Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake 2015 Review

For a while now the big three German prestige brands have been bringing multiple variants of the same platform to market. Of course it helps to amortise costs, but certain attempts have appeared to be niche, at best.

Upon first glance of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake range you are led to believe that it should be a hit. It looks great, for a start… and that's despite a severe SUV appetite in this country which has basically rendered the conventional wagon obsolete.

Adding additional rear shape has also benefitted seat-up luggage capacity, now 25 litres more than the sedan for a grand total of 495. For reference, the BMW 3 Series Touring, which sits in the medium car segment alongside CLA, offers the same seat-up capacity. It's also five litres more than the C-Class Estate.

Sampling the AMG-tuned CLA 250 Sport first, you immediately notice an aesthetic lift via 18-inch AMG alloys shod in 235/40-series rubber and red-painted calipers which signify the larger brake package and perforated front discs the CLA 250 gains over the CLA 200.

AMG also worked on the suspension tune with increased negative camber and thicker anti-roll bar up-front.

Underneath the unique exterior lies the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, one that can provide a 50:50 front-to-rear split should conditions require it, though it defaults to a front bias under normal conditions.

Of course the Mercedes is well-equipped inside with electrically-adjustable, heated leather front seats with their integrated headrests proving particularly cossetting. Keyless entry and go, Mercedes' intelligent lighting system, panoramic sunroof, blind-spot assist and integrated sat-nav are particularly noteworthy.

Less praiseworthy is the radio reception, the digital unit tending to drop off station with alarming regularity. Without standard radio bands to fall back on, this can frustrate.

Taking off from a standstill we find the idle-stop functionality takes a moment to re-engage before the engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission take up drive. Once in its zone, however, the gearbox is a pleasure to use, though sport automatic mode is essentially redundant. If you want performance driving, there's always the quick-shifting manual option and accompanying shift paddles.

Once up to speed the CLA 250's 155kW/350Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine proves flexible and willing to rev through its less-restrictive exhaust. Although its performance falls short of similarly-sized and priced rivals (like Audi S3 Sportback or Volkswagen Golf R for example), the engine's torque is readily accessible, and makes for perfectly acceptable in-gear progress.

In ride terms the CLA 250 Shooting Brake blends a measure of tautness with enough compliance to allow it to perform over a variety of surfaces. Braking performance is strong with a progressive pedal, and the Nappa leather-trimmed steering wheel links to electric steering that is accurate enough, if not overly feel-some.

There is some road noise once up to speed with those wide tyres and engine note prevalent under throttle. We also noticed that the rear seats feel smaller than some mid-sized machines (hello again, C-Class), but overall the CLA 250 is an endearing companion.

While the CLA 250 Sport has some AMG touches, the hard-riding, obnoxious-sounding CLA 45 Shooting Brake is full-fat; though with the bright red exterior and stormy black wheels – and without that melodious V8 sound – some might say more 'boy racer'.

Switch 'some' for 'ample' in the road noise department, and you describe the CLA 45's highway manners. It's an incessant talker, always letting you know it wants to go via its hard-edged engine note and wide-treaded tyre noise (spread over 19-inch alloys).

The edge also extends to the ride, which trades compliance for more incisive response. There's a heavier steering effort in the CLA 45, but the reward is more precision once lock is applied.

Push a little harder and the feedback through the speed-sensitive system tells you there's momentary understeer – despite independent steering knuckles – before the quick-acting all-wheel drive system shifts drive to the rear and straightens things out.

Braking, thanks to the gargantuan package shared with its CLA 45 'coupe' stablemate, is even more impressive than the CLA 250.

The CLA 45's 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) system employs a specific tune for the electronic traction control systems and is capable of 'locking' the system at a 50:50 drive-split where required – all the better to put down what still sounds like unbelievable outputs for a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

The heavily turbocharged unit makes 265kW/450Nm to make mincemeat of similarly-displaced opposition, including the Audi S3 Sportback (221kW) and turbocharged six-cylinder Volvo V60 Polestar (257kW).

Obviously there's power throughout the rev range, but the combination of idle-stop and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox causes some low-speed delays as the drive is taken up, just like it did in the CLA 250 Shooting Brake. This is exacerbated in the AMG variant, perhaps because the larger turbocharger (capable of 26psi max boost) takes a moment to build up pressure.

Back inside there's clingy AMG Sports leather seats, lane-keeping assist and upgraded sat-nav as equipment highlights over the CLA 250. It may not seem like much has changed for your additional $23,110, but one flex of your right foot and you'll know what you're really paying for.

Either CLA Shooting Brake is covered by Mercedes-Benz's recently-announced capped-price servicing program, which is available for the first three services. A basic Silver plan which covers general servicing requirements is available but customers can opt for the Platinum service which includes front brake discs, pads and wiper inserts.

Service intervals are set annually or at 25,000km for CLA 250, or 20,000km for CLA 45. The first service is $396 for the former, ballooning to $576 for the latter. Roadside assistance is included for the warranty period (three-years/unlimited kilometres).

Highly capable in either all-wheel drive flavour, the CLA Shooting Brake range is a viable small-family option. Though pricier than most of its opposition, the usual Benz quality is evident and, especially in CLA 45 form, is offered with the performance to match its distinctive appearance.

What we liked:  
>> All-weather ability
>> Extra practicality
>> Distinctive looks

Not so much:
>> Power lags for price
>> Not quite a family car
>> Road noise

Also consider:
>> Audi A4 S Line Avant (from $58,500 plus on-road costs)
>> BMW 328i Touring (from $73,800 plus on-road costs)
>> Skoda Octavia RS Wagon (from $38,140 plus on-road costs)

Also consider:
>> Audi S3 Sportback (from $61,100 plus on-road costs)
>> Volkswagen Golf R Estate (from $TBA)
>> Volvo V60 Polestar (from $102,990 plus on-road costs)

What we liked:  
>> Raucous fun
>> Strong traction
>> Speedy shifts at pace

Not so much:
>> Never less than stiff
>> Low-speed gearbox creep
>> A bit 'boy racer' for an AMG?