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