Here is why the brand new Capturing Brake bodystyle makes the already ace Mercedes-Benz CLA a fair higher EV

Introduction

I used to be blown away by the Mercedes-Benz CLA once I drove it on the tail-end of final 12 months. It drove like a dream, was super-efficient and the bottom stage 250+ Sport trim wasn’t brief on equipment. Now that I’ve spent a while behind the wheel of the Capturing Brake model, although, it’s completely the property that will get my vote.

Sure, CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium Plus Capturing Brake is a ridiculously lengthy identify, however it clues you in as to the abundance of additional options and features to anticipate within the cabin – in addition to a extra beneficiant baggage allowance on the rear in comparison with the saloon. Be aware I didn’t say wagon and sedan there; Mercedes gained’t be bringing the Capturing Brake to North America any time quickly.

My take a look at automotive’s heap of goodies included multibeam LED headlights, the capacious MBUX Superscreen set throughout the sprint, a head-up show and a somewhat fabulous Burmester 3D Encompass Sound audio system. The wonderful ambient lighting pack topped all of it off for night-time driving. Some could disapprove of the bling, however I beloved each minute – even when they pushed the asking value to a heady £56,075. All issues thought-about, I really suppose it’s nice worth for a junior govt EV that leaves nothing out.

The styling

The CLA is an efficient wanting saloon, however I feel it really works even higher within the taking pictures brake format. This automotive is fantastically glossy, with the AMG Line Premium Plus trim’s pop-out chrome door handles and gloss black alloys giving it a bit of additional edge. It simply appears higher proportioned to those eyes.

Don’t go anticipating a TARDIS-esque trunk on the rear, although. With 455 litres of seats-up boot house it’s not a complete lot bigger than the 405-litre saloon. Usefully there’s a 101-litre frunk beneath the bonnet, and with the seats down the Capturing Brake is undeniably sensible when it must be.

The inside, full with extra AMG prospers, was a dream too, with man-man leather-based and suede-effect coverings including to the consolation ranges. I did discover the stark white door card panels a bit of distracting at first, however the impact was much less of a problem the longer I used to be behind the wheel. A full-length panoramic glass roof topped it off. Scrumptious.

The drive

I discovered the CLA saloon bliss to drive and the CLA 250+ taking pictures brake was all that and extra. It is a such a cushty automotive, with every little thing at hand and little or no effort required to pilot it. I beloved the column shifter, the properly balanced steering and general manoeuvrability. This didn’t actually really feel like an property automotive both and even parking it was a doddle due to the wonderful on-board cameras. Getting the CLA 250+ taking pictures brake round unfamiliar streets was much less irritating than I anticipated and the turning circle was spectacular too.

Nonetheless, the actual pleasure got here once I acquired out on to the open street for a two-day journey that lined numerous motorways and loads of A and B roads. On the motorway, the place many EVs begin to lose their cost fairly dramatically, the CLA appeared to hold on regardless and solely sipped on the sizable battery stage. It actually was spectacular to see how far I may get with out utilizing a lot vitality. Even later one night, once I was on an excellent backroad and pushing the automotive fairly enthusiastically, the CLA nonetheless didn’t appear to get flustered. Against this, I’ve pushed some electrical vehicles the place it’s attainable to see the vary dropping by increments in actual time.

The opposite good factor in regards to the CLA is the way in which it handles. The automotive feels fairly low and sits on the street actually properly. Because of this, there’s little fear about throwing it by way of tight bends and my automotive felt prefer it was on rails. Contemplating so many EVs really feel a bit of boring to drive, I feel the CLA provides a a lot fizzier expertise. It’s actually a driver’s automotive and one which must be up there with one of the best of them. On the identical time although, being behind the wheel does really feel decidedly upmarket. That stated, I additionally acquired the sensation that the luxurious CLA irritated some people who have been most likely feeling bitter they weren’t driving one themselves.

The expertise

I get on extraordinarily nicely with the newest MB.OS and MBUX infotainment software program discovered contained in the CLA vary. Whereas some would possibly say it’s all a bit of an excessive amount of, particularly when there’s one other display unfold proper throughout the sprint to the passenger facet, the options and features are pretty much as good as they arrive. I clocked up some excessive miles and having the ability to use the voice assistant was actually helpful. It was as intuitive and genuinely useful as every other system I’ve tried.

After attempting all of the completely different view choices for the ten.25in driver show I settled on conventional (but nonetheless digital) dials; to my thoughts they’re the simplest on the attention. In the meantime, the 14-inch primary display was glorious, particularly when it got here to navigation, discovering chargers and usually working as anticipated. Topping it off was the head-up show, which was concise however totally customisable. The best way the MBUX Superscreen has been laid out and the general color and readability of what was on provide may be very exhausting to beat.

A number of the controls on the steering wheel have been fairly delicate, so a few instances I inadvertently modified my dials or cancelled one thing by chance. However that’s a minor grumble within the massive scheme of issues. I additionally made full use of the connectivity on this automotive, selecting to look at some YouTube movies throughout a cease by way of each the principle display and the in any other case pointless 14in passenger facet viewing space at any time when I took a break. The standard of the image from each was second to none.

A fast point out ought to go to the Burmester audio setup too, which was additionally incredible.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Capturing Brake verdict

Whereas the time period taking pictures brake is perhaps only a fancy approach of claiming ‘property’, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium Plus is a category act. It’s acquired all of the attraction of the saloon however boosts the practicality ranges a bit of too. Positive, legroom within the again wasn’t fairly as beneficiant as I’d anticipated it to be, however there was no quibble with the standard and luxury of the seating in both row.

Better of all although, is the driveability of this automotive, which is a dream to be behind the wheel of and that’s topped solely by the very good effectivity. Anybody who’s ever suffered from vary anxiousness ought to drive the CLA as a result of it has an innate knack of by no means feeling prefer it’ll run out of juice, even when there are solely mere miles left on the vary clock.

Granted, it may nonetheless ultimately go flat, however what an amazing place to take a seat it out if it did.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Capturing Brake technical specs