2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 8.4 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Mar 7, 2013

The 2014 CLA will be the new entry-level Mercedes-Benz, but it won't be alone at its expected $30,000 price point for long.

The BMW 1-Series has been on sale in the U.S.

for a few years, but it's been offered in two-door coupe and convertible body styles only.

That's due to change, as soon as 2015--by which time, the new Audi A3 sedan will have also found its way into American showrooms.

Meanwhile, the early arrivals in the compact-luxury class are already settled in, but both are more near-luxury sedans, at least in prestige per pound.

The Acura ILX has awkward features and packaging issues to go with lackluster performance, while the Buick Verano's gotten much smarter with a new turbo edition, while sticking with a softer handling setup.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA	2013 Acura ILX Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Audi A3 Get FREE Price Quote	2013 BMW 1-Series Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Buick Verano Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.4 A scaled-down CLS with turbocharged performance, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA proves the car world is shrinking--even at the luxury level.	7.4 The 2013 Acura ILX is a balanced, if compromised, entry-level/near-luxury sedan that combines fun and style for an affordable price.	8 The 2013 Audi A3 wears its age well, and remains a sporty, versatile choice for compact hatchback buyers who can afford a little luxury.	8 The 2013 BMW 1-Series is part small luxury coupe, part sports car, and if you're okay with a tight interior and a sometimes-frustrating iDrive, you'll find happiness.	8.2 Comfortable, well-appointed and inexpensive on the luxury-car scale, the 2013 Buick Verano is a mild performer--that is, until the turbo T arrives later this year.
MSRP From
N/A	$25,900	$27,270	$31,200	$23,080
Gas Mileage
	22 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	21 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy		21 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy
Engine
N/A	Gas I4	Turbocharged Gas I4	Gas I6	Gas/Ethanol 4-cyl
EPA Class
N/A	- TBD -	Small Station Wagons	Subcompact	Compact
Style Name
N/A	4dr Sedan 2.0L	4dr HB Man FrontTrak 2.0T Premium	2dr Coupe 128i	4dr Sedan
Drivetrain
N/A	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
N/A	5	5	4	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	4	N/A	N/A	4
Body Style
N/A	Sedan	Hatchback	Coupe	Sedan
Transmission
N/A	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Manual	Manual	Automatic w/Manual Shift