2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4Matic+ review

AMG’s pumped up 2.0-litre turbo is served up a few ways in Merc’s compact range. Here we sample it in the best looking version, the slick CLA.

It is always a pleasure to drive the compact Mercedes-AMGs, like the manic wee AMG A 45 S 4Matic. And now this one, a close blood relative known as CLA 45 S 4Matic.

It’s the four-door coupe version then, mechanically otherwise the same.

We’re driving this because it has been facelifted recently with new headlights, front apron, radiator grille and diffuser.

Inside, there’s more kit, comprising a panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with memory, keyless go, adaptive cruise with stop and go, and a 360 degree camera.

There’s also metallic paint and a Burmester sound system with subwoofer under the boot floor. A driver assistance package comes gratis too, and it is a simple two-step job to quash lane departure.

Like the A 45 S, it’s powered by the overachieving 310kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot, hooked up to an AMG Speedshift eight-speed DCT. It too goes like the clappers.

Yet with multiple drive modes and adaptive damping it can genuinely be the everyday car for the working week.

But we should just mention the trumpeting elephant in the room. Predictably, it’s the lionine roar of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres over chipseal surfaces. There’s no road roar on hotmix but over freshly laid chipseal the din is intrusive.

It’s not in the Porsche 911 league of loud but it is certainly vocal, with dB recordings into the 78s. That’s something you might not notice taking a test drive in the suburbs where everything is serenity.

So be warned – if you plan on using your AMG CLA 45 out of town a whole lot, you should be taking it there as part of your test drive.

On the upside there’s the surplus power on tap, and the precision of the drive. With the CLA there’s also a visually emotive element to the vehicle which some will love.

However, with the slick shape comes a compact interior. There’s not much in the way of rear seat legroom if front seat passengers stretch out. And headroom in the rear is certainly not ideal for those who breathe rarefied air.

That’s both the result of the sloping lid and also the standard-fit sunroof.

Head around the back, push the tristar badge in at the top and the boot lid opens by itself thanks to spring loading.

It’s not quite enough to raise it entirely when the car is parked on an uphill slope so you sometimes need to give it a hand.

Within is a reasonably decent luggage space quoted at 460L but the opening is somewhat tight, or more accurately not that tall. We only just managed to fit our fold-down golf trundler in the rear, and even then we had to slot it in sideways.

So if you’re someone who deals with big items a whole lot, the CLA won’t be for you. Of course, you can buy much the same package in the AMG A 45 S which has a hatch and better headroom.

Just saying, there are options if you’re dead set on this powertrain.

And we can understand why people might be. It’s a wee beastie. Just two litres is needed to create 310kW. That’s 416hp in old currency. Little wonder it hits the speed limit in just under 4sec, using Race Start.

Even in the default Comfort mode, you can blast past slower vehicles in around 2.5sec. The noise is great too; loud enough that it will teach those slow pokes for not pulling over.

So this really is a fun drive, with multiple sports modes but we kept reverting to Comfort as it goes so well, the ride tending firm but never bony.

The head-up display is compact so doesn’t dominate the screen.

And it is an easy enough car to operate too, once you get used to the silly haptic sliders used to manipulate certain features. Humming along at 105 on cruise control, expect fuel use in the low sevens.

For the first 2200km of this car’s life, it has averaged 9.4L/100km. That’s not bad considering the performance of which this is so capable.

It turns nicely and holds on for grim death when cornering quickly too. But then haven’t they always, the AMG 45s with AWD?

One final caveat emptor aspect. This compact offering certainly isn’t that on price. Back in the day the A 45 kicked off at just over $90k.

Nowadays this CLA 45 S has an asking price of $140,500.

For $127,899 you can buy the A 45 S variant, with its more usable luggage capacity (albeit less of it at 370L). Or there’s the A 35 4Matic for $103,900.

Alternatively, the CLA 35 mild hybrid with 225kW/400Nm is still pretty snappy, also has AWD and will set you back to the tune of $115,900.

This story first appeared in the June 2024 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.