Mercedes-Benz CLC Hatchback full 9 point review
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Performance
There are just four-cylinder engines on offer: 127-, 141- and 181bhp petrol units (in the CLC 160, 180K and 200K respectively, the latter two supercharged), as well as two diesels, the 120bhp CLC 200 CDI and 148bhp CLC 220 CDI. The 200 CDI is not quick as such, but it's more than adequate, while the two supercharged petrol models offer decent acceleration.
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Ride & Handling
The CLC is a bit of a softie, soaking up most ripples and ruts with ease, although larger bumps can send shudders through the cabin. Don't expect it to handle like a sporty coupe, either. The body feels floaty over undulating roads and leans heavily through corners. What's more, there's a desperate shortage of front-end grip, so you'll feel the front tyres sliding at modest speeds, even in the dry.
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Refinement
Wind noise will never bother you, because the cabin shuts it out almost completely. However, some road noise intrudes over coarse surfaces, and the diesel engines sound far too agricultural for a prestige car. You also have to put up with a gearchange that's as vague as a politician under questioning.
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Buying & Owning
Mercedes has brought the price of entry-level CLCs down below £20,000, but it’s still not a cheap car to buy – there are plenty of better-value three-door hatches out there. Running costs aren’t too bad, however. Both diesel engines return around 50mpg, and even the CLC 200K does nearly 40mpg.
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Quality & Reliability
Cabin quality is another area where you might be disappointed, even though the CLC is at the cheaper end of the Mercedes scale. Most of the interior plastics have a budget feel, and the air-con controls are clunky. Mercedes consistently achieves mid-table obscurity in our reliability surveys, which is disappointing for a prestige brand.
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Safety & Security
Stability control comes as standard to help you remain stable on the road, and six airbags are provided to keep you from harm if you can't. There are also ISOFIX anchorage points to keep child seats wedged firmly in place. However, there are no deadlocks, because Mercedes believes they hinder rescue efforts after a crash.
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Behind The Wheel
You sit in supportive seats with lots of adjustment, but the pedals are heavily offset, meaning cramp can set in on a long journey. Most of the switchgear on the dash is easy to use, although the optional satellite-navigation can be confusing. The biggest problem is visibility; high sides and a miniscule rear window mean you have very little idea about what's going on behind you.
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Space & Practicality
Despite its compact appearance, there's a surprising amount of space in the back of the CLC. Rear headroom is a little tight, but kneeroom is good. Getting in there is easy, too, because the front seat backs tip forward, and then the bases lift up and out of the way. The boot is a decent size and the split rear seats fold almost flat for bigger loads.
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Equipment
The standard SE car comes with plenty of kit, but you'd expect nothing less for the money. You'll get goodies such as parking sensors, part-leather-effect upholstery, alloy wheels and automatic climate control. Sport models have bigger alloy wheels, metallic paint, full synthetic-leather upholstery and an upgraded interior, as well as sports suspension and a speed-sensitive steering system.
Mercedes-Benz CLC Hatchback 220 CDI SE 3dr
The bigger diesel engine might more effectively reveal the chassis’ ability, but this version is still not a thrilling drive. Refinement isn’t what it could be, either.
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