a lot more car for the same lease money.

 

i agree with you in many of your points. I do like mine Cla but for a 52k car I was expecting more. Love the MBUX tho and yes the setting feels incomplete. That’s why I bought what it showed in the pictures attached. Now it looks a 1000 times better. I opted for the base none Amg line one. The 2020 model had the option of adaptive air suspension and it really blew me away. Don’t know why is no longer an option on the 2021 model. I didn’t get the Amg line cause I opted for every available package like hud, cooled seats etc. The Cla 35 was at the same price as mine but other than a better tuned engine cause the cla35 has the same engine as the cla250 it felt that I was getting less with the cla35 that was at that price in stock at the dealership. Didn’t want my car to race I want to have a fun enjoyable driving experience and value technology more. I didn’t took a 4matic one and preferred the base cause the 4matic in the Cla 250 is a total waste of time. It runs on fwd like 95% of the time and only use 4matic in very random and specific times. I don’t feel like the screens are cheap tho. The screen definition is superb, it was mentioned in many reviews. I love the augmented reality navigation and I find it extremely convenient.

 

Where is the auxiliary battery of the a220 cla 2020 model located.It’s from Germany..