The CLA is well-priced and promises to be a car that doesn't conform to the norm. Is that necessarily a good thing? We find out.

Photos: Joel Tam

I recently saw a white CLA on the road, and I must say, it's wasn't a pretty thing. Somehow, it accentuated all the wrong features on the car. Good thing though, the test-car we had came in black, and it looked so much better. In fact, it look gorgeous.

But the first thing that caught my attention when I took out the CLA 200 was not its 'experimental' looks, controversial as it is. It was the price. With a sub S$190K price tag, this Mercedes sedan was going for less than a BMW hatchback. It came as a surprise because such relative affordability and brand desirability had seldom been seen with the marque.

Essentially an A-Class underneath, the CLA looks like it had gone to a trendier tailor than its hatchback sibling. The four-door coupe is pretty avant-garde in styling, to say the least. The result is that some will like it, some will loathe it. That said, I've met more who find it 'progressively attractive'. Which is another way of saying "It's nice, but I'm not sure if I want to be seen owning one".

My sentiments are similar. The car is beautiful, and in many ways too. The wide front grille and the multiple curved lines that form its face add a large dose of aggression to its front end. The side profile is clearly meant to remind you of the CLS. The rear is the part where I feel it starts to lose the plot, but that's debatable. Some may like the leaf-shaped tail lamps, but I for one do not. In the end, despite its beauty and badge, I still need more convincing that this is a compelling buy. This is where we get in and drive.

Seated in the CLA, you're reminded of its close relation to the A-Class. Much of the interior is similar, yet somehow, it feels different. The overall quality and materials are good ol' Mercedes standard. Not quite as polished as an E-Class, but definitely superior stuff. The CLA 200 has a driving mode system that changes the engine response between normal, sport and manual. The 154 bhp turbocharged powerplant packs 250 Nm of torque, so it potters along pretty efficiently. Step on the gas, and the CLA 200 will charge down the road enthusiastically, albeit with a strained engine note.

With a 0-100kmh time of 8.5 seconds, the Merc is no tarmac scorcher, but it is still a respectable performer. The car rides hard though, and again, like the A-Class, it delivers a jittery ride over larger undulations. But it's when you push the car into the corners that the CLA starts to show another surprising side. It grips tenaciously and handles very well, which I guess justifies its average ride quality somewhat.

The steering is well weighted too, and any input through the leather wheel is quickly translated to the rubber ones. Quick changes of direction reveal fine agility, too. Much to my surprise, the CLA left me very impressed with its on-road performance. It almost has the potential of being (gasp!) a driver's car!

We've yet to try the 250, but by the looks of it, the 200 is going to be the top choice. It's got the badge, the style and it delivers a compelling drive experience. To top it all off, it's relatively affordable for a premium car too. But take our advice, get it in a darker colour, the white ones just don't work.