Second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake

The CLA Shooting Brake is made for those who believe the boot space of the normal CLA wasn't big enough for their camping gear to carry and with the advent of the second-generation model, this new CLA Shooting Brake is going to be as spacious as today's A-Class hatchback for all the mixed reasons.

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake

The Shooting Brake variant returns on the second-generation CLA-Class from Mercedes-Benz and with prices start at around 32,313.30 Euros plus OTR, it's still cheaper to own than any Mercedes estate wagons bigger than this, although most Europeans began shying away from estates in favor for crossovers. Anyway, the new CLA Shooting Brake promises to be the most spacious in its class and with more space to fill than the previous Shooting Brake, you can store lots of things as possible depending on what fits in your schedule.

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA35 Shooting Brake

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake

Like its four-door equivalent, the new CLA Shooting Brake handles well, cruises well, more refined, more quiet, and more subtle compared to the previous model. It also offers the same choice of engines as its four-door equivalent such as the M282 four-cylinder petrol engine with cylinder shutoff, M260 petrol engine with variable valve timing system, Euro 6d-certified OM 654q diesel engine, and the entry-level OM 608 diesel engine, the one to avoid for diesel-sceptic Europeans.

Of course, for those who want more muscle, there are AMG versions offered on the Shooting Brake such as the AMG 35 4MATIC with the 306PS 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, capable of going 0-100kph in less than five seconds and top speed limited to 250kph, and the ultimate CLA45 with the brand new M139 2.0L Twin-Scroll Turbo 4-cylinder engine which, in the range topping S variants, produces 421PS of power and 500Nm of torque and when mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G, it goes from 0-100kph in less than four seconds and a top speed of 270kph.

The CLA Shooting Brake is the most affordable Mercedes estate offered and with the second-generation, there's a lot of unanswered questions about the second addition to the latest CLA but it's best to leave it for now.

Photo: Daimler AG

Mercedes-AMG A45 (177) and CLA45 (118)

Mercedes-AMG perfected the hot hatch game with their previous A45 hot hatch years ago with its 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that made it the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the world. Now, as the new generation A-Class flourished, the A45 made a grand comeback to level up the hot hatch ante. Happily though, the ultimate hot hatch's not alone though as it's joined by the junior four-door coupe in the AMG 45 range, the CLA45. These two are ready to impress the world once again with its more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and addicting dynamics that will make them fall in love.

2020 Mercedes-AMG A45

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45

The Mercedes-AMG A45, starting at 56,228 Euros plus OTR, and the CLA45, starting at 60,095 Euros plus OTR, are back for their latest generation, promising to be the most enjoyable high-performance compacts drivers will fall in love with if they are fully prepare to pay a hefty price for such enjoyment these two will deliver.

On the design department, the signature AMG grille donned in range-toppers really put a massive grin on their faces as well as other exterior improvements in store for them and and although hideous to look at, these AMG models surely know business and pleasure even on the inside, where the sports seats really mean business to the drivers.

As full-blown AMG models, the A45 and CLA 45 are armed with the brand new M139 2.0L Twin-Scroll Turbo 4-cylinder engine which, in the range topping S variants, produces 421PS of power and 500Nm of torque and when mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G, it goes from 0-100kph in less than four seconds and a top speed of 270kph. This is the most powerful 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the world and you should credit Mercedes-AMG for all the hard work pouring into this powerhouse, although unhappy with the muted noise drivers noticed when they get their foot down.

Yes, the muted noise is a bit of a letdown to many but on the dynamics side, this is where the new A45 and CLA45 truly shine the most because they both come with the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with AMG Torque Control in the new rear axle differential, which makes them livelier to drive than the previous models. Couple that with the Drift Mode setting and the result is a mind-blowing experience that will make them fall in love with either of these two. In fact, every gearhead in the world's getting jealous over the new A45/CLA45's greatness. When taken on the track, these models really are the class reps, and on the road, with most of their comfortable settings in place, they are an absolute standout from the crowd.

This is by no means one of the best high-performance compacts the folks from Mercedes-AMG ever made and despite its silent treatment which bothers most drivers while letting the hammer down, the dynamics the A45/CLA45 possess are relatively superior, even in the most enjoyable settings yet. With performance like this, perhaps this is the main reason why we can't have the nicest things. In fact, we're getting jealous to have one of those one day. Come on, world. We're ready.

Photo: Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan vs. 2nd Gen. CLA

The advent of the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the ideal opportunity for them to spawn its first-ever sedan variant but hold on a minute, didn't they have their four-door equivalent, the CLA-Class? Yes, the CLA-Class, now on its second generation, is classified as a four-door coupe, a niche made by themselves, but in reality, it's basically a four-door saloon full stop. So, with the first-ever A-Class sedan and the second-generation CLA in the fray, they're like the left and right Twix bars, so what's the difference?

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

For starters, the A-Class Sedan, priced at 28,727 Euros plus tax and delivery, and the second-generation CLA-Class, priced at 31,476 Euros plus tax and delivery, are really like the left Twix and the right Twix because while they have the same sweet taste, the two sides are different by their opinions and that concerns customers who are itching to buy a Mercedes-Benz sedan but not having enough budget to buy a C-Class.

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Of course, the pricing between them set them apart because the first-ever A-Class Sedan is basically cheaper to own than the CLA but by probing the style department, that is a different story because the new CLA is almost better looking than the A-Class Sedan because of its front face and sloping roofline but the backstory is rather the opposite of course because while the new CLA's rear design spoils the already good looks, the A-Class Sedan's rear is rather conservative indeed and you'll spend minutes staring at its back because that really is a Mercedes with a bold statement for the city slickers.

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan interior

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class interior

On the inside job, the A-Class Sedan and the new CLA are in a stalemate because while their dashboards look different, their gadgets still work like it was meant to be and creature comforts are almost identical because of its almost identical legroom, which is nice indeed for businesspeople who had a "vice" on their title to get accommodated with, and the almost identical boot space big enough for a golf cart on a trip to a country club at Quezon. They even come with the rather brilliant but annoying MBUX multimedia system with voice commands that works well with drivers living in an era where they can talk to the likes of Alexa and Siri but if you were a passenger sitting on the sweet spot, you may find that you might get annoyed upon hearing Mom and Dad toying around with the "Hey, Mercedes" thingamajig and that will drive you a bit mad.

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Back at the Twix story, it seems that the Mercedes equivalents of the left Twix and the right Twix are offered with a choice of a M282 four-cylinder petrol engine with cylinder shutoff, M260 petrol engine with variable valve timing system, Euro 6d-certified OM 654q diesel engine, and the entry-level OM 608 diesel engine, the one to avoid for diesel-sceptic Europeans.

2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 Sedan

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA35

Of course, if they want performance, there are AMG 35 4MATIC versions as well, both are powered by a 306PS 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, capable of going 0-100kph in less than five seconds and top speed limited to 250kph. Although no torque vectoring in sight, they're still decent to enjoy driving them but anyway no time for that, let's get back to their normal versions and although different at looks, their dynamics are fairly similar. They handle well, they cruise well, they're both refined, quiet, subtle, and overall, both the new A-Class Sedan and the second-generation CLA are nothing short in comparison, as are the list of highly-advanced safety systems worth noticing.

Like the left and the right Twix, the A-Class Sedan and the new CLA-Class are worth trying and deciding for themselves. Of course, the A-Class Sedan is cheaper to own than the new CLA-Class but the pricing can be a bit more complicating than that because while they look different in every single way, they both accommodate occupants rather well, they both drive well, and they're both technologically advanced but annoying to some at their sweet spot. As the saying goes, try both and you decide.

Photo: Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake

For those who couldn't afford a more luxurious estate in the form of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Shooting Brake, there's a cut-price alternative to that and it's in the form of the CLA-Class, one of the most affordable Mercedes-Benz cars to start with.

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake

Here it is. It's called the CLA-Class Shooting Brake and while this is basically an estate version of the CLA-Class saloon, you can't really tell apart from its looks, performance, and the added practicality of most sport tourers in Europe get. With prices start from 29,810 to 45,660 Euros, you can really afford one for less than twice the price of CLS-Class Shooting Brake. No wait, you can buy two of these for the price of one CLS Shooting Brake. Quite a bargain, right?

But this is still a CLA-Class, meaning that it's still a front-wheel drive car (with an optional 4MATIC) and while it's not as aggressively sporty as other saloons from Mercedes-Benz, it remains one of the most civilized cars to drive. You can drive one on the city streets and on the open roads as well and thanks to its 595 litres of load capacity, there's still more room to fit most of your tailgating snacks on your next soccer match. How's that for practicality?

Like the sedan version, the Shooting Brake has a wide range of petrol and diesel engines available, with the most powerful variant in this model comes with the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine generating 211PS of power and 350Nm of torque, while mated with a 7G-DCT. It does 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and top speed limited to 240kph.

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG Shooting Brake

If you're in the mood something hotter than your neighbor's station wagon, there's a Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake. Heavily inspired from its cousins, it comes with a 2.0L turbo engine generating 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque. When mated with a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT, it does 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph. Yes, your suburban neighbors will get shocked when you have a sport tourer with that much power on your next grocery trip.

Anyway, back to the normal Shooting Brake, it's surprisingly comes with the cutting-edge gadgetry which some find it useful on their driving trips. There's COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS with autonomous braking to prevent rear-end collisions, ATTENTION ASSIST, which detects drowsiness, Mercedes connect me, and so much more.

While the new CLA Shooting Brake priced more than its saloon equivalent, it's surprisingly twice the price less than the bigger CLS Shooting Brake so it's definitely a head start if you're in a mood for a luxury car for reasonable prices. If you got one of these, safe to say that you can enjoy the city life as recommended by someone you knew personally or online.

Photo: Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

If you see an AMG-powered 4-door saloon, your reactions would always be sweating for excitement because of its adrenaline-fueled performance that tickles your fancy. However, most AMG saloons can be somewhat expensive. The current C63 AMG saloon costs about 72,233 Euros and if you have 60 grand, then you can't have it because you don't have that kind of dough.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

So, that car in question is an AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's smallest saloon car that everyone can buy, the CLA-Class. At first glance, you might think that the CLA-Class is essentially a 4-door version of the current A-Class and that's true. It is. For the new CLA45 AMG, think of it as an A45 AMG with a trunk on the back. You still get a load of stuff as seen on the A45 AMG in a 4-door coupe look that you can't resist the temptation of the devil.

Speaking of the devil, the CLA45 AMG costs 56,079 Euros, that's over 16 grand less than the C63 AMG sedan but six and a half grand more than its 5-door equivalent, the A45 AMG. So, it's a modest price to pay for the CLA45 AMG but is it still worthy of being a junior AMG-powered sport saloon?

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

Well, for starters, yes. Barely... The CLA45 AMG is still as quirky as little girl's outfit which you didn't notice that it was reversible and turned into a goat costume, suitable enough to fool a chupacabra. What's exactly is a chupacabra anyway? I don't even read mythologies about this creature from New Mexico that sucks goats, which is what the aswang do to the internal parts of the human body. Hmmm... As I point out, a chupacabra can root, sniff, has long neck, and a desert dweller but don't get me wrong. This isn't fun and games, this is science. Science abuse. And as for the CLA45, it can root through the corners, sniff fear from its rivals, hurts anyone with a long neck, and loves to dwell not just in the desert but almost anywhere thanks to its 4MATIC all wheel drive. Yep, it can act like el chupacabra but it still has faith in science.

Faith in science is like...um...like surviving the hammer blow on the front, lying down on the bed of nails, and walk through fires. If some of your friends think this car's too uncomfortable for a small car like this, think of this as a faith in science. Even though the AMG sports suspension is well tailored for the open roads and on track days, your faith in science is tested when you're driving on city roads. Yeah, driving this one on the city roads really feels like you've been lying down on a bed of nails for too long and this isn't well civilized to be an everyday driver's car.

The newly developed 2.0L turbo engine as applied on the A45 AMG, mated with SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, produces about 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque. When you keep your foot down, it's still faith in science but it's a totally different faith in science especially when you're opted for an available Performance Exhaust. 0-60mph takes about 4.5 seconds and top speed is normally limited to 155mph. Not bad though, not bad for a small sedan with the heart of a Rodong something-something.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

It's been quite a while since AMG came up with an excuse for those who can't afford a C63 AMG but want something more than the A45 AMG, which is the most affordable AMG in the range. The CLA45 was to be like that but it's only made to be as ballistic as a North Korean missiles made for armageddon. Sadly though, even though it's an all-rounder, the fun doesn't last for too long and because of its 4WD, it's too much grip and overall, it feels as mild as...watching a movie titled Magnifico. I'm not quite pleased about this chemistry and if it was made to be a junior CLS63 AMG, it's really not that bad. Well, because this isn't the kind of AMG you'd expect on the grocery parking lot, it isn't quite noticeable in the real world. For cheap thrills, why not consider a Volvo S60 for a change?

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The Mercedes-Benz range has a lot of saloons to choose from and the S-Class is the pinnacle of the lineup. Let's put it this way, if you can't afford an S-Class, buy a CLS-Class. If you can't afford a CLS, buy an E-Class. And if you can't afford an E-Class, buy a C-Class. Simple as that but there is a problem. What if you want a Mercedes-Benz saloon car but can't afford on a C-Class? Of course, you're not going to prompt for an A-Class because it's a hatchback and it's a different story. That's simply a gap that's never been filled until now...

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Now, here's a rule-breaker in the range. It's called the CLA-Class and it's a brand new model from Mercedes-Benz for those who can't afford a C-Clas and it's very crucial for those kind of people because prices start at, you guessed it, 28,977 Euros, which makes it the most affordable four-door saloon car Mercedes-Benz has ever made. So, well done Mercedes-Benz, but actually...nope.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class interior

You see, this is a class of its own for this car. This ushered a revolution where luxury car brands decided to make entry-level models that are appropriate to younger buyers. One such irrelevant example was Aston Martin. Sure, they made lots of luxury grand tourers such as the DB9 and the Vanquish but they changed course by developing the Cygnet, which is a compact car based on the Toyota iQ. Audi plans to develop a sedan version of the A3 to counter this kind of bellicose rhetoric done by Mercedes-Benz. However, the CLA-Class maybe a "bellicose rhetoric" for some econmic reasons but this urban egoist sure knows how to grow up just like the C-Class, the E-Class, the CLS, and the S-Class saloons.

First of all, the CLA carved its inspiration from the Concept Style Coupé concept at 2012 Paris Auto Show. As you can see, despite its entry-level capability, it's still very sexy to look at. It's like a 5-year-old girl who has the seduction of a 25-year-old supermodel. Well, that doesn't sound right because it's a bit racy if I'm honest. What I mean is, despite the compact look, it looks rather stylish indeed. Plus, it's aerodynamic as well because the CLA is the most aerodynamic car ever sold with the drag coefficient of 0.23.

As for the choice of engines, let's take a look. It had a 1.6L petrol engines with three configurations, a 2.0L turbo engine, and a 2.1L diesel engine as of now. They can be mated with either a 6-speed manual, which is lovely if you want to make things a bit more interesting, or a 7G-DCT for those whose ideas are about to get rhetorical on your way to the party. As I see it, they're working on an AMG version very very soon and this would be a very interesting choice for those who are on some serious bellicose rhetorics. In the meantime, I would go for the one with the 2.0L turbo engine on it, which produces 211PS of power. Not bad for a car who begs for high performance, though...

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The CLA-Class may not quite having the talents of other saloons from Mercedes-Benz but in anycase, it's a well-civilized saloon car that is usable on the city streets and on the open roads as well. It feels like you're spending the whole day listening to the house music served from King Street Sounds and when you're on your way to Aruba Bar & Restaurant before you reach the night, it's just as what you can say "absolutely fabulous" indeed. What I love about this car though that driving the CLA is like having the same moment as taking a break at a nightclub somewhere at Ortigas and listen to house music.

As a car made for everyday use, it kinda feels like weekend's over. If you're driving this car to work, most people will notice that you're driving a car suitable for nightclub visits and other stuff. It's not kinda right if you're an ordinary office employee who spends most of his time typing at the computer or making phone calls. Despite that, the CLA is just one way of telling your friends that you had a Mercedes-Benz. It's like showing off a Hermes bag or a Prada bag to anyone just for brags. It maybe an entry-level car but this is a sure fire thing that you owned a luxury car for a reasonable price. Who can't blame them? Now if you don't mind, I'm off for some nightclub chow downs...Ciao!

Photo: Mercedes-Benz