Mercedes-Benz CLA shooting brake 2015 review: road test

Benz's small car goes practical with a half-hatch, half-wagon version. The absence of a rear lid won't stop the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake from putting the boot into the competition.

The fifth model in Benz's small car line-up is half-hatch, half-wagon and, compared with the CLA Coupe on which it is based, it is a fundamentally better proposition.

Subjectively, its styling hardens up the "droopy" rear end of the four-door coupe. The 42mm of extra rear headroom, larger rear doors, bigger and better-accessed load space and softer shock absorbers can be objectively appreciated.

Proving practicality isn't necessarily a driving factor at this end of the market, Benz doesn't expect the shooting brake to mirror the coupe's success. And the coupe has been a hit by any measure. It has already found homes in 1247 garages this year, putting it ahead of the Audi A4, which is in itself a fairly convincing car.

The company line is the shooting brake gives buyers a bit more space without having to stretch to a C-Class wagon. Owners will pay $1500 over the comparable coupe for the four versions of the shooting brake.

Prices start at $52,400 for the CLA 200, which comes with semi-autonomous emergency braking, blind-sport alert, eight-inch infotainment screen with satnav, reversing camera and automated tailgate. Opt for the similarly equipped diesel CLA200 CDI and the entry cost is $52,900.

The pick of the range in terms of price and performance is the CLA250 Sport 4Matic. As the name suggests, it has all-wheel-drive to boost grip and adds an AMG-enhanced drivetrain, sportier stability control setting, powered and heated front seats, electric sunroof and upgraded trim.

The "diamond-studded" front grille won't do it any harm when buyers walk into showrooms, either.

The CLA Shooting Brake has a notably more supple ride than the coupe

The hero is the CLA45 AMG 4Matic at $89,900. The visual upgrades run to more aggressive front and rear bumpers and 19-inch rims but buyers are investing in the mechanical updates, communicated to the world via the AMG badge. There are three stability control settings, upgraded suspension, beefier brakes and 2.0-litre turbo that tears the wheels off sports cars for fun, as the 100km/h time of 4.7 seconds will attest.

Driving

The CLA Shooting Brake has a notably more supple ride than the coupe.

The springs are the same but the dampers have been softened to allow for the load-lugging potential and that has had the effect of taking the initial hit out of small, square-edged bumps.

The AMG versions — including the CLA250 — are a better ride again, courtesy of different suspension tune and the performance division's refusal to fit its variants with the run-flat tyres regular Benzes roll on.

Dimensions mirror those of the coupe, as does the interior fitout, from the tablet-style screen to the semisoft trim in the most conspicuous and most contacted areas of the cabin. Look lower down and harder plastics hint at cost-cutting in the less obvious areas of the fascia.

No complaints about the steering wheel or drive position, though. The front seats are a comfortable place regardless of time or distance spent in them.

The rear seats — described by Benz as a "2+1" layout — are supportive but there isn't quite enough legroom to accommodate long-limbed bodies for long distances.