Mercedes-Benz has treated its CLA Coupe and CLA Shooting Brake estate to a style and spec update - giving them a sharper and more sporty look.
Even before this facelift, the CLA represented an extremely tempting lease option.
It’s both the most affordable coupe and the most affordable estate in the Mercedes-Benz range, sitting as it does between the A-Class Saloon and the C-Class Coupe.
The CLA Coupe also has four doors, making it more practical than the two-door C-Class Coupe, and is unmistakable thanks to its sloping rear-end - and the CLA Shooting Brake estate has the same svelte backside.
Now, thanks to some design tinkering, the CLA looks better than ever, while the equipment levels have also been given a boost.
Looks-wise, the CLA has been given a new front apron, with revised radiator grille, as well as a fresh rear diffuser to ‘sharpen the sporty character’, says Mercedes-Benz.
LED High Performance headlamps come as standard for the first time, while there are new colours and alloys to choose from. As standard, all CLA models come with five-spoke, 17 inch rims.
In the cabin, as standard, you’ll find a double-screen set-up, Nappa leather steering wheel, reversing camera, and comfort seats made from sustainable materials.
And the German firm has also improved the safety assistance software on offer. The ‘Driver Assistance Package’, for example, has now been improved to include lane keep assist with active steering control while the ‘Parking Package’ features a 360-degree 3D visualisation system.
As before, there are petrol and diesel engines available - with power of between 116 hp and 224 hp. All of the petrol units get mild-hybrid assistance as standard.
Meanwhile the plug-in hybrid variants of the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake - the ‘250 e’ models - have been treated to a boost in power. There’s an extra 5 kW of power (around 7 PS) from the electric motor which actually means the CLA can travel further using electricity alone - with the range now up to 51 miles.
A DC charge from 10% to 80% takes around 25 minutes.
Meanwhile the all-wheel drive performance versions of the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake - the 306 hp ‘CLA 35 4MATIC’ and 421 hp ‘CLA 45 S 4MATIC+’ - from Mercedes-AMG have also been uprated.
The ‘35’ versions get a new AMG-specific radiator grille, reshaped front apron, and new badge, while the ‘45 S’ models have been handed new LED headlights and tail lights.
Both also get swankier new alloy wheels.
Meanwhile there are also new ‘Street Style’ special editions of both the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Coupe and Shooting Brake.
These eye-catching cars enjoy ‘mountain grey magno’ paintwork, fluorescent orange colour accents, and matt black 19 inch alloys. Very nice indeed.
And, of course, all of the AMG models are grin-inducingly rapid, thanks to a 2.0-litre turbo engine.
Both the Coupes and the Shooting Brakes have the same acceleration times - the 35 getting from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and the 45 S bringing that time down to 4.1 seconds.
A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson tells us: “With numerous innovations and upgraded standard equipment, Mercedes-Benz is strengthening the position of the CLA Coupé and CLA Shooting Brake as trendsetters in the compact segment.”
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