Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Gac Aion V

What's the difference?

Is the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 the perfect choice in the sleek sedan’s line-up?

Well, if you are after outright performance, then the answer still clearly lies with the CLA 45. But for those that just want a little more pep compared to the standard CLA range, the 35 is undoubtedly the one to get.

It’s not without its flaws, though, commanding a $15,000 price premium over the CLA 250 and a tougher-than-we’d-like ride, but if you value a more engaging drive and a brisk 0-100km/h time, the CLA 35 should definitely be on your shopping list.

Candidly, I questioned the logic behind GAC entering the Australian market, especially now given the seemingly non-stop influx of other brands. How could it really hope to stand a chance against so many similarly priced and similarly equipped rivals?

Well, the answer is by providing a better product. The Aion V is simply a better package than many of its rivals, Chinese and otherwise, at least based on our initial impressions.

It combines value and practicality but also adds a level of driving comfort and manners its Chinese rivals can’t match.

Is that enough to guarantee success? Not at all, but it’s a strong foundation to start with and at least gives GAC a fighting chance to not get lost in the crowd.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

From the front, the CLA 35 exterior oozes style and luxury.

Up front, the sleek and slender headlights emphasise the width of the fascia, while the large Mercedes logo sits proudly front and centre of the CLA’s nose.

There are subtle hints to the CLA 35’s sportiness too, with a slightly bulging bonnet and chiselled lower chin.

The grille is also unique on the 35, with a dual-horizontal slat design instead of the non-AMG CLA’s diamond pattern or the CLA 45’s Panamericana grille.

To my eye, the front of the CLA 35 is actually a bit too tame in styling for an AMG model. I prefer the in-your-face aggression of the CLA 45’s widened track and front grille, while the CLA 35 opts for more subtle styling cues. To each their own, though.

The silver paintwork of our test car probably doesn’t help, and if it was my choice I'd pick 'Sun Yellow' or 'Denim Blue' to stand out a bit more from the sea of black, grey and white German cars out there.

Move to the rear of the car though, and a large rear diffuser, big dual-exhaust outlets and a bootlid spoiler are much more befitting an AMG model.

Step inside the CLA and you will see it adopts the same dashboard design as all new-generation Mercedes vehicles built on the MFA2 platform, with the 'MBUX' dual-screen layout, large air-vents and central touchpad.

Our car was specced out with red-leather interior, which is a bit too loud for my tastes, but a two-tone black leather/titanium grey combo can also be had at no extra cost.

Sitting inside the CLA 35, you can tell it’s a modern car thanks to the clean layout of all the controls, while the screen-heavy dashboard definitely makes it feel tech-focused.

One of the most notable elements of the Aion V design is the absence of a ‘GAC’ badge on the front. That’s because, while all GAC models in Australia will be sold under the one name, in its native China there are several different sub-brands. GAC Aion is the ‘new energy vehicles’ brand, focused on electric vehicles (EVs), while the smaller Emzoom SUV is part of the more mainstream Trumpchi brand that offers internal combustion engine models.

It means the three cars sold initially, and even as the brand moves forward with its expansion plans, there will likely be stark visual differences between models because they are effectively different brands. In the same way Holden ended up with a mixture of Opel, Chevrolet and GMC products in its final years.

Having said all that, the Aion V itself is an inoffensive design. It’s not as generic as some of its rivals, with some design character around the headlights and silhouette, so overall it cuts a likeable figure without being particularly memorable.

Like so many modern cars, the Aion V has a very simplistic layout inside, with more screens and less physical buttons and switches to reduce cost and complexity. There’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument display and a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen in the centre on the dashboard.

Measuring 4695mm long, 1834mm wide, 1399mm tall and with a 2729mm wheelbase, the CLA 35 is definitely a sizeable sedan in the metal.

This actually makes the CLA 35 slightly longer and wider than a non-AMG C-Class sedan that measures 4686 and 1810mm respectively, but don’t expect the same level of practical interior space.

With a heavily sloped roofline, rear-seat comfort takes a hit. My 183cm (6.0ft) frame could not sit upright behind my driving position without tilting my head, while legroom was also slightly lacking.

With such large C-pillars and a small rear window, the second-row can actually feel a little claustrophobic for full-sized adults, but will seat children quite comfortably.

Second-row amenities include air-vents, two USB-C ports, back-of-seat storage nets, bottle holders in the doors, and two cupholders in the fold-down arm rest.

Just like at a music concert though, the best seats in the CLA 35 are up front, with plenty of room for heads, shoulders and legs.

The cabin is also much more light-filled up front, making for a more pleasant experience.

The front seats are electronically adjustable, as is the steering column, but the headrests are fixed.

Storage options include sizeable door bins, a centre console cubby, glove box, two cupholders and a wireless smartphone charger.

Boot space is 460 litres, but can expand with the rear split-fold 40/20/40 rear seats stowed.

Though the boot looks small and shallow on the outside, the aperture is actually quite large, and can easily accommodate a large suitcase with plenty of room to spare.

In terms of practicality there’s a handy space for a wireless smartphone charging pad, and that previously mentioned heated or cooled centre console box. Oddly, though, there is no traditional glove box. Instead there are just a pair of bag hooks ahead of the front seat passenger.

Space is good for a mid-size SUV, with a roomy front and respectable space in the second row. It would comfortably accommodate four adults, so would be a good option for families with older children.

As for the boot, it’s a generous 427 litres and has multiple adjustable floor heights available. Disappointingly, even though it has space for a spare, potentially even a full-size one, it only has a tyre repair kit. That might be fine in some markets around the world, but in the vastness of Australia, that is not the best option. Even a space-saver spare would be a better bet.

Starting with the basics, the Aion V is a five-seat electric SUV priced from just $42,590, before on-road costs, for the entry-level model.

Now, not too long ago an all-electric SUV for under $45K would be a revelation and would have made an impact on this market. But there are plenty of alternatives to choose from these days at similar money, including the Geely, Leapmotor and the BYD Atto 3.

Even so, at $42,590 for the entry-level Premium and $44,590 BOC for the more-premium-than-Premium Luxury variant, that’s still very competitive pricing.

For that money you get a well-appointed mid-size SUV, with even the base model equipped with LED headlights and tail-lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control and a nine-speaker stereo.

Stepping up to the Luxury adds partial genuine leather seats, massaging front seats and a box in the centre console that can act as a fridge and a warmer, depending on your needs.

While neither the cheapest EV nor the best-appointed, the Aion V does a nice job of offering a compelling value proposition in its competitive set.

Powered by a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, the CLA 35 punches out 225kW/400Nm.

Drive is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions to the road via Mercedes’ '4Matic' all-wheel-drive system, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint in the 1603kg sedan in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Though I didn’t get a chance to test the latter, the former certainly feels accurate when taking off from a freeway on ramp, however, there is some hesitation from the turbo in getting on boost.

Peak power comes in at 5800rpm, while maximum torque is available from 3000-4000rpm.

Both the Aion V Premium and Luxury are powered by a 150kW/210Nm electric motor, which drives the front wheels. 

Aion doesn’t claim a 0-100km/h time, but it wouldn’t be quick, at least not in EV terms. If you’re looking for a ludicrously powerful electric car - this ain’t it. It’s a perfectly fine powertrain for the job at hand, but it won’t blow your socks off with its performance and will take more than eight seconds to run 0-100km/h.

Officially, the CLA 35 sips 7.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, but we managed a 9.9L/100km figure in our week with the car.

The majority of our driving was done in inner-city environments, with the two trips down the freeway to seek out twisty country rounds.

Minimum fuel grade in the CLA 35 is 98 RON.

The battery is 75.2kWh lithium-phosphate type, which provides a claimed range of 510km. Importantly, that figure is on the WLTP cycle, not the more lenient Chinese (CLTC) test protocol, so you could reasonably expect close to that target in the real world.

GAC claims it can accept up to 180kW charging speeds, which will get the battery from 10-80 per cent in just 24 minutes. 

It also has vehicle-to-load functionality, so you can draw power from the battery for tools or appliances if you need it.

The CLA 35 might not offer the outright thrills or breadth of capability of the CLA 45, but don’t think the cut-price AMG offers up a cut-rate driving experience.

From the driver’s seat, one of the cool things about the CLA 35 is that it doesn’t actually look any different from its more expensive sibling.

The drive-mode selector that is now embedded on the steering wheel is fantastic, a feature first seen on the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door, and makes changing the driving dynamics on the fly an absolute breeze.

In fact, we think all cars where you can select drive modes should have a selector on the steering wheel like this, which lets you quickly and easily dial it up or down while keeping your hands on the wheel.

'Comfort', 'Sport', 'Sport+' and 'Individual' modes are available, while the transmission can also be put into manual mode independently for those that prefer to use the flappy paddles.

Suspension settings can also be tweaked regardless of which drive mode you are in, and it’s this level of customisability that we appreciate.

You want loud exhaust pops and the engine in full attack with manual shifting and the softest suspension? Sure, that’s doable here in the CLA 35. And toning it down to its most comfortable settings is just a flick of the wrist away.

The steering feels a little numb on centre and at slower speeds, though feedback picks right up with speed and is communicative enough when the road starts to get twisty.

Fitted with wide and sticky Michelin rubber, as well as the aforementioned all-wheel drive system, the CLA 35 is certainly not lacking in grip.

The suspension does an okay job of absorbing bumps, but uneven surfaces, like Melbourne’s tram tracks, can send uncomfortable jolts into the cabin if travelling quickly.

In fact, we think the ride comfort of the CLA 35 is probably its weakest aspect, offering not enough variability in its Comfort and Sport settings, and instead settling somewhere in between, regardless of drive mode.

The CLA 35 is ultimately still a fun and engaging sports sedan, though there are some sacrifices made to get it there.

This is perhaps the area where the Aion V surprised the most. One of the most consistent qualities of these new Chinese-developed models is their incompatibility with Australia’s unique road conditions. They have a tendency to lack comfortable, controlled suspension and well-weighted and consistent steering.

That’s not the case with the Aion V, with GAC clearly taking the benefits from the partnerships it has with Toyota and Honda to learn what international markets prefer. Is this a clear standout, class-leading SUV dynamically? No. But it is above-average in the way it rides and handles.

The suspension is well resolved and feels comfortable to live with, while the steering is nice and direct, which will make navigating the cities, suburbs and open roads more easy and enjoyable. 

There is still some fine-tuning that could make it better, but overall the Aion V leaves a positive first impression. 

GAC is offering the same safety equipment across both models, which is a nice touch to avoid any need to compromise.

This includes full airbag protection for all occupants, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system. 

There’s also a lengthy list of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, emergency lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert and door opening warning.

These systems could benefit from some real-world testing and calibration, because while better than some, they were still intrusive and annoying at times - most notably the driver attention monitoring.

ANCAP has not yet tested the Aion V, but it has received a maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP, which typically carries over to the local body.

As with all new Mercedes-Benz models, the CLA 35 comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is one of the best assurance periods offered by a premium carmaker.

It also comes with five years of roadside assist.

Scheduled service intervals are every 25,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

A three-year service plan is available for $2150 for new CLA 35 buyers, saving $500 when priced individually.

Four- and five-year plans are also available, and are priced at $4200 and $4950 respectively.

The Aion V is covered by an eight-year, unlimited kilometre warranty which is well ahead of the mainstream pack, typically sitting at five years, unlimited km. The drive battery is also covered for eight years, 200,000km and roadside assist is included for five years. Recommended service interval and costs are still to be confirmed.

But one of the biggest challenges for all these new car brands is finding space in the Australian market - literally. If you want to sell a lot of new cars you need a lot of new car showrooms and if you want to keep customers happy, you’ll need enough service centres to keep cars on the road as much as possible.

GAC has plans to have as many as 100 dealerships in the next five years, but right now it has reportedly less than a dozen. That will make servicing problematic if you do not live in close proximity to a service centre. This isn’t the work of a moment either, with so many new brands fighting for dealership real estate and staff there are only so many places GAC can set up shop.