2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Carvana (opens in a new tab) says the 2017 CLA adds refreshed front and rear styling, updated gauges and interior trim, a wider 8-inch center display, a standard rearview camera and standard remote start, with engines and transmissions carried over. MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) adds new bumper and wheel designs and Active Brake Assist as standard, LED headlights and hands-free trunk access as options, and a CLA250 rated at 208 hp and 258 lb-ft with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) notes a slightly more aggressive nose and flush-mounted exhaust pipes.

EPA rates the 2017 CLA at 26 to 29 mpg combined and $2,650 to $3,000 a year in fuel, with front- or four-wheel drive.

NHTSA lists ten recall campaigns for the 2017 CLA. 21V229000 covers a steering shaft bore hole that may allow enough movement for the universal joint bearing to separate, 19V892000 covers an occupant classification system that may have been improperly calibrated and could prevent the front passenger air bag deploying properly, and 17V080000 covers a pelvis or passenger air bag inflator initiator that may fail to ignite. 21V197000 and 23V854000 cover a front roof panel that may not have been bonded correctly, and 17V627000 covers a driver's air bag that may deploy unexpectedly after an electrostatic discharge.

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA: electrical system with 7, air bags with 5, and power train and engine with 4 each. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) keeps a record for the year, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps a reliability page.

EPA rates the 2017 CLA at 26 to 29 mpg combined and $2,650 to $3,000 a year in fuel. The Audi A3 lists 25 to 34 at $2,150 to $2,500 including its plug-in hybrid, the BMW 2 Series 22 to 28 at $2,750 to $3,500, and the Lexus IS 21 to 26 at $3,000 to $3,700. The CLA is ahead of the 2 Series and IS and behind the A3 on fuel cost.