Every now and then, a vehicle comes along that infuriates you. One that riles you up to no end and actually makes you mad. It pushes all the right buttons and gets you triggered in a way that few others have. I have to admit, the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is one of these vehicles for me, but probably not for the reasons you think.
I have been rather vocal about my stance on calling a 4-door saloon a coupe and I've lamented the fact that the sedan market, and particularly the compact sedan market, is a fast-fading one. You may even have heard me question the decision by Mercedes-Benz to introduce a rival A-Class sedan when there's already a model in their lineup that fits the bill - the CLA.
Related: Mercedes-Benz A200 sedan (2020) review: Bold moves in a crashing market
All of this will probably have you thinking that my opinion of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is that it is terrible. That it is a pointless machine and that I would recommend you look elsewhere for your compact sedan kicks. But you'd be wrong.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC is brilliant.
And it's for this very reason that it infuriates me. I wanted to hate it, I wanted to despise it and everything it stands for. But I just can't. Mercedes-AMG has taken - admittedly, a flawed offering - and turned it into something of desire.
Styling
I will always have my reservations about the CLA shape and form. The sloping roofline at the rear does hinder rear-seat headroom and the raked C-pillars can cause claustrophobia in passengers. But let's shoot straight here - how often do you really have adults in the rear seats of your car?
The CLA 35 gets the "AMG-lite" treatment. You get some full-bore-AMG cues, such as the power bulges on the bonnet and the requisite badging, but the overly aggressive flares and bodywork is reserved for the CLA 45 S model. The 35 tones it down a bit, but still manages to look every bit like a bespoke AMG.
You will find a twin-spar front grille and an aggressive front bumper design, with the obligatory F1-style front wing element, flanked by two large air dams and silver spars in the ducts. You will also get a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, but these have a conservative design with their multi-spoke, polished face finish. It manages to straddle class and performance in its execution. These are wrapped in 245/35R19 Michelin tyres, mere smearings of rubber on the rims.
At the rear, you will find a faux-diffuser element, flanked by two sizeable chrome exhaust tips. The 45 S doubles this number, in case you were wondering.
I'm still not a massive fan of the shape, but the AMG garnishings make it considerably easier to live with. In fact, I could quick quickly look past my reservations with this one.
Interior & Space
The CLA 35 4MATIC does well to hide its humble origins. The discerning customer will spot the entry-level nature of the CLA model in some of the trims used, trims that don't necessarily carry the same luxurious quality that one sometimes expects from the Affalterbach firm. Plastic is used instead of aluminium in places, like the switchgear, and the indicator stalks and steering wheel surround can feel a bit cheaper to the touch. These are small detractions from what is otherwise a clean and tidy design layout that is packed with a lot of high-end technology.
I touched on the compromised rear headroom, but front passengers will undoubtedly find the front portion of the cabin to be rather agreeable. Despite its smaller size, the CLA does well to provide a spacious environment for these passengers.
The boot is a respectable 460-litres but suffers from a small aperture that limits the overall size of the items you will be able to store. The swooping lines of the rear end encroach and as a result, you may be able to get a fair amount in, provided they're individually packaged. Some clever Tetris-like manoeuvers will be required when packing it for the annual holiday.
Comfort & Convenience
Our test model was well-specced - up and to a point. The sports seats were without electric adjustment and the lack of lumbar support did make them a touch on the firm side. They did wonders to provide lateral support but I feared that on the longer journeys, the backrests could prove tiresome. This is a small detraction from an otherwise pin-point ergonomics setup, the wheel and controls falling near-perfectly to hand and only minimal seating adjustments required to get the ideal driving position.
You do have the option of selecting the widescreen cockpit arrangement that sees the two screens of the MBUX infotainment system linked into a classy, immersive design. The system allows for a variety of cockpit layouts to be displayed, including 3D-like graphics with a simplified interface. The MBUX system accepts the regular fare of Bluetooth and USB connections with support for Apple CarPlay.
Track Pace is a handy addition to the system that allows you to record lap times, drag race results as well as acceleration and braking statistics. It also allows for track overlay telemetry, using the GPS sensors to plot your racing line around your local racetrack. Throw in the AMG steering wheel with its F1-inspired controls and you'll feel like a racing driver every time to head out.
Performance
And you'll probably want to take it to the track because the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is amazing to drive. Where earlier AMG models made you think that they merely took an existing Mercedes-Benz model, dropped in a performance engine, lowered the suspension to rock-hard status, and sent it on its merry way, the latest batch feel like they've been designed from the ground up.
The CLA 35 is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine and before you scoff at the idea, I challenge you to open your mind. Open it to the world of turbocharging, modern direct injection and the latest in engine technology. The idea that displacement conquers all is now officially dated.
You will get no less than 225 kW from the 4-banger with an impressive 400 Nm on tap. Mate this to an AMG Speedshift DCT 7G 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and send it to all four wheels through the clever and impeccably programmed 4MATIC system, and you have a car that goes like stink and corners like a housefly. It will do 0 - 100 km/h in only 4.9-seconds before topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h. It's here where the CLA 35 hits its stride. Not in its top speed, but rather in the way that it delivers manageable power. Just the right amount for a spirited drive without scaring you senseless.
Steering feel is sharp and precise when you select the Sport or Sport+ modes and weighted enough to still be fairly communicative when set to Comfort. The brakes check up extremely well but I had to get used to the way that it gets off the line in Comfort mode. I would always get the sensation that the clutch was slipping and I don't doubt that this has been done to prevent you from lurching into the car in front of you, but it remained concerning nonetheless.
Fuel Economy
If you, by some miracle, manage not to drive the CLA 35 like an absolute hooligan, Mercedes-AMG says that you can expect a combined fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km and an anticipated range of around 700 km on a full tank.
Me? I was having far too much fun to be worried about my fuel spend. Every time I hit the start button, my plans to drive like a well-adjusted, contributing member of society were quickly dashed. As soon as I switched it over into Sport mode and heard the active exhaust open up, I could feel the horns growing on my head.
Safety
A vehicle as engaging as this will naturally have you revelling in the sporty nature of the creation, but AMG hasn't left it there. You're looked after through the myriad of driver assistance, passive, and active safety systems.
Lane keep assist, DISTRONIC active cruise control, blind-spot warnings and traffic sign assist all work to keep you safe and protected. you will get no fewer than 7 airbags with an additional two airbags optional for improved safety. Mercedes-Benz's PRE-SAFE system further helps you in the event of an accident by playing an audible sound that triggers the body's natural survival reaction. This helps protect your ears from the sounds of the accident, helping prevent long-term hearing loss.
Price
This amount of fun comes at a price, after all, you are getting a genuine AMG product and not just a CLA in an AMG skirt. As such, before options, a Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC will set you back R956 640. This makes it a tough sell when you consider that its stablemate, the Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC sedan will run you almost R100 000 less, coming in at R858 520.
Competitors
One naturally has to consider the A35 4MATIC sedan when you look at the CLA 35 as they offer a near-identical package with the only major difference being the styling. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is in the mix here if you absolutely have to have 4 doors, as is the Audi A3 sedan, or rather, the S3 sedan. If you're ok with a true, 2-door coupe, then can I interest you in the likes of the BMW M2 Competition, a Ford Mustang, a Toyota Supra and heck, even a Porsche 718 Cayman... that's right, you can get a lot of sports car for your money.
Verdict
The question we always ask ourselves here is; "Would I park one in my garage, if it was my money?" The answer for me here is 'No', I wouldn't. If I had to have a 4-door sedan of this ilk in my driveway, it would be the Mercedes-AMG A35 sedan. I drove these cars back to back and they're amazing feats, I just prefer the A-class sedan's styling - that's all. But if you can live with the CLA design, then, by all means, go for it. You will not be disappointed.
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