Should you buy one?

Yes. This is a fascinating car. Mercedes-AMG has produced an amazingly effective sports saloon with near-supercar levels of acceleration (with the CLA45 at least), and excellent levels of all-weather grip and security. 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.

The CLA45S is more accomplished than the lower-powered CLA35 sibling, but so it should at the price. You’re paying for the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in series production and a cutting-edge four-wheel drive system, but there will be some who’ll expect more in terms of interior quality and comfort for that price.

What we like

Unless you choose the Plus pack, it looks very discrete and can deliver its performance in a very discreet way. But the 45 version accelerates like a rocketship and we love it for that.

What we don’t like

The CLA sounds dull compared with its rivals, and the practicality is marginal. The ride quality is grim, and we’d like a touch more interior quality, too.

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