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By Jonathan Crouch

The CLA 35 4MATIC is a fast, appealing but pricey package. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The entry-level Mercedes-AMG 35 drivetrain gets more striking packaging with this CLA version, offered as a four-door Coupe or a Shooting Brake estate. It's gained mild hybrid tech in recent times, but the package here is otherwise familiar, with pricey style and speed in equal measure.

Backgroundword count: 129

So, how would you like your Mercedes-AMG 35? In A 35 hatch form? As a GLA 35 crossover? Or perhaps with the bodywork of this prettier CLA model, which comes as either a four-door 'Coupe' or a 'Shooting Brake' estate? In terms of pavement presence, the CLA models win hands-down. Which is significant because the AMG 35 package needs a unique selling point to justify ambitious pricing which puts it up against significantly more powerful hot hatches and SUVs. That '35' package was upgraded in 2022 with the addition of the brand's mild hybrid tech, but otherwise not too much has changed on this CLA 35 4MATIC since it first arrived in 2019, the more accessible stablemate to the wild CLA 45 4MATIC+ model. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 243

You'd hope this CLA 35 would drive pretty much like the A 35 hot hatch model and by and large, it does. The four cylinder 2.0-litre engine borrowed from the A 35 has the same performance stats with this updated CLA 35 model - 302bhp and 400Nm of torque. This has now been embellished with a 48V mild hybrid module which adds 13bhp to the powertrain at low revs and also energises the start stop system. The 62mph from rest sprint takes 4.9s en route to 155mph. And there's a 4MATIC 4WD system that allows up to 50% of torque to be sent to the rear axle. But you don't get the torque vectoring rear differential of the faster CLA 45, or that car's wild 'drift mode'. There's an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G 8-speed paddle shift auto transmission and buyers get much the same 'Dynamic Select' driving modes system as you'd find the AMG GT sports car, with 'comfort', 'sport', 'sport+' and 'individual' settings. There's quick, precise steering. And with top 'Premium Plus' trim you get adaptive damping, though you won't want to engage the stiffer 'sport+' mode very often because it makes the already rather over-firm ride firmer still. There's quite a bit of road noise, but what might sell you this car to you is its fruity exhaust note complete with parps and crackles. Through the turns, there's lots of grip but not much of a feeling of hot hatch-style engagement.

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