Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Reviews

The higher of two pure-electric Mercedes CLA models, and the flagship of the five-model line-up is the CLA350 4Matic electric, priced at $91,300, before on-road costs.

The first of two pure-electric Mercedes CLA models, the CLA200 electric kicks off at $72,200, before on-road costs.

The top-spec hybrid model in the new CLA line-up is the AWD 220 4Matic, sitting at $84,300, before on-road costs, which puts it in the same price ballpark as primo versions of its German ‘Big Three’ rivals, the Audi A3 sedan and BMW 2 Series.

The first rung up the Mercedes CLA ladder above the entry-level 180 is this CLA200 at $68,100, before on-road costs, which puts it in the same price ballpark as its German ‘Big Three’ rivals, the Audi A3 sedan and BMW 2 Series.

The Mercedes CLA line-up kicks off at $66,500 for the entry-level 180, which puts it in the same price ballpark as its German ‘Big Three’ rivals, the Audi A3 sedan and BMW 2 Series.

The CLA coupe-style compact sedan has been a minor player in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car portfolio... until now. An all-new version offering hybrid and pure-electric power is designed to step out of the shadows and take the fight up to its premium Euro rivals.

I once attended a car launch where they enlisted the help of one of Australia’s leading designers to tell us that ‘good design requires no explanation’.Which made it awkward when the car company executive then spent 30 minutes explaining the design of the newest model…While it was awkward and undercut the whole point of the design-led presentation, at least it made sense, because it was not a good looking vehicle. And that’s because despite all the concept sketches, clay models and focus groups, sometimes car companies just get it wrong.Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and looks are very subjective, but sometimes you just need to call a spade a spade. And, more importantly, there have been some models that have clearly been impacted by their looks.For example, Ford’s AU Falcon is a cult icon now, but at the time it was released it was widely considered a case-study in getting design wrong. In fact, you can probably trace the decline of the Falcon (and arguably the locally-made large sedans) to the looks of the AU.Another example of design having a major impact on a vehicle’s performance is the divergent fates of the 2011 Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger. Both utes feature the same Ford-developed underpinnings, but whereas the Blue Oval went down a design path of ‘boxy, tough, truck’, Mazda went a very different way. It tried to carry across the design ethos of its then-popular CX-7 and CX-9 SUVs, which arguably made sense given the gentrification of utes. But as history has proven, ute buyers prefer boxy, tough and truck-like design. Within a few years Ford had more than doubled Ranger sales, while Mazda had grown only marginally.So, what are some of the other most ‘visually challenging’ vehicles on the market today? Below is our list, but we’d love to know what you think, so let us know in the comments or on social media which new vehicles have a face only its designer could love…Tesla CybertruckThankfully Australia has been spared the sight of the ‘dumpster-on-wheels’ on our roads. Clearly the American electric brand wanted to stand out from the pack when it entered the ute/pickup market. Unfortunately, it stands out the same way you might stand out in a crowd if you wrap yourself head-to-toe in tinfoil.It has become a symbol of Tesla the brand: unorthodox, but not necessarily in a good way.Kia EV4When it comes to Kia the Tasman is the easy whipping boy of the brand. But that would be a cheap shot to hit it again, especially as the design was deliberately created to help the Tasman stand out in a very crowded ute market. It was a swing and a miss.The more unusual car in Kia’s otherwise very attractive line-up, is the EV4. The electric mid-size sedan is the definition of ‘form over function’, shaped by the wind tunnel for maximum aerodynamic efficiency.It works, with the long range models capable of more than 600km of driving on a single charge (according to Kia’s claim), but that doesn't change the fact it is an odd looking vehicle.Mercedes-Benz C-Class EVIt’s not just the mainstream brands that occasionally strike design trouble. The German luxury brand’s latest addition is unlikely to go down as one of the brand’s most iconic creations. Memorable? Yes, just not for the right reasons.The front grille is as subtle as a Las Vegas casino and looks like you crashed into a diamante shop. While the rear has so many three-pointed stars stuffed into the design nobody should be in any doubt that you’re trying to ram down their throats you have a Mercedes-Benz.And then there’s the interior…I know the full-width ‘Hyperscreen’ is an optional extra, but it’s 39.1-inches of technology over-riding classy, sophisticated design.Subaru OutbackSubaru has taken a big gamble on its latest-generation Outback, abandoning its wagon roots for an SUV design… sort of. Actually, what they’ve done is try to splice the two concepts together and the result is neither a good-looking wagon nor a stylish SUV.Instead it looks awkwardly proportioned, with a grille that wouldn’t look out-of-place on a US pickup truck. And the new Wilderness addition only adds more stuff to make it look even more bulky and awkward.Hyundai Santa FeLike I said earlier, design is purely subjective and there’s every chance you disagree with every car I’ve put on this list. I say that with confidence because I don’t think the Santa Fe should be on this list, because I think it’s a fantastic looking SUV.But, ever since it has launched I have had people tell me they think it’s hideous. In particular, the rear-end styling, with the lights mounted too low on the body, seems to be a sticking point.Personally, I love the boxy, almost-Land-Rover-Defender looks, but I can understand why it polarises opinion.And that’s the same story for any car, because everyone sees design strictly through their own eyes. So let us know in the comments what you think are the cars that get it wrong on the styling front.

America is winning the new car emissions arm wrestle.

Mercedes-Benz has just released the details of its latest AMG GT sports car, which is coming to Australia with huge amounts of all-electric performance.The four-door GT will officially launch in Europe towards the end of this year.A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia said the car has been confirmed for a local launch, with official timings still in the works.This will be the first variant of the AMG GT to not be petrol powered. Most of the range uses a 4.0-litre V8, but this EV model will offer a lot more power. It will be available in two grades, boasting some crazy performance numbers and all-wheel drive grip.Its three motor set-up produces a staggering 860kW and 2000Nm, capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 2.1 seconds. A sprint from 0-200km/h takes 6.4 seconds and the car accelerates on to a top speed of 300km/h.The car has been given a huge 106kWh battery, which offers an electric driving range of 460km, according to WLTP standards. Its 800-volt architecture enables DC charging from 10-80 per cent in around 10 minutes. There is a less powerful variant of the car that has 600kW and 1800Nm, resulting in marginally slower sprint times. The car has been given an advanced braking system, which utilises a carbon-ceramic hydraulic system to manage all this power. Mercedes has made substantial efforts to ensure the car keeps a characteristic V8 feel, which includes simulated gear shifts and engine sounds. In the cabin there is a 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital driver display, with an optional 14.0-inch passenger display also available. Pricing has not been announced yet for the car, but we can expect it to be significantly more than the plug-in hybrid V8 version, currently starting in Australia from $399,900 (before on-road costs). 

A new rapid hybrid variant of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has just been revealed as part of two new sleek limited edition models for the large sedan in Australia.The Mercedes-AMG E53 Dark Carbon will start from $206,900 (before on-road costs), shooting it up to the top of the E-Class range Down Under. It features several blacked out elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels, mirror housings, badging and grille. There is also a suite of carbon fibre, including in the centre console and other trim areas. It gets the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and plug-in hybrid set-up, which produces 450kW and 750Nm, as on the standard E53. Along with an all-wheel drive system, it an accelerate from 0-100km/h in under four seconds. This is 300kW and 430Nm more than the base E-Class. This car lines up as a rival to the V8-powered plug-in hybrid BMW M5, which starts from over $50,000 more (before on-road costs), but boasts 535kW and 1000Nm. Mercedes-Benz also unveiled another limited edition model as part of its announcement called the E300 AMG Night, priced from $129,400 (before on-road costs). It is roughly $3000 cheaper than the standard E300, but a more than $10,000 bump on the base E200. It features dark and blacked-out elements on the exterior and has 21-inch wheels made from a light-alloy material, which are finished in a black paint. This edition is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and mild hybrid set-up, producing 190kW and 400Nm, as in the standard E300. Along with the 14.4-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch passenger display, there is an 'Edition' badge exclusive to this model. It will continue to rival the BMW 5-Series, which is priced from $116,900, with prices rising up to $136,900 (before on-road costs).Both new E-Class variants have just entered into Aussie showrooms. 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing Australia