The 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 stands as an enticing entry point into the luxury car market, delivering a blend of style, performance, and technology synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz brand. This model year offers a compelling package for those seeking a premium driving experience without compromising on practicality or modern features. Let’s delve into what makes the 2017 CLA 250 a noteworthy choice, exploring its standard equipment, optional upgrades, and performance metrics.
The CLA 250 comes generously equipped right from the base model. Rolling on 17-inch wheels and ensuring visibility with automatic wipers and a rearview camera, it prioritizes both aesthetics and functionality. Inside, dual-zone automatic climate control creates a comfortable cabin environment, while eight-way power front seats with manual thigh adjustment, memory settings, and four-way driver lumbar support offer personalized comfort for drivers. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, tilt-and-telescoping adjustable, adds a touch of luxury to the driving experience. MBTex simulated-leather upholstery provides a durable and premium feel, complemented by the convenience of 60/40-split folding rear seats for adaptable cargo space. Mercedes’ Mbrace2 emergency communications system is included for enhanced safety and connectivity. The Mercedes COMAND tech interface forms the central hub for infotainment, incorporating Bluetooth connectivity, HD radio, a USB port, a media player interface, an auxiliary audio jack, and a CD player for a wide array of entertainment options.
For buyers looking to elevate their 2017 CLA 250 with additional features, Mercedes-Benz provides a range of optional packages. The Premium package enhances convenience and comfort with keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats, a blind-spot monitoring system for safer lane changes, satellite radio for expanded audio entertainment, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system for audiophiles. The Interior package focuses on cabin ambiance, adding leather upholstery for a richer feel, stitched MBTex on the dash and doors for refined detail, and multicolor ambient lighting to personalize the interior atmosphere. Tech-savvy individuals might opt for the Multimedia package, which includes a navigation system for seamless route guidance, voice controls for hands-free operation, and Smartphone Integration, which can also be obtained separately and unlocks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless integration of smartphone features.
Further customization is available through packages like the Convenience package, adding a hands-free power trunk for easier cargo access and auto-dimming driver-side and interior mirrors to reduce nighttime glare. For enhanced safety on the road, the Driver Assistance package incorporates adaptive cruise control to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead and a lane departure warning system to alert drivers of unintentional lane drifts. Sportier aesthetics and performance can be achieved with the Sport package, which includes unique exterior styling elements, upgraded brakes for enhanced stopping power, and 18-inch AMG wheels that contribute to a more aggressive stance. For driving enthusiasts, the Sport Package Plus takes performance a step further, adding performance-tuned suspension, steering, and exhaust to the upgrades of the standard Sport package, delivering a more dynamic driving experience. Finally, the Night package complements the Sport packages with 18-inch black AMG wheels and gloss black exterior trim pieces for a distinctive and sophisticated dark aesthetic.
Beyond packages, the 2017 CLA 250 offers a selection of stand-alone options to personalize the vehicle to individual preferences. These include a panoramic sunroof to brighten the cabin, bi-LED headlights for improved visibility, an adjustable suspension with Comfort and Sport settings to tailor the ride, an automatic parking system to simplify parking maneuvers, stand-alone blind-spot monitoring, a variety of 18-inch wheel designs to further customize the vehicle’s look, heated front seats as an individual option, and a Garmin Map Pilot navigation system, a more basic alternative to the advanced system found in the Multimedia package.
For those seeking even greater performance, the AMG CLA 45 variant represents a significant step up. It boasts a more powerful engine, a different transmission engineered for performance, standard all-wheel drive (4Matic), and sport-tuned versions of critical mechanical components including steering, suspension, and brakes. Unique AMG styling cues set it apart visually, along with LED headlights, sport seats, and distinctive upholstery combining MBTex simulated leather and Dinamica simulated suede. Most options available for the CLA 250 can also be selected for the AMG CLA 45, with additional AMG-specific options available. The AMG Dynamic Plus package enhances performance further with its own adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential for improved handling, and a special Race mode integrated into the car’s drive settings. The AMG Dinamica Interior package adds simulated-suede trim to the dashboard and steering wheel rim, enhancing the sporty interior ambiance.
Under the hood, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive, with optional 4Matic all-wheel drive available for enhanced traction and all-weather capability. Performance is brisk, with independent testing showing a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around 6.4 seconds, commendable for an entry-level luxury vehicle. Fuel economy is also a strong point, with EPA estimates of 29 mpg combined (24 city/36 highway) for front-wheel-drive models, and slightly lower figures for all-wheel-drive versions. Real-world testing has shown fuel economy figures aligning closely with EPA estimates, demonstrating the CLA 250’s efficiency.
In conclusion, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 offers a well-rounded package as an entry-level luxury car. Its comprehensive standard equipment, a wide array of optional packages and stand-alone features, and a balance of performance and fuel efficiency make it an attractive option in its segment. Whether prioritizing luxury, technology, sporty aesthetics, or enhanced performance with the AMG variant, the 2017 CLA 250 provides ample opportunity for customization to meet diverse driver preferences.
