2023 (73) Mercedes-Benz CLA CLA 35 Premium 4Matic 4dr Tip Auto

The CLA 35 4MATIC is a fast, appealing but pricey package. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

The entry-level Mercedes-AMG 35 drivetrain gets more striking packaging with this CLA version, offered as a four-door Coupe or a Shooting Brake estate. It's gained mild hybrid tech in recent times, but the package here is otherwise familiar, with pricey style and speed in equal measure.

Background

So, how would you like your Mercedes-AMG 35? In A 35 hatch form? As a GLA 35 crossover? Or perhaps with the bodywork of this prettier CLA model, which comes as either a four-door 'Coupe' or a 'Shooting Brake' estate? In terms of pavement presence, the CLA models win hands-down. Which is significant because the AMG 35 package needs a unique selling point to justify ambitious pricing which puts it up against significantly more powerful hot hatches and SUVs. That '35' package was upgraded in 2022 with the addition of the brand's mild hybrid tech, but otherwise not too much has changed on this CLA 35 4MATIC since it first arrived in 2019, the more accessible stablemate to the wild CLA 45 4MATIC+ model. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

You'd hope this CLA 35 would drive pretty much like the A 35 hot hatch model and by and large, it does. The four cylinder 2.0-litre engine borrowed from the A 35 has the same performance stats with this updated CLA 35 model - 302bhp and 400Nm of torque. This has now been embellished with a 48V mild hybrid module which adds 13bhp to the powertrain at low revs and also energises the start stop system. The 62mph from rest sprint takes 4.9s en route to 155mph. And there's a 4MATIC 4WD system that allows up to 50% of torque to be sent to the rear axle. But you don't get the torque vectoring rear differential of the faster CLA 45, or that car's wild 'drift mode'. There's an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G 8-speed paddle shift auto transmission and buyers get much the same 'Dynamic Select' driving modes system as you'd find the AMG GT sports car, with 'comfort', 'sport', 'sport+' and 'individual' settings. There's quick, precise steering. And with top 'Premium Plus' trim you get adaptive damping, though you won't want to engage the stiffer 'sport+' mode very often because it makes the already rather over-firm ride firmer still. There's quite a bit of road noise, but what might sell you this car to you is its fruity exhaust note complete with parps and crackles. Through the turns, there's lots of grip but not much of a feeling of hot hatch-style engagement.

Design and Build

The AMG designers here have more or less kept the basic CLA shape, though with wide wheel arches and a slim sporty waistline. The two powerdomes on the bonnet are also adopted as sporty details. The radiator grille has classic twin louvres and the AMG Line front apron features flics on the air inlets, plus there are silver chrome louvres in the outer air inlets. From a side view, the aerodynamically optimised 19-inch light-alloy wheels catch the eye. The rear view is dominated by a rear apron with a potent diffuser insert, plus there's a small spoiler lip on the boot and two round tailpipe trims. Inside, there are AMG sports seats and pedals, a bespoke AMG steering wheel and the expected big twin screens of the MBUX multimedia system and the Widescreen Cockpit instrument display. The driver can choose between the three AMG display styles "Classic", "Sport" and "Supersport" for the instrument cluster. The "Supersport" mode is particularly striking with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter. The centre touchscreen multimedia display also emphasises the dynamic character with individual AMG displays such as visualisation of the driving programs, AMG TRACK PACE and telemetry data. The AMG-specific centre console in piano lacquer finish with standard touchpad has additional buttons that control the functions ESP, manual transmission mode and Adaptive Damping System. In the rear, two adults will just about fit. Out back, there's a 460-litre boot, but if that's not enough, talk to your dealer about the CLA-Class Shooting Brake estate variant. Here, there's a 505-litre boot.

Market and Model

The CLA 35 4MATIC prices from around £50,000 in four-door Coupe form - that's in base 'Premium' form; there's a plusher 'Premium Plus' variant available for just over £54,000. Add on an extra £1,500 or so to both figures if you want the alternative 'Shooting Brake' estate version. Either way, though very pricey in segment terms, it's much more accessible than the faster CLA 45 model (which costs over £68,000). Both '35' versions have 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, an AMG sports exhaust system and LED high performance headlamps. Plus 64-colour ambient lighting, an AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather and an MBUX augmented reality navigation system. To this tally, Mercedes also adds black leather upholstery, AMG-branded floor mats, sports seats and illuminated AMG door sills. There's also the brand's advanced sound system with 225-watts. Stretch to 'Premium Plus' trim and you get an AMG Aerodynamic Package, AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with electronically controlled damping, a panoramic sunroof and MULTIBEAM LED headlamps with the brand's 'adaptive high beam assist plus' system. In addition, the 19-inch wheels are of a more eye-catching 5-twin-spoke design and are finished in painted matt black with a high sheen rim flange. There's also a seat memory package, an exit warning function and traffic sign assist.

Cost of Ownership

The CLA 35 Coupe manages up to 32.1mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and between 190 to 192g/km of CO2; or 32.8mpg and 194-195g/km if you go for the Shooting Brake version. These figures don't seem to have been very noticeably improved by the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid system to this revised model's 2.0-litre AMG-tuned four cylinder turbo engine. The electrified bit comprises of a belt-driven starter generator (RSG) and an additional 48 volt on-board power supply. The second-generation RSG set-up functions as a mild hybrid and in addition to a temporary power boost of 14PS under mid-range acceleration, it permits such functions as coasting and recuperation for supposedly greater efficiency. The 48 volt technology is also supposed to improve comfort, with the transitions of the start/stop and coasting function barely noticeable.  The CLA 35's 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving mode system doesn't feature a frugal 'Eco' setting but if you keep this car in its 'Comfort' mode, the auto gearbox will upshift itself earlier to promote frugality. Service intervals for this CLA 35 will depend on how far you drive and under what conditions - but Mercedes does offer 'ServiceCare', which allows you to spread your bills into manageable payments, guarantees the price of parts and labour for up to four services, and covers the cost of recommended service items such as brake fluid, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters and screen wash. Another thing we'll need to tell you is that the comprehensive three year unlimited mileage warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer. Insurance is group 37E. And the BiK tax rating is 37%.

Summary

The '35' powertrain package is the entry point to the entire Mercedes-AMG range and were we to be choosing it, we'd be most tempted by this CLA version. It doesn't cost much more than the equivalent A 35 hatch but feels a much more desirably premium bit of kit. Instead of your boss and/or your friends looking disapprovingly at a bespoilered hot hatch in the car park and dismissing you as someone in a mid-life crisis, you'll be more likely to be thought on-trend or aspirational. If that matters. If it does, then this CLA 35 will probably appeal hugely. If it doesn't, you'll look at what's being asked for this car and probably choose something else that's cheaper, faster and more involving. But will such an alternative have the same lasting appeal? That's a question you'll have to answer.