Used Mercedes CLA 2013-2019 review

The normal three-box shape applied to most executive cars has been eroded over the years by cars like this 2013 Mercedes CLA. Such models adopted a coupé-like silhouette with a swooping roofline to add a bit of glamour to the class.

While the second-generation CLA has now taken its place in the showroom, the original makes a popular pre-owned choice, taking the winning formula of the bigger CLS and shrining it down onto a more affordable A-Class-sized car. As a used purchase, the CLA can be considered against the likes of the Audi A3 Saloon, the BMW 3 Series, and the Volkswagen CC.

The CLA's engine range consists of three petrol and two diesel units. The entry-level CLA 180 uses a 120bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine that’s a bit flat at low revs. If you regularly carry passengers, the more powerful 208bhp CLA 250 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine is probably better for your needs. Then there's the bonkers Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 with a 355bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine if you'd like to be able to get from 0-62mph in 4.6sec.

On the more sensible side, there are the diesels, both of which use a 2.1-litre engine. The 134bhp CLA 200d diesel is strangely short of low-down torque, but the 168bhp CLA 220d diesel is much better without sacrificing fuel economy. Both are quite noisy under acceleration and only quieten down on the motorway.

The CLA comes with lots of standard equipment. All models get dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a 7.0in-screen infotainment system, Bluetooth, USB and smartphone connectivity, automatic lights and wipers and 18in alloy wheels. On the safety side, there are seven airbags and Attention Assist, a system that monitors driver fatigue and will warn you when it’s time to take a break.

The CLA has plenty of grip and its steering weights up nicely as you turn in to a corner. The AMG Sport model is slightly sharper to drive than the standard Sport model because it comes with firmer sports suspension. However, this has a dramatic effect on the ride, making it rather choppy. The Sport model comes on comfort suspension, which is better, but it still shimmies over poor road surfaces.

Space is at a premium in the CLA due to its lower roofline. The dashboard design also impacts space for knees. At least there’s lots of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel to allow you to get comfortable. In the back, however, you’d need to be a child or of below-average height to be content.

If you're interested in finding a used CLA, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices for the CLA start at around £13,000 for a high-mileage diesel model from 2013/2014. If you increase your budget to between £15,000 and £17,000 you'll have a choice of cars from 2015 and 2016. If you want something a bit newer, a 2017 CLA 220 Sport with roughly 10,000 miles can be found for around £20,000, while £20,000 to £22,000 buys the last 2019 cars. The high-performance Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is pricey – used examples that have a full-service history and reasonable mileage cost around £25,000.

Check the value of a used Mercedes-Benz CLA with What Car? Valuations

The diesels are the cheapest to run in terms of fuel and road tax costs. The CLA 200d is the best, at 64.2mpg under the older NEDC tests and £30 tax, but the more powerful CLA 220d isn’t that far off at 62.8mpg and £30 tax. Upgrades made in 2016 reduced those figures to 67.3mpg and £20 road tax for both the CLA 200d and CLA 220d.

The petrol models aren’t quite so cheap to run because only the entry-level CLA 180 manages 50.4mpg and costs £130 to tax. The CLA 250 drops down to 42.8mpg and up to £195 per year. That might not sound too bad, but when you consider that the much faster CLA 45 is quite close to the CLA 250 on running costs, at 39.8mpg and £195 tax, you start to wonder why the CLA 250 is so thirsty.

If you purchase a CLA that was registered after 1 April 2017, it will cost you £150 per year to tax, regardless of which engine it has. But be warned. Some top-of-the-range CLA 250s and all of the CLA 45s will attract the additional £325 tax that's applied to cars that cost over £40,000 when new and continues to do so until the car reaches six years of age.

Servicing won’t be cheap and Mercedes doesn’t offer fixed price servicing once the car is over three years old. If you want to reduce your costs, head to a respected independent specialist, which will do the same work as a main dealer but for much less money.

The petrol engines in the CLA aren’t the best (except for that in the CLA 45, but that car is hideously expensive to run), so we’d suggest going for one of the diesel versions, particularly the CLA 220d because it has much more low-down torque than CLA 200d.

We’d stick with the standard Sport specification because it comes with all the equipment you’ll need, and it keeps the comfort suspension settings, as opposed to the rock-hard ride of AMG Sport cars.

Our favourite Mercedes-Benz CLA: 220 CDI Sport

The BMW 3 Series may not look quite as special as the CLA, but it’s no dullard. In fact, the 3 Series is one of the most desirable executive cars around, thanks to its great handling, great engines and well-made interior with excellent infotainment.

Another option would be the excellent Audi A3 Saloon, which looks like a shrunken A4 on the outside yet it isn’t that much smaller on the inside. The A3 Saloon's interior is much plusher than the CLA's, and its infotainment system is one of the most intuitive in the class.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in finding a used CLA, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.