Top Gear CLA review

[Gh3382]

First Drive: new Mercedes CLA - BBC Top Gear

gh3382

 

[artyman]

Don't sound very impressed do they.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Id never rely on a TopGear review of a car, wait to see what Autocar/Chris Harris etc say.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Mercedes-Benz CLA220 CDI first drive review Review | Autocar

 

[The Boss]

its just a horrid car all around... simples

 

[del320]

Id never rely on a TopGear review of a car, wait to see what Autocar/Chris Harris etc say.

However, they are broadly in agreement.

"Think of it as a baby CLS and you won't go far wrong"

Yeah, much like a Ford Orion was a baby Granada - and originally promoted as such.

Plus ça change plus c'est la même chose.

 

[JimboDS]

Car have driven it too: Mercedes CLA220 CDI (2013) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online

Verdict
The CLA might not be perfect, but it’s hard not to conclude that its market positioning is a bit of a masterstroke from Mercedes: it looks distinctive and special (if strangely proportioned from some angles), slots into a market niche somewhere above the VW Jetta and below the BMW 3-series, and generally drives well.

The gearbox is a letdown, you’ll need more space in the back if you regularly carry passengers and we wish the diesel powerplant was more refined, but the CLA will doubtless hold wide appeal for the younger audience that Mercedes craves.

 

[JimboDS]

A bit off topic, but what gearbox do the C63/E63 AMGs have? I know it's not the same as the 7g+ in lesser models but are they also dual clutch jobbies?

 

[grober]

A bit off topic, but what gearbox do the C63/E63 AMGs have? I know it's not the same as the 7g+ in lesser models but are they also dual clutch jobbies?

Thankfully no.

 

[grober]

If people are looking for a small 4 door Coupe the VW CC [ formerly Passat CC] is a much better proposition as a Mini-GT IMHO In fact its a much underated car.

 

[Dryce]

If people are looking for a small 4 door Coupe the VW CC [ formerly Passat CC] is a much better proposition as a Mini-GT IMHO In fact its a much underated car.

Agree.

I had a hard think about the CC at the start of the year. It looks a little bland at the front but it's innoffensive - overall it looks good. Pricing is not too bad.

CLA to my eye looks too wrong from some angles - in fact some photos make it look slightly absurd - a bit like a drawn caricature of car in a cartoon.

 

[st4]

A bit off topic, but what gearbox do the C63/E63 AMGs have? I know it's not the same as the 7g+ in lesser models but are they also dual clutch jobbies?

Wet clutch in place of torque converter driving a 7speef auto box.

IMHO for a highly specd CLA you could have a lower specd c class or 3 series which is more discrete and drives the correct wheels giving a nicer driving feel.

It get a passat C&C which is better looking.

 

[cbhp]

Nice looking but I think these days brands offer too many different models instead of focussing on core models.

 

[Dryce]

Nice looking but I think these days brands offer too many different models instead of focussing on core models.

I'm inclined to agree. There seems to be almost a marketing wish to self destruct by offering too many variations on product and style.

Part of the problem though is that making a basic car that works well isn't that difficult and consumers are able and willing to pay for style over substance. So the manufacturers are driven to create lots of different styles.