Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: The most luxurious sub-compact to own

Updated Apr 13, 2021 | Same topic: Most Updated Car Concept

Why settle for premium Japanese when German luxury is better? Consider the Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 as your personal ride.

More cars are packing their best features, and the Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 sub-compact is no exception. There’s a lot equipped inside this premium compact luxury sedan with Mercedes trademark engineering and everything else.

Don’t forget the adjective which is luxurious and synonymous with Mercedes as one of the front runners in advanced automotive technologies. If you’re curious about what it has to offer, there’s quite a number of tweaks done to it too!

New Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 2020 - is it worth the extra £££ over the A35 hatch or saloon?

1. Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Introduction

Improvements in engine performance aspects that give it a good edge compared to similar options. There’s quite a lot of competition who can squeeze the most out of engines despite the size! Owning the CLA 35 is very convenient with satellite navigation as a standard feature for going about, without getting lost!

New Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 2020 side view

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: A sleek, modern and smart four-door coupe

Superlatives to describe this sub-compact, four-door coupe is sleek, modern, and smart which is enough to get a buyer to sign the dotted line! Emphasizing a fierce and eye-catching design statement with exceptional technology to bring together another model in Mercedes lineup.

2. Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Dynamic design

The CLA 35 comes with more plus points for the lucky owner. Keeping up the style factor with tweaks that gives anyone an eyeful, with design cues which enhances its visual impact. Expect lines that slash horizontally through the grille, chrome trim, and the corner inlets on the front bumper on the left and right side.

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 front view

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 rear view

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 top view

Big wheels seem to be something that is always in vogue with Euro cars. Feast your eyes on the 18-inch low profile wheels, with an optional 19-inch upgrade for a flashier look! Run along to the back is diffuser and round exhaust ports that give the CLA 35 its distinctive aural signature.

3. Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Inside the cockpit

Step inside the car and you’ll have the most modern and sophisticated features crammed into one cockpit. Classic and timeless is the rich and posh two-tone layout that is nice and soft to touch. No cheap plastics used but the best materials for the interior.

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 interior

Luxury leather for the interior

Color combos to choose are black and red or black and digital grey for the cockpit. Center of attraction is the 10.25-inch touchscreens that are interfaces to be used by the driver. Enabling navigation of key car functions and entertainment with improved voice command features.

Voice control gets upgraded by the kit that is powered by Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX). It allows precise voice control for hands-free control of the infotainment system. The MBUX allows drivers to use hands-free control without touching the responsive touchscreens too often.

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 infotainment

Hands-free control infotainment system 

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 seat

This car has everything from performance to an in-car mobile concierge, for handsfree use. A host of technologies that enhance driving in ultra-advanced cars that are premium selections.

Mood lighting is a bit on the unusual side, but the CLA 35 has an option to select LED ambient lighting in 64 colors, to fit the driver’s mood.

>>> Refer to our Mercedes Benz CLA Class for sale to look for your dream coupe.

4. Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Under the hood 

Small but punchy is the engine under the hood which is a match for almost a match to its bigger siblings. Losing a bit of size is not a problem at all, because this car is made to have gargantuan features. Lesser cars don’t have what it offers in terms of torque (Nm) and horsepower (Ps).

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Under the hood 

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 can reach 62 mph in 4.9s

Generating about 302 Ps and 401 Nm of torque, it can reach 62 mph in about 4.9 seconds flat! The AMG is small though the twin exhausts give a satisfying roar for the 2.0-liter engine. The engine is a high torque 2.0-liter Inline-4 turbo engine, that gets a seven-speed gearbox, to match the engine.

5. Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Gearbox and drivetrain 

One would argue that shrinking this four-door coupe is not indicative of how well the gearbox performs. High-performance cars are always equipped with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) to allow crisp and swift shifting for when driving near the knife’s edge.

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: turbo 4matic

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is responsible for keeping maximum grip and control for all tires on the road

A gearbox with seven-speeds that uses a clutchless differential for the quickest shifts that are less than standard AT and MT transmission. It’s important to keep traction and grip for safer and energetic sport driving that allow safe maneuvering with better control.

This car is capable of 250 kph that is the ceiling of its electronic speed limiter. Linked to the rear axle and the rear differential is torque vectoring control to keep the rear wheels on an even keel when on the move.

6. Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Suspension and Control

A small car that is big on driving with confident control that is done by standard Direct-Steer system which adjusts how much the steering wheel is turned. A reduced track between the wheels to have more control when cornering.

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: Steering wheel

Direct-Steer System

Body sway is improved with bigger anti-roll bars as standard equipment for better driving stability. Linked to the rear axle and the rear differential is torque vectoring control to keep the rear wheels on an even keel when on the move.

Overall and improved independent rear suspension gains more grip that means more stability and control. Interested in adaptive dampers that are optional for an improved ride?

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: control

Or select a soft suspension mode or maybe stiffer dampers when roads get a bit too rough. Installed under the CLA 35 is an aluminum shear panel that improves torsion and gives stiffer support in the front. To complete it are two diagonal braces for rigid support, under the engine!

Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020: tail light

There’s a lot going for the Mercedes AMG CLA 35 2020 sub-compact everything that it is full of substance, not just all looks. All the features are premium, and even the insides ooze the best money can buy! It will cost a pretty penny, but it’s worth it.

This car is perfect for the younger set with everything that its bigger sibling has. Make it a point to visit Philkotse because there’s info about the latest cars and more!

>>> Click to keep updated with latest car news worldwide

Know more about Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2024

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a subcompact executive sedan available in the Philippine market. Locally, this model has two variants: the CLA-Class 200 Progressive and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG 35 4Matic.

Under the hood, the Philippine-spec CLA-Class uses a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine that can make up to 208 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 

Size-wise, the CLA-Class has a length of 4,688mm, a width of 1,830mm, and a height of 1,439mm. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,729mm and a ground clearance of 160mm. 

Locally, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class primarily competes against the BMW 3 Series 318i Sport as both of them are executive subcompact sedans. 

>>> New and used Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2024 for sale in the Philippines

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Launch

The second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA Class was introduced by Auto Nation Group in September 2019. Its launch price starts at Php 3.19M with two variants which are the CLA 250 and the CLA 45 AMG 4MATIC.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Exterior

The latest Mercedes-Benz CLA Philippines has an athletic yet luxurious design that caters primarily to the younger market. Up front is a low-slung hood and a diamond grille that carries the German brand’s signature emblem front and center. High-performance LED headlamps and daytime running lamps complement the aggressive-looking front fascia. On each side are minimalist lines that lead to the rear. Narrow tail lights emphasize the span of the CLA. The top-spec variant rides on 18-inch multi-spoke alloys while the base variant comes with 17-inch alloy wheels.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class exterior

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class side end

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class angular rear

Mercedes-Benz CLA Interior

The CLA’s interiors are as elegant and refined as its façade. For starters, the spacious cabin boasts a higher headroom and elbow room compared to its previous generation. The rear compartment has an opening of 262mm, much larger than the older model. Its rear seats can also be folded in a 40:20:40 format to accommodate additional cargo. 

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class interior

All seats of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 2024 are clad in high-grade leather. Its entire cabin is decked with soft-touch finishes and a plethora of premium leather that the brand is known for. The dashboard is clean and sleek, incorporated with new technologies such as a touchscreen infotainment system.

Technology & Safety Features

On the dashboard is a 7-inch digital touchscreen infotainment system that comes with the latest update of the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX). The system has a virtual assistant mode that can be voice-activated by saying “Hey Mercedes.” Voice commands also work for navigation, phone calls, and music. On top of these are the standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity systems. 
 
Mercedes-Benz did not skimp on safety features as well. The CLA is equipped with an active park assist, a rear-view camera, cruise control, an electronic stability program, ABS with acceleration skid control and active brake assist, tire pressure monitoring, and a start-stop system. The top-range variant comes with front and rear parking sensors on top of the standard safety features.

Platform & Chassis

The CLA 250 is a coupe that can seat up to five people while the top-spec AMG variant is a 2-door coupe with a capacity of four individuals. The front suspension remains at Independent MacPherson Strut while the rear is an Independent Multi-link. Stopping power comes from disc brakes all around.

Engine & Drivetrain

Both variants of the Mercedes-Benz CLA Class are powered by a 1.3L 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The CLA 250 sends power to the front wheels through a 7G-DCT Automatic Transmission. It produces 208 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the AMG model’s engine is mated to the same 7G-DCT AT that powers all wheels. It can produce a powerful 375 hp and 475 Nm of torque.

Locally, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2024 is available in ten different colors. These include Cosmos Black, Denim Blue, Digital White, Iridium Silver, Mojave Silver, Mountain Grey, Night Black, Designo Patagonia Red, Polar White, and Sun Yellow. 

Compared to its local competitor, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class lags a bit behind when it comes to making power. For its size though, its power output is more than enough, and it is far more powerful than your run-of-the-mill subcompact sedan. As for features and on-board tech, it is largely on-par against the competition. It also has some driver-assist features which aren’t present on its rival. 

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2024 Price List

Let's check out the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2024 price in the Philippines.

 Variants Price
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 200 Progressive ₱3.99 Million
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG 35 4Matic ₱5.719 Million

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Feature-rich 
  • High-tech 
  • Stylish exterior 

Cons

  • Lags in power when compared to rivals
 

₱ 3,190,000

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Norjan Ismail Abbas

Norjan Ismail Abbas

Author

Norjan enjoys writing about various topics, and car is among them. Don't ever ask him which his most favorite car is since he has none. He believes each car is beautiful in its own way.

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