We have always talked about cars having their own personality, whether that comes from the styling, the brand image or the way it drives, and some people think that modern cars have less character, especially as they are becoming electrified. However, the pendulum is swinging the other way as new technology can improve the way the driver interacts with the vehicle. Your car was once just a carriage made of steel, rubber and glass, whereas now you can almost have a conversation with it. Or, at least, with the AI living in your car.
Mercedes seems to have taken a leap forward with the technology in the new CLA 250+ with EQ Technology. You no longer fiddle with buttons or even touch screens because now you talk directly to it in order to control many of the car’s functions.
You wake up the AI by saying “Hey Mercedes” and off you go. Tell it to increase the fan speed or lower the passenger window and it understands. Ask it to find you a nearby restaurant and it will give you several options before directing you there. You can even ask it any sort of question, just as you would enter a question into Google, and it will give you a response. Voice commands have been around for decades but never really caught on. Here, it’s positively impressive, because it’s so easy to use and it works. It won’t be long before you are chatting away to your car like it was a trusted friend.
Technology takes centre stage in the CLA, literally. A large screen stretches from one side of the car to the other, including a personal screen for the passenger. It is colourful, it works smoothly and if you can use a smartphone then you’ll feel at home in here.
The sunroof is a huge piece of glass that stretches uninterrupted from front to back and it can be darkened with a single command when the sun gets too hot or, at night, it will display a field of stars. The car can even park itself, which can be a bit unnerving the first time you take your hands off the wheel, as it spins by itself, but is actually a brilliant feature that might help save your alloy wheels.
Battery technology is also improving rapidly – this one has 20% better energy density than any electric Mercedes before it. The CLA eliminates one of the concerns of EVs with its huge 922 kms of potential range around town (or up to 791 kms on the combined WLTP cycle) and 800v electrical architecture that can give you up to 325 kms of range in just 10 minutes on a fast charger. Four levels of braking regeneration are possible, and it is relatively discreet when driving, but regen becomes less of an issue for the driver when the range is so good to start with.
Around town, the CLA 250+ is serene, even with one of several artificial noises engaged, and rides very well on less than perfect roads. At one point, the car even warned me of a particularly large pothole coming up in the road ahead (called a “nid-de-poule, a hen’s nest in French, in case you were wondering), giving the impression that this car is really looking out for you.
It’s not a huge saloon, so is easy to manoeuvre in traffic, and the single e-motor has enough instant power to respond quickly when you need it. 0-100km/h takes 6.7 seconds. Handling is more ‘reassuring’ than ‘sporty’ and in terms of speed it is nippy rather than furious, although the more powerful CLA 350+ should cater for drivers who desire a bit more oomph. As with all the best electric cars, at low speeds it feels more powerful than it is despite the extra weight of the battery.
Overall impressions? Well, it’s a talking car that is able to carry out your instructions and answer your questions, that is able to park itself, can understand the world around it and which actively helps make your drive easier and safer. It’s almost as if the car is alive, and it is certainly intelligent. It drives very nicely, it goes a long way on a charge, it has good luggage space (front and back), the massive glass roof is a nice feature and the interior is very modern without being too bling. With a starting price of 52,900€, you get a lot for your money in a very attractive package.
Richard McCreery is Monaco Life’s Car Contributor. See more of his reviews:
Review: The Grecale Folgore delivers Maserati’s signature character in electric form
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All photos courtesy of Mercedes