2016 MERCEDES BENZ CLA (C117) 250 4MATIC 7AT AWD (211 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced the facelifted version of the CLA’s first generation at the 2016 New York International Auto show, upgrading the car both on the inside and outside.

The CLA was the smallest sedan in the German carmaker’s stable and the only one fitted with a front-wheel drive system. As unusual as it might sound, it was a bright idea since it won the hearts and wallets of many, who didn’t want to struggle with the length of a C-Class and enjoyed the four-door coupe shape of the car and the fuel efficiency that it provided.

The carmaker changed the vehicle’s front fascia for the facelifted version by offering a standard black grille with a diamond pattern. In addition, customers could have chosen new LED headlights, which provided not only a modern look but also better road illumination. Depending on the version, the carmaker added a lower, AMG-style grille. Mercedes-Benz said that the CLA offered the best drag-coefficient on the market at just Cd=0,23, thanks not only to the vehicle’s shape but also to the car’s frontal area.

One of the most significant changes to the interior was the introduction of an 8″ display for the infotainment unit. Like in the non-facelifted version, it was mounted atop the center stack in a free-floating design style. In addition, inside the instrument cluster, the carmaker changed the dials and introduced standard red needles for better readability.

Underneath the hood, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new, highly fuel efficient, 1.5-liter turbo-diesel powerplant carried over from Renault. Moreover, there were several other engines supplied by the French carmaker, which was better at building small-displacement units than the German automaker.