Mercedes CLA 250 4Matic (2019) in the top test

D he first Mercedes CLA has relatively offensively evoked taste expressions - possibly one of the secrets of his success: 750,000 customers chose him. About half of them have never owned a Mercedes, the manufacturer proudly announces. Our forecast is: The second CLA should also be a success, because it evokes expressions of taste again.

In principle, the CLA remains true to itself: It is an elongated Mercedes A-Class in coupé form with four doors. This has to be specified more precisely, after all there is now a sedan of the A-Class; this differs from the CLA mainly in the height of the roof structure.

Hans-Dieter Seufert

Sitting in the back is already possible in the Mercedes CLA, but it is only a limited pleasure to ride with.

Whereby we would like to mention the special feature of the CLA: It is as long as a C-Class, but more crouched. As soon as you get in, it becomes clear why Mercedes does not speak of a coupé completely wrongly: To get into the rear without bumps, you have to carefully duck your head while being careful not to get your feet caught on the transition from the sill to the B-pillar.

Just like its big brother, the CLS, the Mercedes CLA was not designed with the greatest possible practical use in mind: the loading sill is high, clarity is restricted by the narrow windows at the rear, and the trunk is cave-like and angular. In addition, you sit deeply.

Test car with a larger brake system

The fact that deep sitting was once one of the great achievements in vehicle construction is almost trendy in times of carriage-like SUVsFall into oblivion. As a reminder: if you sit deep, you can hardly tip over in curves and feel more of the driving behavior here - as in the CLA Coupé.

The fact that the Mercedes test car has big plans in terms of performance is demonstrated with the technical equipment detail. Package including a larger brake system on the front axle. This means that the CLA decelerates excellently, especially at high speeds. Disadvantage: The technology package costs 3,522 euros because it includes multibeam LED headlights and adaptive shock absorbers.

Hans-Dieter Seufert

Thanks to 350 Newton meters, you move forward quickly at full throttle. The sprint to 100 km /h is done after 6.7 seconds.

The latter vary their damping forces depending on the road surface and lateral forces. They prove all their skills on rumbling stretches, and the Mercedes CLA shows how well it can take it. At first, with its 18-inch wheels and low-profile tires, it responds somewhat bumpily to bumps; but wild waves seem to fizzle out in the damper oil. Springs and shock absorbers absorb them over short distances and keep the body steady. Because our test car directs its power to all four wheels when necessary, it has no problems converting the enormous torque into propulsion. The seven-speed dual clutch transmission has an easy job with 350 Newton meters, and it practically never gets out of step when sorting the gears.

The two-liter turbo is always present in its efforts. To put it positively: In sport mode, he accentuates load requirements with growls. Viewed negatively: The sound insulation does not go beyond the level of the compact class. The CLA does not hide its technical basis even when the tinny door slamming.

Make an impression with voice control

In the four-door model, two large displays combined in a tablet can shine if desired. They are commanded either via the control pad on the transmission tunnel or via the multifunction steering wheel. The central screen also reacts to finger presses and swipes. In addition, the entire system can be controlled via MBUX voice control - provided that the extension for this has been ordered. Then the CLA reactsto a demanded “Mercedes!” and offers the occupants his surfed Internet knowledge.

Hans-Dieter Seufert

'Hello, Mercedes!' - The MBUX voice control reacts to a demanding pronounced 'Mercedes!'

Anyone who is obsessed with progress or wants to impress their regulars' table friends can call up various previously defined favorites by gesturing when they go out together - for example navigating home. If you are out and about after dark, a similar aha effect can probably be achieved differently: if you approach the inside mirror with your hand, the reading light switches on automatically.

For lovers of unusual design

For one or the other, this may be enough as a self-commendation for the considerable investment in the Mercedes CLA. You wouldn't do the vehicle justice if you put it in the drawer of a gadget tool, because the four-door coupé is not primarily aimed at adult playful children.

Hans-Dieter Seufert

The Mercedes CLA is quickly becoming a car for digital natives. For an additional 583 euros, the driver can even open the car with his smartphone.

No, the Mercedes CLA is similar to the CLS to lovers of unusual designs who have enough liquidity.Because the XXL compact model also has XXL prices: Our well-equipped test car adds up to almost 63,000 euros. It has always been a bit more expensive ...