ScottLong

TLX I4 CLA 250 AUDI A3.

If you can have one right now. What would you choose?

All three come fully loaded.

kurtatx

TLX or CLA. CLA if it's free, but the CLA I want is far more expensive than its stripped down base price. The TLX tech is just such a better value for the price. I'm not an A3 fan.

H_CAR

Hmm, hard decision:

-TLX is cheaper and better equiped
-TLX is the least expensive to maintain
-TLX will probably be most reliable
-TLX probably drives the best
-TLX has the most room
-TLX has an 8 speed DCT that unlike the Benz, is a decent one (CLA has a 7 speed iirc)
-TLX, to my eye any way, looks the best though the A3 looks great too.

TLX it is.

kurtatx

And all of this. I may not love the TLX look as much, but the CLA is so stripped down.

lindros2

Well this was surely an unbiased post.

brutustlx

I chose the TLX 2.4+tech over an Audi A3 2.0T Premium+ (I got a very nice quote on this so pricing was pretty close to the TLX deal I got).... albeit skipped a bunch of features you get on the TLX to not spend 40K on an Audi... those options add up, but could live without them. Test drove them back to back multiple times.

I am coming from needs for a family of 4. We all really dug the Audi, it was fun, from the drive, to the interior, less grownup then the TLX. If it was just my wife and I, or we just started a family, then we probably would have gotten the Audi.... but the Acura just makes so much more sense in terms of room, not to mention it will be more reliable and has more features for the money, etc.... I hate to use this word with the TLX but it was just more practical... and it was also more techie (son absolutely loved it) that is as compared to the A3. BTW also looked at the A4, the TLX stomps it, the A4 just seems dated, the A3 is just better then an A4.

CLA too small backseat, interior is full of some cheap materials and the screen looks so tacked on.

The TLX for me is about the most perfect size, not to big not too small. Accord too big, TL too bloated, a bit bigger then a TSX which is perfect.

Give me a TLX with AWD and 2.O T and that would be my perfect car.

Seriously you guys who are younger and not regularly need to carry people in the backseat should check out the A3, you can carry 4 adults no problem, but they would not want to take a long drive back there. Over 6ft would be tough though.

It is hard to ignore the value proposition with a TLX, it really is a lot of car for the money with a douse of fun.

Stew4HD

Huh?

hadokenuh

Fully loaded?

I'd pick the CLA.

dysonlu

You wouldn't know.

Stew4HD

Indeed, my friend!

kurtatx

Why don't you go compare cars with 200 more horses you'll never use?

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I will get the A3 which is worth over $45k fully loaded, sell it for $40k, buy TLX I4 Tech, then use the leftover money for a set of nice wheels with grippy tires, a nice set of coilovers, and may be some bolt on's.

ATLPatrick

The CLA is far to rough riding for me to even consider it, I really like its looks and it can be optioned up with some nice features but that ride quality ruins it for me. The A3 is quite a nice little car, very nice features, drives wonderfully, and looks great. However I have known far to many people with VW's and Audi's that had more problems with their cars than Ive ever seen. That alone would stop me from buying one. The A3 also does not feel quite as mature as the TLX, and while it does look good as I said the TLX looks better in my eyes. The TLX V6 also has quite a bit more power than Audi's 2.0T. If you only plan to keep the car for a few years and you want a smaller car than the TLX the A3 would be a good choice, but I wanted a car I could keep and love for years to come, so I choose the TLX. Now if we were talking ILX vs A3 vs CLA, I would take either of the Germans before the Acura, the ILX is just to similar to the Civic. But size, performance, and reliability wise they just don't stack up the the TLX in my opinion

Ken1997TL

I would only buy a German-made Benz. Same goes for Audi.

saturno_v

If price is not an issue, definitely CLA (well equipped)

Second spot for the TLX and third the A3.

knv8

the nav screen design on the cla is pretty ugly

mr2core

A neighbor just got a red CLA. Personally, that little car is very ugly to me from its side view with that large overhang in the front and stubby behind (IMO). Never been a Benz guy. The A3 is nice, but just a smaller looking A4, my fav Audi is S5, RS5. Maybe I'm bias, but I'll take the TLX. Great price, right sized and good looks (to me).

JM2010 SH-AWD

TLX (V6, preferably SHAWD) in a minute. Not a close contest, especially as to the A3, which is an expensive econobucket.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

krio

The CLA has an ugly face; but a good interior.
The Audi A3 is by far smaller than the TLX; the interior is minimalistic but high quality.
I would go for a TLX; is overall a better value.

Quandry

Just goes to show, different strokes for different folks. I like the face of the CLA, but it has taken me while to accept its interior with the stuck on iPad like display. If the GLA had been available for sale at this time that is what I might have gotten (had been researching for over a year). The interior is almost identical to the CLA and the front is very similar.

weather

..and to me, the face is the only thing I like! I hate the profile, the droopy ass and the interior (to an extent).

MikeAmmo

Having test driven both, I'm a much bigger fan of the TLX. I never thought I'd say that because I love the look of the A3 so much more.

graphicguy

The suspension in the TLX is WORLDS better than what comes in the CLA, which would grow real tiresome, really quickly. I haven't driven the '15 C Class, but my sister has a '14 C Class. That's closer to what the TLX competes with. Again, like for like, the C Class is going to cost quite a bit more, though.

Haven't test driven the A3 yet, so can't comment. Just a general statement based on my ownership of an S4, the A3 in general will be much more expensive to maintain and repair than the TLX. S3 might be tempting, but that's way more money optioned like for like with a TLX. A4 is the real competition, but option that up like for like with a TLX, and you're looking at a pretty sizable price delta.

Nedmundo

TLX, for the usual reasons of reliability, value, and practicality. I don't like the CLA, the A3 is too small, and I just don't trust VAG reliability. I'd sooner buy a Focus Titanium with AWD than an A3 or A4. (In fact, if Ford would convert that into a Fusion ST with 6MT and more aggressive suspension tuning, I might not be able to resist.)

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

am i the only person think that the CLA is ugly? obvious not

d1sturb3d119

iTrader: (1)

The TLX's suspension is exquisite. Even though I have modified my suspension and reduced body roll the TLX manages to do what I've done effortlessly and the dampening is dialed in perfectly. You can haul ass in that car without breaking a sweat. Easily one of its best features. And understeer is non existent! Beautifully riding car. The rest of it is just okay as far as interior styling goes but with regard to drive and connectivity it is perfect!

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

If the CLA's grille swept a bit that would fix the front, it is way too upright. They should paste that to the rear end of the 2015 C-class. Get rid of the fake iPad navigation screen and put it back into the center console. That would be a great baby Benz.

What's with this weird "sticking out" screen fad with the German cars lately? All the Audis, MB and BMWs are starting to all get them now. (except the S-class and 7series) I hope they get over that soon. I'm glad none of the import set has copied it yet.

JM2010 SH-AWD

Fully agree. What a mis-mash of misshapen lines and angles. Can you imagine the internet howling if Acura had produced a hot mess that looked like the CLA?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

@ rocky

Don't worry, Hyundai will copy it soon

fsttyms1

Id take a Gently used CTS-V.

weather

^^ Isn't that like saying that you'd take a virgin playboy playmate?!? Its an oxymoron no? Both have been ridden hard.....

fsttyms1

Nope. Not even close, i was talking about low mileage, not worn out where you cant enjoy the feeling.

newkatbie

iTrader: (1)

The CLA looks better
The a3 can be awd
The Acura will brake down far less often and cost much less to own. It will get less respect from owners of European cars and young kids.
I'd rather drive a car and not have to worry about breaking down on my way to work. That's my opinion.

Glashub

I see quite a few CLAs in LA. It looks like a sausage or jellybean. Long and narrow. It is not a handsome car. This coming from a 4g and IS owner. I know ugly and the CLA takes the crown.

florissant

If all 3 are the 4cyl AWD versions, it would be a very tough decision, but I would probably lean towards the A3, it is most likely the sportiest, no doubt the fastest, and with better tires. Link

randomRon82

lmao

florissant

Now that I think about it, the TLX 4cyl isn't offered with AWD as of yet..still going with the A3, close 2nd is the TLX. The leather on my TL isn't wearing well and doesn't like the high houston temps..

Nedmundo

I'll add that, if I wanted a car as small as the CLA or A3, I'd probably go with a sport compact, either the Focus ST or WRX. The WRX reviews indicate it probably has too much road noise for me, but perhaps some Dynamat could fix that. The Focus ST is about as quiet as my 2G TSX, which is impressive, and I think it rides just well enough to be a daily driver for me, though perhaps not well enough for family duty. It's getting some nice upgrades for 2015, and I'll test one when it's available. I really don't care about the badge, but I do care about having MT, so I think I'd take the ST with 6MT over the CLA or A3.

If the Audi offered a stick and decent reliability, different story. It's reminiscent of the first gen A4, which was fantastic. A buddy of mine had a 1995 A4 1.8T with 5MT, and it was a blast. IMO, that first gen S4 with the twin turbo V6 is one of the coolest sport sedans ever.