Mercedes Moves CLA From Entry Level Pricing To Near Luxury

Before you proclaim Mercedes a ruined brand in the comments, it’s worth examining how and why the brand is repositioning the CLA. That $3,550 price increase helps separate the 2020 model year from the A-Class’ $33,795 MSRP. Currently, there’s only a few hundred bucks separating the two — which isn’t ideal when the whole point of both vehicles is to reel in first-time buyers.

The pair are also extremely similar in both form and function. Without badging, we imagine most people would have no clue which was which. However, the 2020 CLA has been sized up in almost every dimension to help distinguish itself. Roughly two inches longer and wider than its predecessor, the new 4-door “coupe” stretches to 184.6 inches with 72.0 inches of girth. Meanwhile, the A-Class Sedan is 179.1 inches long and 70.7 inches wide.

cidflekken - 8/29/2019 2:01:40 PM

+2 Boost

This shouldn't be a surprise. The A-Sedan is the new entry point for the brand and there should be a defined separation between the two in pricing.

dumpsty - 8/29/2019 4:50:33 PM

+3 Boost

Meh, it's all about consumer perception. Both models are A-class vehicles. The CLA is a more "swoopier" take on the sedan's more "stately" posture.

Whats the difference between an E-classe & the CLS?

It'll be up to M-B to say how they want consumers to differentiate between the two. If pricing is the only thing, then it's purely a mind-game meant only to grab more buyer dollars.

cidflekken - 8/29/2019 5:03:11 PM

+3 Boost

It's more than just that. The CLA has a more powerful base engine and a more dynamic suspension setup. Similar distinctions between the E and CLS.

wilfred - 8/29/2019 5:10:05 PM

+2 Boost

This whole 4 door coupe idea is silly to me... makes more sense to have a 2 door A class coupe. Also, the C class starts in the low $40s. So depending on options, the A/CLA/C are just overlapping and making it harder for dealer inventories...

MDarringer - 8/29/2019 7:12:14 PM

+1 Boost

Indeed. The A should be $27.5K base and the CLA should be $30K base so that the AAMG and the CLAAMG top out at base C Class cost.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/29/2019 6:07:41 PM

+1 Boost

Why bother with a dash when you can just slap on an LCD panel. #pathetic

MDarringer - 8/29/2019 6:55:29 PM

+1 Boost

$33K isn't "entry level". Try $10K lower. The A and CLA are luxury priced to begin with.

skytop - 8/31/2019 1:48:24 PM

+1 Boost

In 2018, Every fourth car sold by Mercedes-Benz was a compact car. The new A-Class recorded global growth of 3.4% in 2018 and achieved a strong sales growth. The C-Class Saloon and Estate were again the highest-volume Mercedes-Benz models in the year of the model upgrade

The best-selling MB SUVs last year were the GLC and the GLA.