It might be that the CLA35 is star-crossed. Each drive of the new CLA35 has brought with it something bad. Of course, this is no fault of the CLA35, and our test cars have both run without any issues. Our first Mercedes-AMG CLA35 experience coincided with a bad cold. It's hard to enjoy anything, including driving a new car, when you're trying to not cough all over your passengers. Still, that first rip in the CLA35 revealed it to have precise steering with a satisfying heft, quick acceleration with barely any evidence of turbo lag, and an interior that didn't live up to the expectations set by the $47,895 base price.
HIGHS: Sleek shape, encourages speed, rides better than many other AMG products.
The second CLA arrival to the office in late March came during an even worse situation. If you're reading this shortly after it is published, you know what I'm talking about. If not, consider yourself lucky that time has carried you so far enough away from spring 2020 that you've forgotten why it was bad. See what we mean about star-crossed?
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Michael SimariCar and Driver
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At least there was a complete lack of traffic on the road home after collecting the CLA from the office on the last day before it closed. While worry clouded the mood, a series of sweeping curves in the road brought out a desire to press the CLA35 hard. Unlike the CLA35 we drove in Phoenix during the press launch, our test car in Michigan came equipped with winter tires, and the softer compound created a bit of squirm under cornering pressure. But even with the cold-weather footwear, the CLA's steering is direct, its 302 horsepower feels appropriate, and its ride—often a problem in AMGs—is controlled without being harsh.
LOWS: The more powerful CLA45 could be had for the as-tested price of our CLA35, interior quality isn't up to the as-tested price, AI assistant is constantly interrupting, did we mention the as-tested price?
Mercedes-Benz sent the second CLA35 our way to give us more time in the car and to allow us to gather instrumented data. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented us from gathering test data on the CLA35. We promise to test one as soon as we can. Our estimates put it at a 4.6-second time to 60 mph, and through the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds. All-wheel-drive traction and launch control make the most of the turbo four's power. And while those times don't upend the segment, the CLA35 is a rung below the 382-hp CLA45. The CLA35-grade 2.0-liter four provides strong punch, but it doesn't make thrilling sounds or make us want to grab the paddles that control the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to ring the engine out to the redline. Left alone, the dual-clutch automatic is quick, smooth, and unobtrusive.
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Michael SimariCar and DriverThe cabin is a pleasant place to be, but it's not so nice that you regret leaving it. Mercedes uses less-expensive-looking switchgear in its A-class and CLA-class models, but you do get a configurable digital gauge cluster and a separate screen for the infotainment system. Please don't get us started on the brand's new voice-activated personal assistant. Hey, Mercedes, can you just leave us alone for a minute?

Every new car that comes to us has with it our hope that it'll be great. But, we know that not every kid in the class can be the best. While the CLA35 doesn't achieve greatness, it has enough power and handles well enough to distract and encourage us when the road turns interesting, winter tires notwithstanding. In those moments, the CLA35 fosters real joy, which is a good place to start. Part of the CLA35's problem is that it's caught in the middle of the CLA lineup, and we can think of a lot of more interesting cars at our CLA's $66,340 as-tested price. That kind of money buys an Audi RS3, a BMW M2 or an M340i, or even the $55,795 CLA45. Keep the options to a minimum, and the more powerful and sillier CLA45 could be the model that changes the CLA's luck.

Specifications

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA35

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED
$66,340 (base price: $47,895)

ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
122 in3, 1991 cm3
Power
302 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
295 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.4 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 72.2 in
Height: 55.3 in
Passenger volume: 89 ft3
Trunk volume: 12 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 3626 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.6 sec
100 mph: 10.1 sec
¼-mile: 13.0 sec
Top speed: 155 mph

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 25/23/29 mpg