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2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 highlights

Customer rating

(not yet rated)

Pros

  • Interior quality
  • Fuel economy with base turbo four-cylinder
  • Many standard features

Cons

  • Snug rear seat
  • Limited cargo space
  • AMG models can be budget busters

Mileage (EPA estimate)

23 city, 33 highway, 27 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

Price
Year

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA looks and feels worthy of its luxury badge

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan is the least expensive way to put a Mercedes in your garage or driveway. A relatively affordable price and refined driving manners make the CLA a practical pick, if you go easy on the options. For the 2023 model year, the CLA receives no substantial updates.

The cabin is appointed with quality trim pieces and standard touches like a seven-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and synthetic leather upholstery. Direct rivals include the Acura Integra, Audi A3, and Lexus IS.

Several powertrains are offered—including two sporty AMG variants—though the CLA works best with a "less is more" approach. The CLA 250 comes with a frugal and reasonably peppy turbocharged four-cylinder coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. While the AMG 35 and AMG 45 versions are faster and more powerful, they cost many thousands of dollars more than the entry-level CLA.

All Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years

What is new for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

  • Leather & Suede Seats features are now available as options on select trims.

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 trims

Curious how Mercedes-Benz CLA250 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Base:

5 reasons to buy the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

What We Like

Turbo four-cylinder engines: The entry-level 221-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder can more than scoot the CLA down the road. Forgetting budget concerns for a moment, the punchy 302- and 382-hp turbo four-cylinders in the AMG 35 and AMG 45 are a riot when you hit the gas pedal.

Refined cabin design: The CLA cabin looks and feels like a proper Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicle. The materials are of high quality, the dashboard layout is modern, and all of the controls are logically placed.

Stylish exterior: The CLA possesses head-turning appeal for luxury car shoppers. This small sedan has a big personality in terms of its sleek exterior design.

What Needs Improvement

Rear headroom: There is a price to be paid for the CLA’s debonair design, and the biggest debit comes in the form of rear headroom. Tall adults seated in the back might find their heads brushing the roof. Legroom isn’t exactly abundant either.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is not yet rated. Help future customers learn about a car you've owned and write a review.

4
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Mercedes-Benz CLA250 6th out of 25 among Luxury Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Mercedes-Benz CLA250

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 FAQ

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