Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake review

Category: Estate car

Section: Costs & verdict

Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD infotainment
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD front tracking
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD rear tracking
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD dashboard
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD rear seats
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD infotainment
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD wide right tracking
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD wide right panning
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD steering wheel detail
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD front seats
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD boot open
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD front tracking
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD rear tracking
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD dashboard
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD rear seats
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD infotainment
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD wide right tracking
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD wide right panning
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD steering wheel detail
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD front seats
  • Mercedes CLA 2020 RHD boot open
What Car?’s CLA-Class deals
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Target Price from £36,220
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Costs & verdict

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

Unlike the Mercedes A-Class, the CLA range doesn’t offer an entry-level Sport trim; this lifts its starting price considerably, and the Shooting Brake adds a further premium to its Coupe stablemate. AMG Line trim gives you plenty of kit, but you might want to jump up to AMG Line Premium; it brings the bigger instrument display, keyless entry and an upgraded stereo. We’d avoid the Premium Plus package due to its head room-eating panoramic sunroof.

The CLA’s official CO2 emissions figures may not be spectacularly low, but they are competitive, especially for the 220d diesel; this engine is RDE2 compliant, which means there’s no 4% diesel surcharge on BIK (Benefit in Kind) company car tax.

Overview

Although on paper the CLA Shooting Brake has a pretty big boot, a high load lip and narrow aperture hurt its practicality. But although we could point out a Superb Estate is far bigger for the money, the CLA’s attractive interior, strong engines and decent driving experience hold plenty of appeal.

  • Flash interior
  • Strong on safety
  • Lots of kit and power for your money
  • Tight rear head room
  • Small boot aperture
  • Not as fun as the best coupés
New car deals
Target Price from £36,220
or from £395pm
Swipe to see used and leasing deals