Used 2019 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG CLA

The 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 is the wonderfully hot version of the CLA small sedan. And gateway to the adrenaline-filled world of AMG, the operation that was once an independent tuner and now is part of the company. Because it’s the entry-level AMG car, it doesn’t have a V6 or a V8, but still sports a superb 375 horsepower. Traction from the standard all-wheel-drive system contributes to a chuckle-making standstill-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds. Sure, it’s not that roomy, especially in the rear seats, and some plastics in the cabin are cheaper than we’d like, but for true AMG performance at a slightly lower price than the 400-horsepower Audi RS 3, the CLA45 works extremely well. The regular CLA250 sedan is reviewed separately.

Developing 375 horsepower from a 2.0-liter engine is quite a feat, even when turbocharging is involved. But it doesn’t feel stressed, still delivering its considerable muscle even when the revs are high. Maximum thrust, meanwhile, kicks in at 2,250 rpm, to provide a satisfying low-end push. The rest of the car can take the heat. The suspension has also been developed by AMG for precision and control, making the ride quality appreciably firmer than the regular CLA, but coming into its own when approaching a corner, clipping the apex and accelerating out of it. At the other end of this performance envelope, the brakes have also been upgraded by AMG for confident and decisive stopping power. These degrees of power and poise are perfectly suited to each other.

As mentioned earlier, no member of the 2019 CLA-Class could be described as roomy. And since the CLA is among the lowest-priced offerings from Mercedes-Benz, there are some plastics, particularly in the lower sections of the dashboard, that don’t answer to the description of “premium.” But there are no quibbles with build quality or interior design. The Mercedes-AMG CLA45 has dedicated sport seats up front that hold their occupants comfortably in place, whether going in a straight line or resisting lateral forces during quick cornering. And the steering wheel is covered partly in leather, partly in suede-like Alcantara material often found in real race cars.

Mercedes-Benz likes to call the CLA-Class a coupe, mainly because it has a sloping roofline that impacts on rear-passenger headroom. But it’s a small sedan with the requisite four doors. Yet arguably a pleasant-looking small sedan. The AMG treatment extends to special-design alloy wheels, larger front air intakes, rocker-panel extensions, and a subtle carbon-fiber spoiler (optional) on the trunk lid. It doesn’t look glaringly different from the regular CLA, just a touch more purposeful.

PANORAMA ROOF
Panoramic roofs let in light, but add mass. In the CLA45, there’s a case for living with the slight weight increase since it won’t affect performance to any great measure, but makes the small cabin feel a little more open and even brings a fraction more headroom.

CLA45 ENGINE
Look around for another 4-cylinder engine making 375 horsepower in a production car. We’ll save you the trouble, there isn’t one. The way AMG’s engineers managed to extract so much muscle from such modest displacement and yet still keep it so sweet is remarkable.

The special engine, transmission, chassis, all-wheel drive, brakes, wheels, aerodynamic additions, sport exhaust system, sport front seats (14-way power-adjustable with memory settings), and cosmetic touches in the cabin are all standard, differentiating the 2019 CLA45 from its “muggle” sibling. Add the equipment mentioned in the “What’s New” section, then factor in a hands-free power-trunk lid operation, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, selectable driving modes, 8-inch infotainment display, forward-collision mitigation with emergency braking, driver-fatigue monitoring, and LED headlights/taillights.

The true enthusiast should consider the Dynamic Plus package for a firmer sport suspension with 2-stage electronic adjustment, limited-slip front differential, higher top speed (from 155 to 167 mph), and a Race mode drive setting (for really exploring the car’s potential — at a well-supervised track session, of course). The Driver Assistance package featuring adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance might also be worth opting for. Other extras include a panorama roof, carbon-fiber side-mirror caps, illuminated grille badge, leather upholstery, red seatbelts, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Harman Kardon surround-sound system, active parking assistance, sportier exhaust system, and the all-important red-painted brake calipers.

We’ve already waxed lyrically enough about this hand-built engine (it’s an AMG hallmark; the technician responsible even fits a signed plaque) that you’ve probably memorized the statistics by now. It’s worth noting, though, that its consumption of fuel (premium gasoline, admittedly and unsurprisingly) is quite reasonable: 30 mpg on the highway. Some credit should go to the aerodynamically efficient overall shape (0.23) and the relatively light weight (3,450 pounds) of this small car. This latter fact also brings benefits to the acceleration and handling. The AMG-tuned 7-speed automatic transmission has steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to enable greater driver involvement. Or just put the car in D and select Sport mode, then concentrate on the steering.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (CLA45 AMG 4Matic)
375 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg