DecodedCars2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- Cla250 4dr Coupe FWD, Cla250 4matic 4dr Coupe AWD, Cla45 Amg
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 24 city / 37 hwy
- Length
- 182.3–184.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,263–3,494 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 23 for similar models.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,263 lb (Cla250 4dr Coupe FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (24 city / 37 highway), 7% better than the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $2,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 CLA-Class — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 CLA-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cla250 4dr Coupe FWD | 182.3 in | 70.1 in | 56.7 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,263 lb | 61/39 |
| Cla250 4matic 4dr Coupe AWD | 182.3 in | 70.1 in | 56.7 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,395 lb | 61/39 |
| Cla45 Amg | 184.6 in | 70.1 in | 55.9 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,494 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLA250 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 37 / 29 | +7% | $2,850 | 310 |
| CLA250 4matic FFV | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | 0% | $3,050 | 328 |
| CLA250 4matic | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | 0% | $3,050 | 328 |
| AMG CLA45 4matic | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | -4% | $3,150 | 348 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Similar 2018 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2018 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Audi A4 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 310 mi | ★★★★★ | 19 |
| 2018 Audi A3 | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 Audi A5 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other CLA-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 CLA-Class | 33 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 CLA-Class | 30 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 CLA-Class | 30 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 CLA-Class | 30 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 CLA-Class | 29 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 CLA-Class | 29 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 CLA-Class | 29 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 CLA-Class | 28 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 CLA-Class | 29 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 CLA-Class | 29 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 CLA-Class | 30 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 CLA-Class | 30 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →