Automotive Trends

Mercedes-Benz is enjoying strong sales growth and the CLA-Class is going to be a big driver of that. The new Benz starts around $32k and offers a fantastic amount of style inside and out, plus the brand cachet of having a 3-pointed star on the hood. But keep your expectations in check because hard plastics do make up the bulk of the center console and other minor trim pieces here and there. Credit to Mercedes for finishing the doors and dash in rich materials and spending the budget where it counts. Headroom is tight but such is the price for the stylish 4-door coupe look that is all the craze. All wheel drive is available and the 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 makes 208 hp but a respectable 258 lb-ft of torque. As a gateway drug for the Mercedes brand the CLA will be a giant success in 2014.