Does the 2014 Mercedes CLA-Class live up to the hype?

The all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is here and is selling well around the globe, but has it lived up to all the hype? If you've seen it on the streets, you can’t miss the new 2014 CLA’s bold new coupe-like design. It’s a new model for Mercedes as they move into the compact luxury class for the first time, and buyers are responding in a big way. So what’s all the hype about, and is it living up to expectations?

Along with a great new design, the CLA250 will come with a plethora of standard features. The 2014 Mercedes CLA250 has an MSRP starting at $29,900 plus $925 destination. It comes standard with HD Radio, Hands-free Bluetooth interface, sport front seats, 14-way front seats with memory, Split-folding rear seats and ambient interior lighting. That’s not a bad start for this price point.

Exterior design

The all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class is called the “style rebel” and is aimed at attracting a new generation of buyers. Mercedes is already succeeding, and the new four-door coupe styling is getting global attention. Its progressive and dynamic design gave the Mercedes-Benz CLA a clear advantage over the competition. The competition was held by German motoring magazine "auto, motor und sport" and 17,680 readers cast their votes in this year's Autonis design awards. The CLA took top honors for the title of best new design product of 2013 in the compact car class. Buyers can make it even better looking with the Sport Package.

Sport package

Mercedes offers a number of options on the CLA250. A Sport package ($2,200) features sport body styling, chrome diamond-block grille, 18-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels and perforated front brakes with painted calipers. Panoramic roof ($1,480), Bi-Xenon headlamps and LED tail lamps ($850) and Interior package ($1,500) with leather seats, infrared-remote window opening/closing Tex upper dash and door trim with top stitching are also available options.

Technology

The CLA will keep a new generation connected via the iPhone. It starts with the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone, together with the Digital DriveStyle app specially developed by Daimler, makes it possible to seamlessly integrate iPhones 4 and 4S in the CLA. This is smart because the generation that Mercedes looks to attract is highly connected with the iPhone. Highlights include Siri voice control, the advanced navigation solution from Garmin with internet-based real-time traffic information, Google online POI search including Street View and 3D map view as well as the real-time location sharing system Glympse. Additional functions come in the guise of Facebook, Twitter and AUPEO! It also comes with Personal Radio, as well as internet radio for national and international stations.

Performance

The CLA features a 2.0-liter turbo Direct Injection 4-cylinder engine with 208 hp and 258 lb ft of torque. It comes mated to a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission, It also comes standard with ECO Start/Stop system, Collision Prevention Assist, Attention Assist, Adaptive braking technology, Daytime Running Lamps and Rain-sensing windshield wipers.

CLA45 AMG

Want more power? Mercedes-AMG offers the 2014 CLA45 AMG 4MATIC that has the most powerful four cylinder production engine on the planet. It boasts 355 horsepower and with 4MATIC, it keeps all that power firmly planted on the ground. It will get you to the slopes quickly witha 0-60 mph time in just 4.4 seconds. CLA45 AMG was named best performance/luxury car to buy for 2014.

4MATIC

The new CLA equipped with 4MATIC will get you to the slopes without incident. The 4MATIC works with the new Mercedes 7G-DCT automated dual clutch transmission, and the rear-axle gear unit with integrated, hydraulically actuated multi-disc clutch. The set-up allows fully variable distribution of the drive torque between the front and rear axles. This is ideal in wet or dry conditions, but works extremely well in snow or ice conditions.

Safety Systems

The CLA 4MATIC will get you wherever you are going safely. CLA comes standard with a radar-based braking system (COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST), which is able to warn the driver of an obstacle from a speed of 7 km/h and to initiate precision braking when the driver steps on the brake pedal.

Has the all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class lived up to the hype? With all this going for it, the CLA will likely continue to be a big hit for Mercedes-Benz. It sure looks like the German automaker hit a home run with the CLA four-door coupe.

Other 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class stories of interest.

• How 2014 Mercedes CLA will help brand overtake rival BMW
• Mercedes laps the field with all-new impressive 2014 CLA-Class

Learn everything you need to know about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 and the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG in this video walk around.