2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review
Price Range: $25,590 - $44,590





+242
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Minor revisions to standard and optional feature availability
- Part of the second CLA generation introduced for 2020
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$163/mo for CLA-Class CLA 250
CLA-Class CLA 250
vs
$158/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average
#7 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$574/yr
vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car
for Average Luxury Compact Car
Frequency
1.08x/yr
vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car
for Average Luxury Compact Car
Severity
6.7%
vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car
for Average Luxury Compact Car
powered by RepairPal
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Styling, Hi-Tech Sold Me
4 out of 5 starsPete G, 07/16/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
I picked this particular Mercedes because it is a beautiful design and offers the same driver assistance features as the high end MB models: standard brake assist, lane keeping, front and rear cameras and sensors, blind spot and rear side warning. I added the optional full assist package with 360 “cameras” road sign reading and speed adjust, etc. On a well marked highway the car will … drive itself indefinitely with just a finger on the wheel. A tap on the turn signal stalk gets an automatic lane change when it’s clear ….. very convenient and I use the feature often. But styling alone would sell me on the car. The CLA looks especially good from the rear quarter where the curved roofline joins the simple curves of the lower body. The interior is years ahead of mid range MB models and competitors with a continuous multipart screen that covers most of the dash. The infotainment controls are doubly or even triply redundant with touch screen, steering wheel, and a pad controls for most functions. It is so much easier to use while driving than the iDrive system in my BMW that I actually use most of its features. There is a voice activated assist that gets simple commands right, but copes poorly with anything beyond that. For example trying to get the odometer reading bu asking (to avoid changing any of the driver’s three info screens to see the odometer), proved impossible. The promised computer learning curve so far, in over a year, is close to flat. The standard powered front seats are comfortable and roomy for average height people. Good leg room with thigh support extensions, but sexy styling provides minimal head room. Rear seat suffers more and space is very limited but we don’t use the CLA if we have more than two adults in the car. Engine performance is good. Turbo boost comes in smoothly, but the dual clutch 7 speed transmission is often jerky and hesitant while driving in traffic. It has three performance settings with comfort setting the default. I drive in sport setting in traffic because low gears are held longer and there are fewer shifts made. Any good manual driver will shift more smoothly than than this transmission. The CLA comes with more standard features than comparable BMW offerings but doesn’t offer equal performance. It is the “luxury” alternative and has an interior that beats most, if not all of its competitors as well as higher line models. Give this car a traditional torque converter transmission and I would give it 5 Stars.
Great Car
5 out of 5 starsthis is a great car, 07/07/2020
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
easy driving, comfortable, good pick up, looks great
A COMPLETELY NEW CLA
5 out of 5 starsTOM, 05/20/2020
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
I recently traded my old 2016 CLA 250 for a new 2020 CLA 250. Although I was happy with my 2016 the new model is totally different and substantially better. The previous negative review must have been out of the USA (and was a 2019 model) since MB doesn't even sell the 220 model in the US. I have had mine for 6 months and love it. It is significantly quieter and quicker and has a … smoother ride. The interior is plush and tops in its class. The user interface is incredible and you talk to "Mercedes" to accomplish tasks, etc. And make sure you get the ambient lighting package which is just simply cool. I recently went on an extended road trip and got 37-41 MPG at 74-84 mph on cruise control. Not bad. It all boils down to personal preference for sure but most drivers will really enjoy and appreciate this car!
Awesome Car
5 out of 5 starsPharoah 2020, 02/07/2020
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 250 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
This car is really great so far. Swift acceleration, loaded with technology, and beautiful looking body
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the CLA-Class since its last redesign.
2021 CLA-Class Highlights
Sedan
CLA 250
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $37,850 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $163/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the CLA-Class models:
- Active Brake Assist
- Warns of an impending front collision and applies the brakes if you don't react.
- Blind-Spot Assist
- Displays a warning triangle in the mirror if a car is in your blind spot and beeps if you activate a turn signal.
- Attention Assist
- Uses many sensors and other data to tell if you're getting fatigued and suggests a rest stop.
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