- Mercedes-Benz
- AMG CLA 45
- 2022
There is only one engine, 2.0-liter turbo-4, but it's tuned for a refined 221 horsepower in the CLA 250, a potent 302 hp in the AMG CLA 35, or a fierce 382 hp in the AMG CLA 45. The CLA 250 has front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, and the AMG versions are all-wheel drive. The CLA 250 comes with a sharp 7-speed automatic transmission, the AMGs an 8-speed twin-clutch automatic.
The CLA is best for two passengers, because the rear is tight. The cabin has imaginative lines, with quality materials consistent with the high price.
The CLA 250 is EPA rated at 25 mpg city, 35 highway, 29 combined with front-wheel drive, or 24/33/27 mpg with all-wheel drive, on premium fuel. Gas mileage is 22/29/25 mpg for the AMG CLA 35 and 20/29/23 mpg for the AMG CLA 45.
The CLA hasn't been crash tested yet. Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and LED headlights. Options include adaptive cruise control and automatic lane changing.
Full Review
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a sleek small four-door sedan that Mercedes dubs a coupe because of its roofline. Mercedes might as well call it a chameleon, as there are versions ranging from the less expensive CLA 250, to the menacing AMG CLA 45. For 2022 there are only small changes.
There is only one engine, 2.0-liter turbo-4, but it's tuned for a refined 221 horsepower in the CLA 250, a potent 302 hp in the AMG CLA 35, or a fierce 382 hp in the AMG CLA 45. The CLA 250 has front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, and the AMG versions are all-wheel drive. The CLA 250 comes with a sharp 7-speed automatic transmission, the AMGs an 8-speed twin-clutch automatic.
The CLA is best for two passengers, because the rear is tight. The cabin has imaginative lines, with quality materials consistent with the high price.
The CLA 250 is EPA rated at 25 mpg city, 35 highway, 29 combined with front-wheel drive, or 24/33/27 mpg with all-wheel drive, on premium fuel. Gas mileage is 22/29/25 mpg for the AMG CLA 35 and 20/29/23 mpg for the AMG CLA 45.
The CLA hasn't been crash tested yet. Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and LED headlights. Options include adaptive cruise control and automatic lane changing.
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Retail Price
$55,900 - $55,900 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine | 2.0L I-4 |
MPG | Up to 20 city / 28 highway |
Seating | 5 Passengers |
Transmission | 8-spd auto-shift man w/OD |
Power | 382 @ 6500 rpm |
Drivetrain | AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all wheel |
Curb Weight | 3,660 lbs |
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- Mercedes-AMG
- CLA-class
- 2022
- 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA-Class
Michael Simari|Car and Driver
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2023202220212020201920182017- Highs Racy exterior design, way fun to drive, nicely-outfitted interior.
- Lows Snug rear seat space, small trunk, expensive asking price.
- Verdict With a rakish roofline, a pair of powerful turbo engines, and a taut, sport-tuned suspension, the AMG CLA-class is stunning in multiple ways.
Overview
The small but mighty 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA-class brings impressive performance and power to the entry-luxury car segment. The spunky sedan comes in 302-hp CLA35 and 382-hp CLA45 guise, both offering crisp handling and a slick-looking fastback roofline. Inside, the CLA's upscale cabin features plenty of tech features intermingled with a sporty design theme that includes aggressively-bolstered front seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, carbon-fiber trim, and aluminum pedal covers. The CLA's main rivals are the Audi S3, the BMW M235i Gran Coupe, the Cadillac CT4-V.
What's New for 2022?
The AMG CLA-class is largely unchanged for 2022, but all models now come with a USB-C accessory cable and can be optioned with the new AMG Night Package Plus, which adds black exterior trim. The optional Premium package now includes SiriusXM satellite radio, and buyers can now choose a pretty Rose Gold paint job.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The CLA45 is the most intense member of the CLA family, but its high base price pushes it into competition with larger, better sports sedans, so we'd stick with the CLA35 and try to have a light hand with the extra-cost options. Heated and ventilated front seats are a bargain at $950 and the $800 Premium package adds keyless passive entry and ignition as well as power-folding exterior mirrors with an auto-dimming function.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
While both models boast the company's latest turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the CLA35 makes 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and the CLA45 develops 382 ponies and 354 lb-ft. The CLA35 drives through a seven-speed automatic transmission while the CLA45 has an eight-speed automatic. They both have standard 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, which can send all of the power to the rear wheels. The 45 can even be equipped with a tail-sliding Drift drive mode. A set of optional adaptive dampers provide adjustable ride quality. At our test track, the 302-hp CLA35 managed a quick 4.4-second zero-to-60-mph time but the 382-hp CLA45 did the deed in 3.7 seconds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The CLA35 and CLA45 both come standard with all-wheel drive. The CLA35 is rated at 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. That represents a 4 mpg penalty on the highway compared to the less-powerful Mercedes-Benz CLA250 with all-wheel drive. The CLA35's fuel economy, however, is similar to those of competitors such as the Audi S3 and BMW M235i Gran Coupe. The more powerful CLA45 is rated for 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. For more information about the CLA-class's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The CLA45 stands out on the street from the CLA35 with a flashier grille, wider front fenders, extra aerodynamic bits, and more. However, the two have similar aesthetics on the inside. Both can be outfitted with black faux-suede accents as well as red seatbelts and contrast-stitching. They also have customizable ambient interior lighting that includes illuminated circular air vents in the instrument panel. The front seats are pleasantly spacious, but there's limited headroom in the second row due to the car's sloping roofline. This sedan provides 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. That's less than in the outgoing model, but it's still enough to house a couple of overnight bags or an average grocery haul.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The CLA35 and CLA45 are equipped with Mercedes-Benz's new MBUX infotainment system, which features tiny touchpads on the steering wheel and a console-mounted control pad. Overall, the setup is easy to use and configure. The digital instrument-cluster screen and the standard 7.0-inch infotainment display live under one large horizontal piece of glass that stretches across much of the dashboard. Bluetooth connectivity and an eight-speaker sound system are standard, and all models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The options list includes an upgraded Burmester audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgraded versions of the infotainment system include Mercedes' Siri-like personal assistant and augmented reality displays to enhance the navigation system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2022 CLA-class cars are available with driver-assistance features that can help keep you out of harm's way during your travels. For more information about the CLA-class's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mercedes' warranty coverage doesn't include complimentary maintenance, which puts it behind some of its luxury competitors. Otherwise, Mercedes' warranty coverage is largely in line with the coverage offered by comparable brands.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA35
VEHICLE
TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED
$66,340 (base price: $47,895)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
122 in3, 1991 cm3
Power
302 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
295 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.4 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 72.2 in
Height: 55.3 in
Passenger volume: 89 ft3
Trunk volume: 12 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 3626 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.6 sec
100 mph: 10.1 sec
¼-mile: 13.0 sec
Top speed: 155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 25/23/29 mpg
More Features and Specs
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