New-Generation CLA-Class Arrives With Big Bro Styling

Since debuting in 2014, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has drawn younger buyers into the brand, giving the Mercedes a fresh crop of buyers to move up through the ranks of its lineup in future years. While it was a success, the CLA-Class has aged out and is ready for a complete redesign. Mercedes is happy to oblige with the all-new 2020 CLA-Class.

A quick glance at its pictures, and it is easy to pass the 2020 CLA-Class off as the recently redesigned CLS-Class. And that’s precisely what Mercedes-Benz wants. It wants this smaller, less expensive vehicle to prime buyers for the full-on flagship rig once they hit that executive level. Like the new CLS, the 2020 CLA-Class boasts thinner, more whimsical headlights, a longer hood, a rearward-positioned cabin, a low-slung hood, and a raked-forward trunk lid. These changes enhance the four-door-coupe design many of us thought was a passing fad.

This new body is also larger in most dimensions. It is 1.9 inches longer and 2 inches wider, and it rides on a 1.1-inch longer wheelbase. Its stance is more secure with a 2.5-inch wider front track and a 2.2-inch wider rear track, giving it more grip in the corners

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Inside, the youthfulness continues with its smooth, one-piece dash topper accented by a “floating” touchscreen with a “trench” that separates it from the dash. Add to that its turbine-like HVAC vents, accent colors, flat-bottom steering wheel and innovative gesture control, and you’ve got a luxury car with the younger buyer firmly in its crosshairs.

Its under-hood bits remain unknown for now, but what we know is the CLA-Class debuted as the CLA250 — just like the current model — so it may have carryover greasy bits.

More details will come out as we near its late-2019 arrival in showrooms.