2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: First Impressions
CARS.COM — Mercedes didn’t make many changes to the design of its entry-level CLA-Class sedan, but the new front and rear bumper styling evolves the car’s appearance in an eye-pleasing way. The pinched look of the front bumper gives some aggressiveness to a design that didn’t possess much, while the exhaust tips now are better integrated with the rear bumper.
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Even less is different inside, though this is where we would like to have seen more changes. The dashboard air vents have a cheap feel to them that higher models in the Mercedes lineup avoid, and there’s also still too much hard plastic trim. Even though it’s an entry-level model, the CLA-Class’ cabin needs to be nicer if it wants to be seen as a real luxury car.
The updates also don’t address one of the big shortcomings of the CLA-Class sedan: backseat passenger space. That swoopy roofline has consequences, and it’s your backseat passengers that have to deal with them. Headroom is limited for taller people, and views out the side windows are restricted by the dropping roofline. The CLA-Class has four doors, but when you sit in the backseat it feels like you’re in a coupe.
