The Mercedes-AMG portfolio has gradually expanded into a comprehensive catalog in recent years, as the German brand pushes it to become an individual sub-brand with a unique and emotive individual identity that’s separate from the mainline company. Many argue that this decision has diluted the exclusivity of the brand, but ultimately it has led to improved growth and brand familiarity, even when confronted with global recessions and a push for electrification.
- Base Trim Engine
-
2L AMG I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-speed auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
302 HP @5800 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
22/29/25 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Mercedes-Benz
- Model
-
AMG CLA 35
AMG represents the pinnacle of the brand’s performance, with the 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 being the entry point to its division. The compact four-door coupe currently sells for less than $60,000, making it a bit more expensive option when compared to its rivals, but when analyzed as an individual product, it really is a tough car to argue against.
What the CLA 35 Offers For $56,600
Mercedes-AMG currently prices the 2026 CLA 35 at $56,600 before optional extras. As standard, this model features standard dual-zone climate control, heated front electrically adjustable seats, a high-resolution widescreen display cluster paired with a central infotainment screen, operating on the MBUX system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
You also get a premium audio system, ambient interior lighting, a wireless charging pad, and multiple USB ports for charging and data transfer. Additional options include a hands-free access power trunk, remote keyless start with push-button ignition and keyless entry.
Standard specifications are comprehensive, but if you want a fully kitted experience, the AMG CLA 35 can admittedly evolve into a very expensive compact performance sedan. Manufaktur Alpine Gray, Polar White, and Night Black are the only standard color options. Metallic paints cost $750, but you’ll have to pay $1,750 if you want the Manufaktur metallic shades. Manufaktur Mountain Gray Mango is the most expensive paint option, costing $3,250.
If you want to darken the exterior appearance, the $750 Night Package adds jet-black accents to the front air-dam splitter edge, air-intake fins, side mirror and side-window surrounds, and the side-sill inserts, joined by black chrome tailpipes. The $1,150 Night Package Plus blacks out the grille bars and exterior badges.
For $1,550, you can specify the AMG aero package, which adds a more pronounced front splitter, rear spoiler, and deeper diffusers. Optional wheels include the 19-inch AMG twin five-spoke for $800, which increases to $1,100 if you opt for the matte black paint.
For the interior, AMG offers a plethora of options and packages, the most noteworthy of which are the $2,800 performance seats. Pricing for this increases to $3,250 if you want ventilation.
AMG’s Punchy Four-Pot
The star of the 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35’s configuration is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to the brand’s all-wheel drive 4Matic system via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The result is a claimed 4.6-second 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time with a limited 155 MPH top speed. Tests by MotorWeek reveal that the compact sedan covers a quarter mile in 13.1 seconds at 104 MPH.
No matter the gear or the speed, the CLA 35 AMG has virtually zero turbo lag and with its 6,500 RPM redline, it’s so smooth, quick, and responsive in its power delivery that one can almost mistaken it for a naturally-aspirated mill. I’m far from the biggest fan of four-cylinder engines, but the M139 is an absolute peach of a motor.
– Chris Chin for TopSpeed
Official Mercedes-Benz CLA Pricing, Range Aimed Squarely At Tesla Model 3
With impressive range and charging speed, Mercedes is taking its shot at one of Tesla’s best sellers.
How The Suspension Keeps Things Sharp
The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 features a standard AMG Sport Suspension with a four-wheel independent design, while an optional ride control adaptive damping system is available for enhanced performance and comfort. The standard setup is the AMG Sport Suspension, which provides a firm and controlled ride designed for agile handling and minimal body lean during cornering. This consists of a front MacPherson strut and rear multilink configuration. The optional ride control automatically adapts the damping forces at each wheel in milliseconds according to the driving situation and road conditions.
Consumption Estimates Aren’t Too Poor
Where fuel consumption is concerned, the AMG CLA 35 consumes 23/22/29 MPG on the EPA’s city/highway/combined cycle, while covering 338 miles on a single 13.5-gallon gas tank. You can expect to spend $3,750 more on fuel over the course of five years, compared to the average new vehicle sold in the U.S. $2,350 gets you fuel for the year, while $3.89 will cover you for 25 miles. A full tank of gas will cost around $53.
Every Driver Has A Match—Here’s The Right Mercedes-AMG For You
The most powerful AMG today packs a 4.0-liter hybrid V8, producing over 800 horsepower and over 1,000 pound-feet of torque.
Reasonably Impressive Review Scores
In terms of market reception, the Mercedes-Benz CLA range scores fairly adequately. iSeeCars awards the entire model line a 7.9/10 overall score, which includes 7.7/10 for reliability and 8.0/10 for retained value. The publication indicates that the model will cover an average lifespan of 13.4 years and 130,339 miles, with a 9.3 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles. Where value retention is concerned, you can expect it to lose $20,910 or 47.1 percent of its value within the first five years and 60,000 miles, which is on par with the rest of the luxury subcompact sedan segment.
Where ownership costs are concerned, Edmunds indicates that a CLA 35 will cost you $78,660 over five years, with key costs including $7,776 on maintenance, $3,183 on repairs, $25,019 on depreciation, and $16,055 on fuel. According to RepairPal, you can expect to spend around $908 to keep the CLA 35 on the road every year. Some noteworthy repair costs include $2,908 on the exhaust manifold and $253 for a stabilizer link replacement.
How Owners Feel About The CLA
When it comes to owner experiences, the entire CLA range doesn’t benefit from the best reputation, according to reviews submitted to Edmunds by existing and previous owners. The model sits with a 3.7/5 average score, consisting of 23 reviews. Key strengths include its visual presence, handling and steering characteristics, and technological features, but it loses some respect for offering poor manufacturing quality and reliability, an inconsistent transmission, and expensive maintenance and parts.
J.D. Power issues the CLA range with an 83/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 83/100 for quality and reliability, 93/100 for the driving experience, 75/100 for resale, and 79/100 for the dealership experience. AMG’s M139 prioritizes a compact four-cylinder layout with a single turbocharger mounted in the Vee formation to improve throttle response and reduce lag.
Key Design Elements Of The M139
The cylinder head uses high-strength aluminum to lower construction weight and improve heat management, while forged pistons and crankshaft handle high RPM loads and torque demands. AMG places the turbocharger within the Vee to shorten exhaust paths and boost spool rates, pairing it with an air-to-water intercooler that lowers intake temperatures for a denser charge and stronger combustion.
AMG engineers also decided to machine intake runners and port shapes to optimize air flow and refine combustion stability. Precision direct injection controls fuel delivery for both power and efficiency, while a robust cooling system that includes enlarged radiators and oil coolers sustains hard driving and track use. Brake-specific fuel delivery and lightweight valvetrain parts help the M139 achieve one of the highest specific outputs in its class. AMG tunes every element with performance bias from the spring rates to the heat shielding and mounts, with every surface and material serving the goal of high output, fast revs, and lasting reliability under racing-level stress.
How The 2026 CLA Switches Things Up
The all-new generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLA represents a significant step in the German brand’s electric transformation, which hasn’t been experiencing too much success since it launched a few years ago. The new compact sedan draws inspiration from the Vision EQXX concept car, which prioritizes aerodynamics to optimize efficiency.
The new arrival introduces new benchmarks for range, charging speeds, and energy efficiency without compromising comfort and intelligence features. The new CLA adopts Mercedes-Benz’s new signature Sensual Purity design philosophy, which blends a sporty four-door GT style with a sleek and sculptural aesthetic. The advanced technology and design aim to appeal to the next generation of drivers, while pushing the boundaries of electric mobility and intelligent software integration. The CLA launches a new generation catalog of fully electric and high-tech hybrid models from Mercedes-Benz.
Sources: Edmunds, iSeeCars, J.D. Power, and the EPA