Summary
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is a high-performance version of the standard CLA model range, which is in turn based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback. This is the second-generation line-up, which arrived in the UK in early 2020.
More powerful than the CLA 35, this saloon (which Mercedes calls a ‘four-door coupé’) and estate (‘shooting brake’) range now only includes one trim and engine option – the four-wheel drive CLA 45 S that provides 420hp and a 0-62mph sprint time of four seconds flat.
Like the highly-regarded A 45 hot hatch, the CLA 45’s impressive performance has struck a chord with the British automotive media. Evo‘s Antony Ingram explains that the car “covers ground with astonishing composure”, while the What Car? team concedes that “it’s pricey, but such talent comes at a cost.”
That said, “there’s far more to it than pure speed”, says Auto Express. The CLA 45 range has also been praised for its tech-laden interior and practicality, particularly its large boot.
However, if ferrying around the family isn’t on your daily to-do list, Car‘s Jake Groves concludes that you should probably look elsewhere for performance thrills. “Look at it purely like a hot hatch, and you might be able to get almost as much thrill from something half the price.”
As of June 2023, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 holds an Expert Rating of 76%, based on 14 reviews published by UK motoring titles. This score is considerably higher than the 69% currently held by the standard CLA, but several points short of the mechanically identical A 45 hot hatch.
CLA 45 highlights
- Powerful and responsive engine
- Comfortable and tech-laden interior
- Large boot
- Agile handling
CLA 45 lowlights
- A 45 hatchback is more spacious in the rear
- Expensive to buy and run
- Some cheap interior plastics
Key specifications
Body style: Small saloon and estate
Engines: petrol
Price: From £63,660 on-road
Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic CLA 45 S Plus
Score: 9 / 10
“The latest Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is as big a leap over its predecessor, just as the A 45 was. There’s far more to it than pure speed, although there’s certainly plenty of that, too.”
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 S Shooting Brake
Score: 8 / 10
“Ultimately, the electronics-flavoured handling sits in the faintly artificial no man’s land between fiercely nose-led hot hatch and something more mature and elegant dynamically, such as the C63 Estate. The CLA 45 S Shooting Brake is also expensive and ergonomically found wanting.” (Richard Lane)
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Saloon-cum-coupé take on the A-Class gets the hardcore ‘45’ treatment, coming away with only subtle characteristic differences from the hatch.” (Matt Prior)
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 Shooting Brake
Score: 8 / 10
“Approach it like a real performance car with estate practicality and this will be capable of setting lap records and family trips away all in one car. Look at it purely like a hot hatch, and you might be able to get almost as much thrill from something half the price.” (Jake Groves)
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 S
Score: 8 / 10
“In a world that’s turning to hybrid and electric vehicles, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S feels like an act of defiance.”
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 Shooting Brake
“The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Shooting Brake blends performance with practicality, but its aggressive looks and strong engine come with a hefty price tag.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The AMG CLA 45 is seriously good fun to drive and looks cool inside and out. It might be a bit too subtle for some – there are no lairy spoilers – and the back seats are cramped at best.”
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 S Shooting Brake
Score: 9 / 10
“The Shooting Brake still covers ground with the same astonishing composure and pace as other 45s and still manages to involve the driver as it does so.” (Antony Ingram)
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 S
Score: 9 / 10
“Fast, good looking, and more involving than its predecessor.” (Antony Ingram)
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Model reviewed: CLA 45 Shooting Brake
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake majors on both style and practicality, mixing these with a fine driving experience and impressive technology.”
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Model reviewed: 45 S
“Ultimately the CLA 45 S AMG is a fast and hugely-capable performance car that is undemanding in normal driving too.”
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“It should turn its hand to anything a small family throws at it, then when needed, serve the driver a great deal of fun when she or he is alone in the car and in a hurry.” (Keith Adams)
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Heavy-handed in its performance and ride quality, but with way more depth and finesse than its predecessor.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“You might think that the CLA45 experience would be dominated by the engine, but it’s the agile and engaging handling that is key to its appeal. It’s pricey, but such talent comes at a cost.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road users: 91%
Safety assist: 75%
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 has not specifically been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but it shares its safety rating with the overall CLA range that scored five stars when it was tested in 2019.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of June 2023, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. If it happens, we’ll publish the results here.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of June 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the CLA 45, we’ll publish the score here.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio | Audi RS3 | BMW M2 | Honda Civic Type R | Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 | Mercedes-AMG A 45 | Peugeot 508 PSE | Volkswagen Golf R
More information
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