Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

On the inside of the CLA sedan, one could sense a lot of familiarity with the A-Class’s cabin, as the overall layout is exactly the same as that on the latter’s pre-facelift version.

The three-spoke flat bottomed steering wheel feels chunky and nice to hold, whereas the instrument console behind it looks sporty with the pod-like design for it. The center console, however, feels a bit old school now, with a plethora of buttons for the infotainment system and climate control makes it look cluttered. Speaking of the infotainment system, there is a free-standing COMAND interface, below which the three-round vents for AC are placed.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan gets some really nice features despite its entry-level positioning, which includes ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. However, due to the coupe design, the headroom has been compromised with, and at the same time, the knee-room at the back too isn’t too appreciable.

Just like how a Mercedes-Benz should be, the CLA sedan has a stunning design which is capable of turning many heads, despite the fact that the original design is now a bit old and has existed for a long time. The coupe-like profile gives it a youthful image which is hard to match in this segment of cars.

At the front, the CLA sedan shares its fascia with the A-Class, and that means it gets a large and wide front grille with diamond-like design and sweptback design for the headlamp clusters, which incorporate full LED headlamps and daytime running LEDs.

Move towards the sides, and you will instantly feel its connection with the larger CLS saloon. The rounded profile for the doors and roofline makes it look very curvy, whereas the presence of curvy character lines on the side doors give it an athletic character. Also, the CLA sedan is the smallest car in Mercedes Benz’s portfolio to get frameless doors, which do make the car look gorgeous.

At the rear too, the CLA sedan looks quite sleek and beautiful, thanks to the large butterfly-like full LED tail lamps. However, the boot here looks quite small, which makes the rear look quite shrunk when viewed upfront.

Sharing its underpinnings with the A-Class, the CLA feels as athletic and agile as the former, thanks to its dynamic chassis setup. The Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan comes fitted with a 4MATIC all-wheel drive setup, which is quite adaptable to varying tarmac conditions, thanks to an infinitely variable torque distribution for the front and rear axles.

Mercedes-Benz has made the CLA sedan available in just one trim level – CLA 250, which comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The engine, coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, has the ability to put up 213 PS of maximum power output and 350 Nm of peak torque output. The engine has a rated top speed of 240 kmph, while it can cover the 0-100 kmph sprint in a commendable 6.5 seconds.

With the comfort and convenience features, the CLA sedan also shares the safety equipment with the A-Class. The CLA sedan does offer six airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, cornering brake control, dynamic traction control and hill start assist.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan might not be the most practical option in its segment owing to limited space and slightly stiff ride quality. However, it is high on drama with a very trendy and curvaceous design, luxurious interiors and agile ride and handling, which makes it one of the sportiest cars for the millennials out there