Mercedes CLA Gets a Facelift

Mercedes claims that since they've started selling more compact models (of which there are a total of 5: A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA), the customer base has become younger. This can only mean one thing. The Germans need to step away from the old man's wood and start thinking about what younger customers are looking for.

The facelift paves Mercedes' way for doing just that. New bumpers at the front and subtle changes at the rear make it look just that little bit more sleek, while a black diamond grille oozes quality.

Outside, a new Cavansite blue metallic paint is available alongside five 18-inch alloy wheels. Step inside and some new seat covers and trim parts broaden the options list. Chrome-plated controls such as those of the door-mounted electrically adjustable seats remind the occupants that they're sitting in what is essentially a premium compact vehicle.

All CLA models are equipped as standard with active brake assist, but the options list goes a long way. Some of its assets are LED headlights that have been tweaked to closely resemble natural daylight as opposed to bright xenon. Talking about xenon headlights, the new LED technology, according to Mercedes, uses 60% less energy, and up to 70% less energy than standard halogen headlights.

Elsewhere, you can find the tickbox for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as keyless entry which now includes hands-free access to the boot via a waving motion by the foot under the rear bumper.

One thing you won't be short on is engine choices. There are no less than 11 engines with two- or four-wheel drive as options.

Kicking off the diesels is the CLA 180 d BlueEFFICIENCY. Power comes from a 1.5-litre engine, with figures of over 80 mpg and as low as 89 g/km. Despite that, the 108 bhp and 260 Nm make it good for 0-62 mph in 11.6 seconds.

There's also a regular CLA 180 d which isn't quite as efficient. Two 2.1-litre diesel engines produce 134 and 175 bhp and 300 and 350 Nm. They're the CLA 200 d and CLA 220 d, both of which are optionally available with 4MATIC four-wheel-drive. Running costs are around the 70 mpg mark, with emissions below 110 g/km. You can't go wrong.

The extensive petrol lineup starts with another economy-orientated model, the CLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY. This time, a 1.6-litre engine produces 120 bhp and 200 Nm. This means around 50 mpg and 117-126 g/km of CO2.

Another bog-standard CLA 180 is available as well as a more powerful 154 bhp 250 Nm CLA 200. It's the CLA 220 4MATIC that really impresses. Mercedes has channelled 181 bhp and 300 Nm through all four wheels, whilst still retaining mpg figures in the 40s and around 150 g/km. That's from a 2.0-litre unit, just like the CLA 250 and CLA 250 Sport, both of which can be specified with 4MATIC. They produce 208 and 215 bhp and 350 Nm, yet can still achieve figures not too far from those of the CLA 220 4MATIC.

Lastly is the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC which boasts all the same figures as the AMG A 45 4MATIC hot hatch. They are 376 bhp, 475 Nm, around 40 mpg, 162 g/km of CO2, and more crucially, 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds. That's all from a modest 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.