The backs of the front seats include cargo nets, while rear passengers have their own air vents and two USB sockets. The door bins are similar to those in the front, with tight access but deep sides for larger items.
Boot space
There’s a 405-litre cargo area on offer, but larger items will be tricky to load courtesy of the narrow boot opening, which is wider at the bottom than it is at the top, due to the location of the boot hinges. The powered tailgate seems pointless for a small tailgate such as the CLA’s, but you can lock the whole car by pressing it.
The back seats fold to help you load longer items in, but if you need more space, we’d advise paying the £1,000 premium and moving to the CLA Shooting Brake.
The CLA boasts a top score from Euro NCAP
Mercedes simplified the electronics in the latest CLA, so this should help it to be more reliable than past generations. It’s too early to say if the maker has been successful, though, so we’ll have to see how the model fares in future Driver Power surveys.
A five-star Euro NCAP rating from December 2025 shows that Mercedes continues to deliver when it comes to passenger safety in its cars, no matter their size. There’s a full suite of safety systems on board, with all models featuring blind-spot detection, traffic-sign recognition, brake assist, exit warning, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
Euro NCAP safety ratingsEuro NCAP safety rating 5 stars (2025)Adult occupant protection94%Child occupant protection89%Vulnerable road user protection93%Safety assist85%
Best buy: Mercedes CLA 200 AMG Line Executive
Prices for the hybrid-powered Mercedes CLA start from around £38,800 for the CLA 180 in base Sport trim. However, we’d invest some more cash and opt for the CLA 200 in AMG-Line Executive trim, as you’ll get much more kit and power for around £45,000.
Remember, you can save when you build your new Mercedes CLA with the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We also have a selection of CLA leasing deals to choose from, as well as new CLA models in stock right now.
Mercedes CLA alternatives
If you’re in the market for a compact executive car, the usual suspects have their own entries for you to choose from. There’s the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you’re after something sporty, while the Audi A5 comes with the option of plug-in hybrid power. If you’d prefer a more compact hatchback or saloon, the Audi A3 is still an appealing prospect, and it’s one of the ever-decreasing models to offer a diesel engine.
Of course, you shouldn’t forget the Mercedes CLA Electric. With its lower running costs and increased refinement over the hybrid, this is definitely worth a look if you’re prepared to make the switch.
Mercedes CLA pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
The CLA is covered by Mercedes’ standard warranty which lasts for three years with no mileage limit.
Mercedes recommends that the hybrid-powered CLA is serviced every 12 months or 15,500 miles, whichever comes first.
