Mercedes has refreshed the CLA45, and at first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just another mild facelift. But look closer, and you’ll realise there’s more to it.
First, visually, the car has received subtle yet impactful updates, particularly to the front and rear styling. What really surprised me—and pleasantly so—was noticing the AMG-Affalterbach badge proudly positioned on the bonnet instead of the traditional three-pointed star. It’s a bold statement of intent, firmly establishing this compact AMG as a true performance-focused model in its own right.
Sliding into the updated CLA45, the first thing to catch my eye was the new AMG steering wheel. Its dual stacks of capacitive touch buttons instantly feel more modern and intuitive. Adjusting the individual drive settings is far easier, thanks to new dials positioned conveniently on the wheel. However, the real game-changer here is the upgrade to the second-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX).
It makes the previous system feel dated overnight, especially now that wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard—a welcome feature for someone like me who practically lives off a smartphone. However, one minor gripe I have is that the main display feels a bit small to be effectively used as a touchscreen, although the graphics quality is very impressive.
Interior practicality is decent up front, with comfortable spacing between the driver and passenger seats. The seats offer plenty of adjustment for drivers of varying heights, and there’s ample storage, including sizeable door pockets suitable for water bottles and snacks, a generous central armrest cubby, and a convenient tray for phones or wallets.
Rear-seat passengers have it tougher, though—while legroom is plentiful, taller occupants might struggle with headroom due to the sloping roofline. The Shooting Brake variant or rivals like the Audi RS3 are more accommodating. Boot space is practical enough with 460 litres. However, the high load lip and smaller saloon-style aperture can limit usability compared to the Shooting Brake’s more versatile 505 litres and larger hatch opening.
Under the bonnet, Mercedes-AMG hasn’t meddled with a winning formula. The CLA45 retains its feisty heart—a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a potent twin-scroll turbocharger. With 416 bhp available at a screaming 6,750 rpm and 500 Nm of torque coming alive between 5,000 and 5,250 rpm, the performance is anything but subtle.
“I appreciate the smoothness of EVs—but nothing quite compares to the character and excitement of turbo lag building into a ferocious power surge.”
Over my few days with the car, it reminded me exactly why I fell in love with combustion engines. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve begun to appreciate the smoothness of EVs—but nothing quite compares to the character and excitement of turbo lag building into a ferocious power surge. Taking the CLA45 to my favourite driving roads—99 bends, specifically—I was blown away by how planted the car felt. The 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, which offers fully variable torque distribution, paired perfectly with the grippy 19-inch Continental SportContact 6 tyres, directly translates every bit of power and grip to the road.
Speaking of power, it’s properly mental. Slam the throttle in Sport+ mode, and you’re instantly rewarded with relentless acceleration and aggressive gear changes. That said, I felt it lacked some of the audible drama—the pops and bangs—that you’d typically expect in Sport+ mode. Still, the engine sounds genuinely angry, crackling and growling in a way only AMG can master.
The brakes are more than adequate, and the steering feels superb. It is light enough in town speeds but properly loads up and gets weightier when the speed builds.
Ride comfort has notably improved, too. Previous A-Class-based AMG models were notoriously firm—fine for spirited drives but punishing for daily use. Mercedes seems to have found a sweet spot now; in Comfort mode, the new CLA45 rides significantly better. It still has that sporty stiffness you’d expect from an AMG but manages to round off bumps just enough to make daily drives genuinely comfortable.
“…if you’re fortunate enough to afford it, you’re getting a seriously versatile performance machine.”
As someone based in Singapore, where the cost of car ownership can make eyes water, my priority is always finding one car that can “do it all.” The CLA45 convincingly ticks that box. The price tag north of S$400k++ (after overtrade and discounts) might give your wife (or husband) palpitations. Still, if you’re fortunate enough to afford it, you’re getting a seriously versatile performance machine.
It’s a daily commuter with genuine AMG street credibility, and when the mood strikes, you can take it to the track or your favourite twisty roads and have a blast. In short, the updated Mercedes-AMG CLA45 is starting to feel like the ultimate all-rounder—a compact luxury performance car that’s practical(ish), thrilling, and undeniably AMG.
