By Malusi Msomi

We recently travelled to Cape Town for the South African launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA, a model that marks a significant evolution for the brand’s compact sedan. While it retains the sleek, coupe-inspired silhouette that made its predecessor so popular, the new CLA feels more mature, more sophisticated and considerably more advanced.

Exterior

The new CLA has grown into its GT-inspired proportions, with a longer wheelbase, muscular shoulders and a low, elegant roofline that gives it a far more premium presence. Up front, the illuminated star-pattern grille and new MULTIBEAM LED headlights immediately catch the eye, while the full-width lighting elements at both the front and rear modernise the overall look. A standard panoramic glass roof further enhances the design, giving the CLA an airy and premium feel.

Interior

The cabin is undoubtedly one of the highlights. Mercedes-Benz has taken a minimalist approach, but without sacrificing luxury. High-quality materials, comfortable seats and the expansive MBUX Superscreen dominate the dashboard, combining a 10.25-inch driver’s display with a crisp 14-inch central touchscreen.

Running the show is the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which proved incredibly intuitive during our time with the car. Navigation through the menus is seamless, graphics are sharp, and the AI-powered features make interacting with the infotainment system feel more natural than ever before.

The drive

Our launch route around Cape Town gave us the opportunity to experience the CLA 200 in a variety of driving conditions, and it left a strong first impression. Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 120kW and 250Nm through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

While the numbers may not sound groundbreaking, the way the CLA delivers its performance certainly impressed us. The powertrain feels smooth and refined, the transmission shifts seamlessly, and the mild-hybrid assistance makes the car feel responsive from low speeds. Combined with its composed ride and confident handling, the CLA is an incredibly easy and enjoyable car to drive.

First impressions

Although our time with the new CLA was limited to the launch drive, it certainly left us wanting more. The beautifully executed cabin, cutting-edge technology and refined driving experience make it feel like a genuine step forward for Mercedes-Benz’s compact sedan. We can’t wait to spend more time with it for a full road test.

Pricing for the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA is as follows:

CLA 200 Progressive: R939,519

CLA 200 AMG Line: R1,016,219