Mercedes CLA: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mercedes CLA version to choose depends on whether you prioritize low fuel consumption, acceleration, drivetrain, or the transition to electric power. Among the listed cars, the second-generation restyling offers the broadest mix: the CLA200d 2.0 DCT records 4.4 l/100 km, the CLA250e records 1 l/100 km, and the CLA250 2.0 DCT reaches 100 km/h in as little as 6.1 seconds.
The Mercedes CLA version to choose depends on whether you prioritize low fuel consumption, acceleration, drivetrain, or the transition to electric power. Among the listed cars, the second-generation restyling offers the broadest mix: the CLA200d 2.0 DCT records 4.4 l/100 km, the CLA250e records 1 l/100 km, and the CLA250 2.0 DCT reaches 100 km/h in as little as 6.1 seconds. The third generation changes the formula with RWD gasoline and electric versions: the 354 hp CLA350 4Matic AT is the quickest measured CLA here at 4.9 seconds, while the 272 hp CLA250Plus AT combines RWD with a 2-speed Automatic gearbox. Buyers wanting an earlier car can choose between the first-generation Estate 5-door and the facelifted Sedan, with Manual or Robotic transmissions and FWD or AWD.
Mercedes CLA generations and the changes that matter
The first generation ran from 2013 to 2016 as an Estate 5-door, with 36 modifications in the complete range. Its listed versions span 109–218 hp, and all use turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder engines. Gasoline choices have 1595 or 1991 cm³, while diesels have 1461 or 2143 cm³. Both 6-speed Manual and 7-speed Robotic gearboxes appear, as do FWD and AWD. This is the generation to examine if the Estate 5-door body or the broadest selection of conventional transmissions matters most.
The first-generation restyling ran from 2016 to 2019 as a Sedan, with 37 modifications in the complete range. The listed cars retain turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder engines, Manual and Robotic gearboxes, and FWD or AWD. Measured ground clearance is 140 mm across the listed facelift versions. Compared with the Estate 5-door CLA200 1.6 DCT, the facelifted 150 hp CLA200 1.6 DCT is 30 kg lighter, accelerates 0.8 seconds sooner and uses the same 5.6 l/100 km combined.
The second-generation Sedan ran from 2019 to 2024 and contains 31 modifications in the complete range. The listed engines use 1332, 1461, 1950 or 1991 cm³, with outputs from 116 to 190 hp. Depending on the version, the gearbox is a 6-speed Manual, 7-speed Robotic or 8-speed Robotic unit; both FWD and AWD are represented. Its fuel tank falls to 43 litres from the earlier cars’ 50 litres.
The second-generation restyling began in 2023 as a Sedan and contains 14 modifications in the complete range. It adds the plug-in CLA250e alongside Gasoline and Diesel choices. Every listed facelift car has 140 mm of clearance and wheel sizes of 205/60 R16 or 205/55 R17. The CLA250 2.0 DCT provides the strongest listed conventional gasoline specification at 224 hp and 350 Nm, while the CLA250e develops 218 hp and 450 Nm.
The third-generation Sedan began in 2025 and contains 8 modifications. It introduces Electro versions, RWD and 2-speed Automatic gearboxes while retaining 1499 cm³ turbocharged Gasoline alternatives with 8-speed Automatic transmissions. The measured range stretches from the 136 hp CLA180 AT to the 354 hp CLA350 4Matic AT. Fuel consumption is not measured for the electric cars, and dimensions are not supplied for any generation.
Mercedes CLA engine options and specs
Repeated names below are distinguished by power or drive where the database contains materially different specifications. Every version name itself remains unchanged.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation — CLA 180 1.3 MT | 136 hp | 200 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA200 1.3 MT | 163 hp | 250 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA220 2.0 DCT | 190 hp | 300 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA220 2.0 DCT | 190 hp | 300 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second generation — CLA180d 1.5 DCT | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA200d 2.0 MT | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA200d 2.0 DCT | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second generation — CLA220d 1.5 DCT | 190 hp | 400 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second generation — CLA220d 2.0 DCT | 190 hp | 400 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA200 1.3 DCT | 163 hp | 250 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second generation — CLA200d 2.0 DCT | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second generation — CLA200 1.3 DCT | 150 hp | 250 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA200 1.6 DCT | 150 hp | 250 Nm | 1595 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA250 2.0 DCT | 211 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA200 1.6 MT | 156 hp | 250 Nm | 1595 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA220 2.0 DCT | 184 hp | 300 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA250 2.0 MT | 211 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA250 2.0 MT | 218 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA250 2.0 DCT | 218 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA180d 1.5 MT | 109 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA180d 1.5 DCT | 109 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA200d 2.1 MT | 136 hp | 300 Nm | 2143 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA200d 2.1 DCT | 136 hp | 300 Nm | 2143 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — CLA200d 2.1 DCT | 136 hp | 300 Nm | 2143 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| First generation — CLA200 1.6 DCT | 156 hp | 250 Nm | 1595 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First generation — CLA200 2.0 DCT | 211 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| First generation — CLA180 1.6 MT | 122 hp | 200 Nm | 1595 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation — CLA180 1.6 DCT | 122 hp | 200 Nm | 1595 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First generation — CLA200 1.6 MT | 156 hp | 250 Nm | 1595 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation — CLA200 2.0 DCT | 211 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First generation — CLA200 2.0 MT | 211 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation — CLA200 2.0 DCT | 218 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| First generation — CLA180CDI 1.5 MT | 109 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation — CLA180CDI 1.5 DCT | 109 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| First generation — CLA180CDI 2.1 MT | 136 hp | 300 Nm | 2143 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation — CLA180CDI 2.1 DCT | 136 hp | 300 Nm | 2143 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA200 1.3 DCT | 163 hp | 250 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA220 2.0 DCT | 190 hp | 300 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA250 2.0 DCT | 224 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA180d 1.5 DCT | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA220d 2.0 DCT | 190 hp | 400 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA200d 2.0 DCT | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1950 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA180 1.3 DCT | 136 hp | 200 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA250e | 218 hp | 450 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Plug-in | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA180 1.3 DCT | 136 hp | 200 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA200 DCT 1.3 | 163 hp | 250 Nm | 1332 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA250 2.0 DCT | 224 hp | 350 Nm | 1991 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — CLA180d 1.5 DCT | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third generation — CLA250Plus AT | 272 hp | 335 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation — CLA350 4Matic AT | 354 hp | 515 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third generation — CLA200 AT | 224 hp | 335 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation — CLA180 AT | 136 hp | 200 Nm | 1499 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation — CLA200 AT | 163 hp | 250 Nm | 1499 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation — CLA200 AT | 163 hp | 250 Nm | 1499 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third generation — CLA250Plus AT | 272 hp | 335 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation — CLA350 4Matic AT | 354 hp | 515 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | AWD |
Mercedes CLA performance and economy
For outright acceleration, choose the third-generation CLA350 4Matic AT: its measured 0–100 km/h time is 4.9 seconds, 1.2 seconds quicker than the fastest listed second-generation-restyling CLA250 2.0 DCT at 6.1 seconds. Both have AWD, but their powertrains differ: 354 hp Electro versus 224 hp Gasoline. Both measured electric versions have a 210 km/h top speed, whereas the 224 hp CLA250 2.0 DCT reaches 250 km/h.
Among conventional gasoline cars, the second-generation-restyling 224 hp CLA250 2.0 DCT is the strongest choice. One listed specification reaches 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and records 6.8 l/100 km combined; another reaches it in 6.3 seconds and records 6.7 l/100 km. The earlier 218 hp CLA250 2.0 DCT takes 6.4 seconds and consumes 6.8 l/100 km, so the newer 224 hp version gains 6 hp and up to 0.3 seconds without increasing the stated combined figure.
The diesel economy choice is the second-generation CLA200d 2.0 DCT with 150 hp, FWD and an 8-speed Robotic gearbox. It records 4.4 l/100 km combined, reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and has a 226 km/h maximum. The 190 hp CLA220d 2.0 DCT uses 4.9 l/100 km, but supplies 40 hp and 80 Nm more, reduces the sprint by 1.2 seconds and raises maximum speed by 18 km/h.
The second-generation-restyling CLA250e has the lowest stated liquid-fuel consumption at 1 l/100 km combined and CO₂ emissions of 31 g/km. It supplies 218 hp and 450 Nm, accelerates in 6.8 seconds and reaches 240 km/h. City and highway consumption are not measured, so its 1 l/100 km figure should not be treated as separate urban or highway data.
For the third-generation electric CLA250Plus AT and CLA350 4Matic AT, fuel consumption is not measured. Their CO₂ figure is 0 g/km. Acceleration and top speed are also not measured for the duplicate database entries, while the measured entries record 6.7 seconds and 210 km/h for CLA250Plus AT and 4.9 seconds and 210 km/h for CLA350 4Matic AT.
Mercedes CLA dimensions, weight and practical specifications
Exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed CLA, so no supported length, width, height or wheelbase comparison is possible.
The first-generation-restyling cars have 140 mm of ground clearance, 50-litre tanks and kerb weights from 1395 kg for CLA200 1.6 MT to 1585 kg for the AWD CLA200d 2.1 DCT. Wheel sizes are not measured. At equal 211 hp, the FWD CLA250 2.0 MT weighs 1445 kg, 90 kg less than the AWD CLA250 2.0 DCT at 1535 kg.
The second-generation cars have 43-litre tanks. Ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured. Listed kerb weights extend from 1395 kg for CLA 180 1.3 MT to 1615 kg for the AWD CLA200d 2.0 DCT and CLA220d 1.5 DCT. The FWD CLA220 2.0 DCT weighs 1490 kg, while the identically powered AWD version weighs 1545 kg: AWD adds 55 kg, lowers maximum speed by 4 km/h and raises combined consumption by 0.4 l/100 km, with the same 7-second acceleration figure.
Every listed second-generation-restyling car has 140 mm clearance and 205/60 R16 or 205/55 R17 wheel sizes. Tank capacity is 43 litres except for the CLA250e, which has 35 litres. Kerb weight runs from 1425 kg for one CLA180 1.3 DCT to 1725 kg for CLA250e. The CLA250e is 175 kg heavier than the 1550 kg CLA250 2.0 DCT despite producing 6 hp less, but it delivers 100 Nm more.
In the third generation, the gasoline CLA180 AT weighs 1695 kg and the gasoline CLA200 AT weighs 1705 kg. The electric 224 hp CLA200 AT weighs 2045 kg, giving it about 9.1 kg per hp. The 163 hp gasoline CLA200 AT has about 10.5 kg per hp. Gross weights are 2500 kg and 2135 kg respectively. Ground clearance, wheel sizes and exterior dimensions are not measured; electric-car tank capacity is not measured.
Which Mercedes CLA version should you buy?
Choose the second-generation-restyling CLA200d 2.0 DCT if measured fuel economy is the priority without accepting the slowest performance. Its 150 hp, 320 Nm, 4.4 l/100 km combined figure and 8.3-second acceleration form the strongest conventional-economy balance in the listed data.
Choose the CLA220d 2.0 DCT when diesel performance matters more. Relative to that CLA200d 2.0 DCT, it adds 40 hp and 80 Nm for an extra 0.5 l/100 km combined, while cutting 0–100 km/h from 8.3 to 7.1 seconds.
Choose the second-generation-restyling CLA250 2.0 DCT for the quickest measured non-electric CLA. Its best listed specification combines 224 hp, 350 Nm, AWD and a 6.1-second sprint. Its roughly 7.0 kg-per-hp kerb-weight ratio is better than the approximately 7.1 kg per hp of the earlier 218 hp CLA250 2.0 DCT.
Choose the CLA250e if its stated 1 l/100 km combined consumption and 450 Nm outweigh its 1725 kg kerb weight, 35-litre tank and FWD layout. It has 100 Nm more than the CLA250 2.0 DCT but is 0.5–0.7 seconds slower to 100 km/h, depending on which listed CLA250 specification is compared.
Choose the third-generation CLA350 4Matic AT for maximum measured acceleration and output: 354 hp, 515 Nm, AWD and 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h. Choose CLA250Plus AT if 272 hp and RWD are sufficient; its measured 6.7-second sprint is 1.8 seconds slower. Energy consumption, kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for either version.
Finally, choose an earlier CLA for a particular configuration rather than for maximum output. The first-generation Estate 5-door is the only listed Estate body, while the facelifted first-generation Sedan retains the 50-litre tank, 140 mm clearance and a choice of Manual or Robotic transmissions. Pricing, sale availability, reliability, engine-oil capacity and engine-light diagnostics are not measured in the supplied data, so none can support a buying recommendation here.