The upgraded 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe range is now rolling into showrooms sporting several changes – some of them good, others not so much.
The mid-life makeover for Mercedes-Benz’s smallest sedan is designed to increase its appeal alongside competitors like the Audi A3 sedan and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Positive changes include a more fashionable exterior design in the form of resculpted LED headlights and tail-lights, new grille designs, new hero colours and significantly improved equipment and tech levels.
But the added features don’t come cheap, with the entry-level front-drive Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 Coupe now $7000 more expensive and the all-wheel drive CLA 250 4MATIC Coupe now costing $5800 more at $76,900 and $85,900 (drive-away) respectively.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA equipment levels
However, while Mercedes-Benz says the price increases are due to the rising costs of shipping and materials, all four CLA-Class variants now offer added standard equipment including a panoramic sunroof, metallic paintwork, electric and memory front seats, a 360-degree parking camera system and improved semi-autonomous driving features.
All CLA grades LED high-performance headlights and new paint colours include Hyper Blue and Spectral Blue, while subtle tech upgrades see the latest MBUX multimedia operating system add more features, customisability and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
The top-spec Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and CLA 45 S Coupe models previously came with much of these extras and are priced at $99,900 and $129,900 (drive-away), representing gentler sticker price increases of $1300 and $1900 respectively.
AMG buyers also get a few extras to sweeten the deal, including a head-up display, guard 360-degree vehicle protection plus and the AMG Night Package for the CLA AMG 35 Coupe, while the CLA AMG 45 S Coupe adds even more ‘black-pack’ eye candy with the AMG Night Package II, red brake callipers, AMG real performance sound and AMG Track Pace add-ons.
Both AMG versions add a sporty body kit including an AMG-specific grille, while a high-end Burmester surround sound system and driver assistance package are also part of the deal.
Mercedes-Benz CLA 250
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA powertrains
Mid-spec all-wheel drive CLA 250 (165kW/350Nm) and AMG CLA 35 (225kW/400Nm) Coupe variants retain the same engines as their predecessors but the latter gains an eight-speed automatic transmission – up from seven gear ratios.
The entry-level CLA 200 Coupe (120kW/270Nm) gets a 20Nm boost for a little extra thrust and the top-spec Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S scores a considerable power hike from 285kW/480Nm to 310kW/500Nm, matching the A 45 hot hatch and GLA 45 SUV.
Nevertheless, the CLA 45 S Coupe’s claimed 0-100km/h sprint time remains unchanged at 4.1 seconds.
In Europe, plug-in hybrid versions of the swoopy German compact ‘coupe’ also get a modest e-motor power bump of 5kW and improved battery charging rates, but they are not offered in Australia where Mercedes-Benz seeks to skip the stepping-stone PHEV tech and go straight to EVs.
The current-generation CLA will soldier on for the next handful of years until the arrival of an all-new version of the popular mid-size luxury sedan, which was recently previewed by the Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA show car.
So far this year in Australia, Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sales are down 27 per cent on the same period last year due in part to dealerships running out 2023-plated vehicles ahead of this facelifted CLA.
Even so, the CLA has still outsold its main rival, with 920 vehicles finding homes to October versus 890 for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S
How much does the 2024 Mercedes CLA Coupe cost?
200 Coupe – $76,900 ($7000)
250 4MATIC Coupe – $85,900 ($5800)
AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Coupe – $99,900 ($1300)
AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC Coupe – $129,900 ($1900)
* Prices are drive-away
Source : CarSales
