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Mercedes-Benz CLA 2020–2026 (C118)

Mercedes-Benz CLA
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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Price
$36,650–$58,000
MPG
30
  • Strength: Strong reliability
  • Strength: Strong tech
  • Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
  • Watch-out: Below-average passenger space
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How it scores for you10 scores
Sleeker and smarter than the original with MBUX flair and a riotous CLA45 option, yet rear-seat space and value still bow to the badge.
Reliability72

Recalled somewhat less often than cars of the same model years (over-the-air software recalls count half); 1 of its 16 recalls was serious. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -3 points for its wider reputation.

Safety50

Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.

Running costs48

About $2,700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 48% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility0

11.6 cu ft of cargo space — among the smallest of the sedans we track.

Passenger space35

Rear seat and trunk remain tight; style continues to trump packaging.

Driving fun55

Sharper chassis than the original; the 382-hp CLA45 is properly rapid, the CLA250 merely brisk.

Tech72

Dual-screen MBUX with voice control is a segment standout.

Comfort50

Better isolated than the C117 but still firm-riding with a snug cockpit.

Value retention40

Luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz tend to lose value faster than average.

Capability30

No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.

Safety & recalls21 recalls

Not yet rated by NHTSA.

21 recalls across 2020–2026

  • Recall — Seat belts: front: retractor (2026)
  • Recall — Tires (2023)
  • Recall — Child seat; child seat: vehicle LATCH anchor (2021)

2026

  • RecallSeat belts: front: retractor26V278000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 CLA 350 4MATIC (EV) and CLA 250+ (EV) vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor may have been manufactured with a defect that prevents the deactivation of the child seat safety function (Automatic Locking Retractor). As a result, the

2025

No recorded issues.

2024

No recorded issues.

2023

  • RecallTires23V232000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 AMG CLA 45 vehicles. The tires may leak air.

2022

No recorded issues.

2021

  • RecallChild seat; child seat: vehicle LATCH anchor21V034000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 A220, A35 AMG, and CLA250 vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) may be missing the right-side anchoring bar from the ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat.

  • RecallCommunication: auto crash notification; electrical system: software21V058000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle mod

  • RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system: software21V354000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX m

  • RecallBack over prevention: display function22V232000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not disp

  • RecallCommunication: auto crash notification; electrical system: software22V365000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model de

  • RecallLatches/locks/linkages: doors: lock26V481000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to d

2020

  • RecallAirbags: frontal: driver side: inflator module19V685000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A 220 and A 220 4MATIC, 2020 CLA 250, CLA 250 4 MATIC, GLC 300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The driver's side front airbag modules may not have been properly bolted down.

  • RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel20V089000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA35 AMG 4MATIC, 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC and GLS580 4MATIC and 2021 GLE53 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG 4MATIC, GLS63 AMG 4MATIC and Maybach GLS600 4MATIC vehicles. The instrument clus

  • RecallCommunication: auto crash notification; electrical system: software21V058000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle mod

  • RecallCommunication; communication: auto crash notification21V072000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-201

  • RecallElectrical: ignition: coil: spark plugs21V124000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA45 AMG vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines. Incorrect spark plugs may have been installed, which could come apart over time and cause engine damage.

  • RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system: software21V354000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX m

  • RecallFuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail; fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors21V961000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the

  • RecallSteering: electric power assist system21V989000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2020 CLA250 vehicle. The power supply connection to the electric power steering may have been contaminated with melted adhesive, which can cause the power steering assist to fail while driving.

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper22V125000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 AMG CLA 35 and 2021 GLA 250 vehicles. The rear brake caliper housing fasteners may be loose, which can reduce brake performance or cause rear brake components to detach from the vehicle.

  • RecallBack over prevention: display function22V232000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not disp

  • RecallCommunication: auto crash notification; electrical system: software22V365000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model de

  • RecallEquipment: other: owners/service/other manual; service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads23V732000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection ga

  • RecallLatches/locks/linkages: doors: lock26V481000

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to d

Cost to own$29,600 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$36,650–$58,000

Estimated used price, by model year

2026$53,900–$58,000
2025$40,100–$47,000
2024$34,100–$40,000
2023$28,900–$33,900
2022$24,300–$28,600
2021$20,300–$23,900
2020$17,200–$20,200

$2,700/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $36,650–$58,000
Efficiency30 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainAWD
PowertrainGas

City MPG

26

Highway MPG

36

Combined MPG

30

Horsepower

382 hp

Doors

4

Cargo volume

11.6 cu ft

Limited data — dimensions unavailable.

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