In-depth reviews
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake estate owner reviews
“The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake favours style over practicality but it’s still more versatile than the saloon”
Carbuyer Rating
4.2 out of 5
Owners Rating
4.0 out of 5
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100%of people would recommend this car to a friendCommon Problems
Review 1 of 1
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
Sport 200d
Year
2015
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
45
Tell us what you think about your car?
Most reviews I've read about this car are written from journalists expecting it to be comparable to a Ferrari, Bentley and a Ford Transit all at once. It isn't but nor does it pretend to be. It's its own car and it does everything that you are likely to need it to do very very well. So here in more detail:
Exterior:
It's always personal preference, but I think it looks awesome. Sleek, stands out from the crowd and well proportioned. I don't think there's a thing on the outside of this car that I don't like. If you don't like what it looks like, don't buy it! Headlights are surprisingly bright - I think you could x-ray someone with them.
There's attachments on the roof for roof rails should you need them, though I can't imagine that they'd be cheap!
Interior styling and ergonomics:
I think it looks great. It's sleek and modern. The seats are comfortable and there's plenty of adjustment. If you're still struggling the steering wheel has the longest reach adjust I've ever seen. It has rake too. The two front passengers will have plenty of space. There's room in the back as well unless you are a 6 footer, but how many cars do have enough space in the back for 3 fully grown adults unless you are buying an MPV?
The only criticism I could have had is that the pedals are slightly offset to the right. I thought this would bug me, but after about 5 minutes I'd forgotten all about it.
Interior build quality:
Other reviews have complaints about the hard scratchy plastics - but about 95% of the cabin is top notch with soft touch all round. How often do you sit in your car and fondle the plastic bits anyway? The pieces you do touch, like steering wheel and gear knob are luxurious enough. The seats are made of half faux leather (I think) and cloth and look hard wearing but tasteful at the same time.
Infotainment:
You've got a rotary button on the central console to control the 'iPad' style screen bolted to the dashboard. I don't think it looks bad at all - it could be more integrated but in another 5 years from now, what they are pushing now will look outdated. Things move on and to judge this design harshly because it's a couple of years out of date I think is harsh. It's easy to use: you'd have to be a moron to not know how or work it out within about 10 minutes. I've found it perfectly adequate for changing radio station, making calls and for sat nav. Navigating vehicle info is simple too. What else do you need it for? Connected to my phone first time, no problems.
Stowage: In the cabin itself there's plenty of space in the middle for a nice cubby hole and two cup holders, door bins are fine, a small-ish glove box but you'd get way more than a pair of gloves into it; perhaps a hat, scarf and packet of mint humbugs. The real bonus is the boot. It's big. OK, it's probably not the best aperture into which you could place a billy book case, but then this isn't a delivery van. I can get my son's non-foldable wheelchair in no problems. You'd get a good few suitcases in and there's even hidden storage underneath.
Driving Experience: Unless you want a rocket ship the 200d is perfectly adequate. How often do you need to get to 60mph in less than 8 seconds anyway? I'd say never, unless you are at the Nurburgring. If you want to go faster that's fine get the one with the bigger engine and bigger price tag, but 134bhp is absolutely fine for 99% of the time you'll be using it.
Reviews criticise the ride for being too harsh and crashing over bumps, but that also it isn't sporty enough which seems a little contradictory.The ride is not especially harsh, or even at all, unless you are expecting it to feel like a hovercraft! A genuine sports car would rattle your teeth out of your face on some of our roads, but this is a pleasant ride and hasn't felt bad to me. Maybe my expectations are too low! I also think the steering is fine - which has variously been described as vague or not connected to the wheels. You turn the steering wheel and the car goes in that direction.
The view from the driver seat is pretty good actually. You can see quite well and the pillars don't seem to be overly bulky and impeding your view. The rear window is quite small, but you've got parking sensors. When you are parking, you can see how close you are to the car behind by the light indicator that rather smartly appears reflected in the rear view mirror when you are reversing. I suppose some models also have parking cameras!
So, all in all, if you are after a car that isn't a Bentley, Bugatti or Berlingo, that doesn't break the bank but is a step up from a VW Golf estate, this is a car that will do it for you.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
