The 2015 CLA is the new entry-level Mercedes-Benz, and it's been surrounded by new entry-luxury competition form all sides.
Audi's new A3 has gone sedan, leaving the hatchback version in Europe; unfortunately, i is outdone by the less-expensive VW GTI with which it shares a platform.
The BMW 1-Series has been revamped into a new 2-Series, which adopts more conventional coupe styling and is a standout in this segment because of its rear-drive architecture.
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 in all but the manual-equipped 2.4-liter model, while the Buick Verano's gotten much smarter with a turbo edition, while sticking with a more relaxed handling setup.
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 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA ClassBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Acura ILXBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Audi A3Browse Used Listings |  2015 BMW 2-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Buick VeranoBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2015 CLA is a small Mercedes done right, with enough of the brand's style and refinement mixed with a dash of youthfulness. |
The 2015 Acura ILX is a well-rounded compact premium sedan for those who want features and comfort, but don't mind sacrificing performance. |
The 2015 Audi A3 and S3 put more pressure on "premium" small sedans, with real prestige in their badges and real potential in their spec sheets. |
The 2015 BMW 2-Series is a well-rounded luxury sports coupe with looks, handling, features, and speed that belie its entry-level positioning. |
The 2015 Buick Verano may not be much of a sports sedan, but it certainly delivers in the category of comfort. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $31,500 | $27,050 | $29,900 | $32,100 | $21,065 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 23 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Gas/4-cyl |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Compact |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan CLA 250 FWD | 4-Door Sedan 2.0L | 4-Door Sedan FWD 1.8T Premium | 2-Door Coupe 228i RWD | 4-Door Sedan w/1SV |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 |
| Body Style | ||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Coupe | Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/Manual Shift |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class vs. 2015 Acura ILX | 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class vs. 2015 Audi A3 | 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class vs. 2015 BMW 2-Series | 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class vs. 2015 Buick Verano | |
