2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

MBZ Master (opens in a new tab) says the 2018 CLA250 stays mainly unchanged with a few modifications: the Harman Kardon audio leaves the Premium 1 package and is replaced by hands-free trunk access with a foot wave under the rear bumper, and premium sound stays available as a standalone option. It describes a new Ice Edition package with Cirrus White paint and white matte foil stripes, bundling the Premium, Sport and Night packages with LED headlights, a panoramic roof, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blacked-out 18-inch AMG wheels and a black MB-Tex interior with Dinamica inserts.

EPA rates the 2018 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 2018 CLA. 18V514000 and 19V892000 cover an occupant classification system that may not have been properly calibrated and could prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying properly, and 19V131000 covers tail lights and side marker lights that may flicker or fail and affect visibility. 21V229000 covers a steering shaft bore hole on AMG CLA45 models that may allow excessive movement of the universal joint bearing, 21V197000 and 23V854000 cover a front roof panel that may not have been bonded correctly, 17V627000 covers a driver's air bag that may deploy unexpectedly after an electrostatic discharge, and 21V058000, 21V072000 and 22V365000 cover communication module software that can disable the emergency call function.

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA: electrical system with 12, unknown or other with 10, engine with 9 and air bags with 8. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) keeps a record for the year, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps an overview page.

EPA rates the 2018 CLA at 26 to 29 mpg combined and $2,650 to $3,000 a year in fuel. The Audi A3 lists 25 to 36 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 22 to 26 at $3,000 to $3,500. The CLA is ahead of the 2 Series and IS and behind the A3 on fuel cost.