Name: Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 review (2019 – ) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mercedes-AMG CLA 35
Rating: 62.0

Summary

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is a performance version of the regular Mercedes-Benz CLA model. Like its tamer siblings, it is available in either a saloon (which Mercedes insists on calling a ‘four-door coupé’) or estate (called a ‘shooting brake’).

In the AMG family, the CLA sits below the more powerful CLA 45 model. It also shares its mechanical components, and most of its structural components, with the A-Class family. Essentially, the CLA 35 is a sleeker version of the Mercedes-AMG A 35 saloon. As with all the AMG 35 and 45 models, the CLA 35 is all-wheel drive.

Reviewers have generally approved of the CLA 35, with praise for its performance. However, several have noted that the estate version, in particular, “suffers from a relative shortage of practicality,” as John McIlroy from Auto Express puts it.

The interior gets plenty of praise, with the Carwow review team impressed with its “sci-fi interior tech and luxury”, while the Honest John team also likes the “posh interior, clever infotainment system… and generous equipment roster”.

Like the AMG A-Class models, the CLA 35 also suffers in media reviews by being not as fast and exuberant as the range-topping CLA 45 version, which journalists absolutely love. However, for normal customers handing over their own money, the CLA 35 is still exceptionally rapid. It’s also easier to live with, cheaper to run and more comfortable on a day-to-day basis. The styling is also slightly more toned down compared to the CLA 45, which plenty of customers will prefer.

As of May 2025, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 has a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. It scores well for its safety rating, although this is now six years old. However, its CO2 emissions and media review scores are only average, its reliability record is poor, and its running costs are very high.

CLA 35 highlights

AMG pedigree but slightly less bonkers than the CLA 45
Sleek styling
Excellent cabin technology
Decent performance for most needs
Better insurance premiums than the CLA 45

CLA 35 lowlights

A huge 100hp less than the CLA 45
Not as practical as the A 35 saloon
About £3.5K dearer than A 35 saloon
Expensive to run

Key specifications

Body style: Saloon and estate
Engines: petrol
Price: From £49,615 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Autumn 2023
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 packs more than 300hp, looks super-stylish and offers sci-fi interior tech and luxury – but it doesn’t come cheap.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

0Read full review

Carwow

“The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35’s biggest problem is its A 35 Saloon relative. The two feel much the same to drive and have the same great engine, but the A 35 is cheaper and is a little more practical despite its marginally smaller boot. As with so many premium four-door coupes, the appeal of the CLA 35 Coupe over its more flexible siblings lies almost exclusively in its swoopier styling.”

Model reviewed: Saloon range

Score: 6 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

James Howe

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Shooting Brake (estate)
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake does stand apart from anything else on offer in the small premium car market. Some will buy it just for its looks. But it suffers from a relative shortage of practicality and a bland-sounding four-cylinder engine. At this price, we’d be tempted to go for a rapid petrol BMW 5 Series Touring, which is more rewarding to drive and properly spacious.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re after something that delivers a bit of the performance and sophistication of the more ‘thoroughbred’ AMGs, then the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 should be at the top of your list. However, if you’re after the drama and engagement of the hottest Mercedes cars, you’ll leave disappointed.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
Read review

Model reviewed: CLA 35 ‘Shooting Brake’ estate
Score: 8 / 10
“The CLA35 is one of those cars that feels like nothing will trouble it, yet retains enough driver interaction to make reaching the other end of a twisting road feel like a joint effort.”
Author: Antony Ingram
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Shooting Brake range
“The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake is a sleek-looking estate with fantastic performance, but there are fast estates with more space in the boot.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: Saloon (facelift range)
Score: 7 / 10
“Subtle updates for Merc’s mini CLA 35 saloon-coupe, but not enough to make it a stand-out driving experience.”
Author: James Taylor
Read review

Model reviewed: Shooting Brake range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake is as capable as every other recent A35 model, but with an added dose of style and practicality.”
Author: Antony Ingram
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s a lot to like about the Mercedes CLA, not least its stylish looks, posh interior, clever infotainment system, grown-up driving experience and generous equipment roster.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Ballistic performance, excellent handling.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road users: 91%
Safety assist: 75%

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 shares its Euro NCAP safety rating with the regular CLA range. Some of the test results are also shared with the A-Class range, which is built on the same platform.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of May 2025, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 107
Average repair cost: £688.96
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

As of April 2025, the Mercedes-Benz CLA family (including all AMG models) has a below-average reliability score of 59%, according to workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. This rating covers both this generation and the previous model (2012 to 2019).

The average repair costs to date is also fairly high for this size of car, at almost £700. The most expensive bills so far have been for gearbox repairs, with an eye-watering average bill of more than £3,000. Fortunately, they have not been common.

Engine problems, however, have been both common and expensive with an average bill of about £800.

If you’re thinking about buying a used car warranty for your Mercedes-AMG CLA, make sure that it covers all of the problem areas shown above.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	33 mpg	E	33 – 36 mpg	D – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	193 g/km	D	173 – 198 g/km	C – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	40	C	31 – 42	C – D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£354	C
Year 2	£929	C
Year 3	£1,517	C
Year 4	£1,817	D
Year 5	£2,347	C
Overall	£6,964	C

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is an expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is poor, while servicing and insurance ratings are only average at best. This is pretty much inevitable, given the performance levels that the CLA 35 offers over the regular Mercedes-Benz CLA.