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3.10.2020

Mythbuster: The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

Front 3/4 view of 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC.
There's a school of thought that says smaller Mercedes-Benz automobiles are lesser vehicles in terms of quality and luxury than their E-Class and S-Class stablemates.  The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC is a four-wheeled rebuttal to that dubious claim.




Rear 3/4 view of 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

The CLA250 is based on Mercedes' compact A-Class sedan, but the CLA is given a unique roofline and Mercedes markets it as a coupe.

Engine in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

Under the hood, it's a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder making 221 horsepower.  It's mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and the 4MATIC in the name refers to Mercedes' all-wheel drive system. 

All that adds up to 0-60 times in the low-six-second range and EPA fuel economy estimates of 23 city/33 highway.

Drive mode display in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

There are four selectable drive modes.  In Sport, the CLA250 shines---always seeming to be in the right gear for rightthissecond, conquering some of my favorite winding roads in the Sierra foothills.  I was looking for an excuse to go for long drives every afternoon of the week I had the car.

And I found them.

Rear seat in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

The sloping roofline does eat into rear seat headroom, and legroom back there is at a premium.  The photo above shows the front passenger seat all the way back and the driver's seat set for my six-foot frame.

Front seats in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

The base price for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC is a surprisingly reasonable $38,650, which gets you the following as standard equipment:


  • Panorama sunroof
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Bluetooth
  • Power front seats with lumbar support and memory
  • Split-folding rear seats
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • Keyless start
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Mercedes me connection services (free trial)
  • LED headlamps
  • LED taillamps
  • 24-hour roadside assistance
  • Antitheft alarm
  • Attention assist
  • Active brake assist
  • Anti-lock brakes
  • Electronic stability program
  • Brake assist system
  • Rearview camera
Instrument panel in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC


Gauge cluster in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

Infotainment screen in 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

Again, all that for $38,650.  But it should be no surprise that the extra-cost options can change the price in a big hurry.  Here's what was on our tester:

  • Titanium grey/black leather interior: $1,450
  • Natural grain black Linden wood trim: $325
  • Multifunction sports leather steering wheel: $360
  • 19-inch AMG black multispoke wheels: $800
  • SiriusXM Satellite Radio with free trial period:  $460
  • Lowered comfort suspension: $290
  • Burmester Surround Sound system: $850
  • Heated front seats: $580
  • 64-color ambient interior lighting: $310
  • Wireless charging: $200
  • Driver Assistance Package (Active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active blind spot assist, active distance assist, active steering assist, active lane-keeping assist, active lane change assist, active speed limit assist, active emergency stop assist, evasive steering assist, PRE-SAFE Plus, route-based speed adaptation, extended restart in stop and go traffic): $2,250
  • Parking Assistance Package (Active parking assist, surround view system): $1,090
  • Exterior Lighting Package (Active LED headlamps, adaptive highbeam assist): $900
  • Multimedia Package (Navigation, navigation services including map updates for three years,  MBUX augmented reality for navigation, speed limit assist): $1,150
  • Night Package (High-gloss black elements: Grille trim, exterior mirror covers, window trim): $400
  • AMG Line (AMG body styling, perforated front discs and MB lettering, AMG diamond-block grille): $1,950
  • Premium Package (10.25-inch center display, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, auto-dimming rearview and driver's side mirrors, side mirrors with power fold-in): $1,100
Front view of 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

Rear view of 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC

With $995 destination and delivery charge, the bottom line on the window sticker reads $54,110.  

No, that's not the same as $38,650, but it's absolutely on target for the look, feel and performance of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC as equipped.