CLA-Klasse
Introduced in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Klasse brought the four-door coupe concept into the brand’s compact-car range. Its low roofline, frameless doors and separate trunk gave it a more expressive character than a conventional compact sedan, while its engineering remained closely related to Mercedes-Benz’s wider compact-car family. The first series was also offered as a CLA Shooting Brake, combining coupe-like proportions with five-door practicality and a larger rear opening. Mercedes-Benz renewed the model in 2019 with smoother styling, a more digital cabin and the MBUX infotainment system. The series launched in 2025 marks another step, using a design and technology strategy developed around electrification and the MMA platform. The versions represented here span the coupe introduced in 2013 and the model listed for 2025.
Variants by year
2025
2019
2015
2013
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Klasse brought the four-door coupe concept into the brand’s compact-car range. Its low roofline, frameless doors and separate trunk gave it a more expressive character than a conventional compact sedan, while its engineering remained closely related to Mercedes-Benz’s wider compact-car family. The first series was also offered as a CLA Shooting Brake, combining coupe-like proportions with five-door practicality and a larger rear opening. Mercedes-Benz renewed the model in 2019 with smoother styling, a more digital cabin and the MBUX infotainment system. The series launched in 2025 marks another step, using a design and technology strategy developed around electrification and the MMA platform. The versions represented here span the coupe introduced in 2013 and the model listed for 2025.
History
The CLA made its public debut in January 2013, following the Concept Style Coupé. Mercedes-Benz presented it as a four-door coupe intended to create a new proposition within its compact range. Its positioning extended the idea of the CLS into a smaller and more accessible format, closely related to the A-Class family. The car quickly became identifiable through its highly aerodynamic profile, diamond grille and sculpted side surfaces. The performance-focused CLA 45 AMG joined the range during the first production period, giving the compact coupe a significant high-output variant. In January 2015, the CLA Shooting Brake expanded the family with a five-door body. Its extended roof, large tailgate and more useful rear section clearly separated it from the coupe, while frameless doors and a tapering roofline preserved the design theme. Mercedes-Benz introduced a new coupe generation in 2019, followed by the second Shooting Brake later that year. This phase brought the “Sharknose” front treatment, widescreen instrumentation and the MBUX interface. In March 2025, the all-new CLA opened a new model family based on the MMA platform, with stronger emphasis on efficiency, connected services and electrified powertrains.
Generations
The first generation belongs to the 117 series. The coupe, commonly identified by its internal C117 code, appeared in 2013. Its key traits include a low three-box body, frameless doors, a diamond grille and strongly defined side lines. The Shooting Brake, associated with the X117 code, arrived in 2015. It retained the coupe’s front-end theme but used a longer roof, a tailgate and a five-door body. Within the scope represented here, these variants mainly cover the 2013–2019 period. The next generation was introduced in 2019. The C118 coupe adopted tighter proportions, smoother surfaces and an interior centred on digital displays. The X118 Shooting Brake used the same basic design while adding a more practical rear body. MBUX and expanded driver-assistance technology became important identifiers of this phase. The renewal launched in 2025 represents another major step for the CLA family. Mercedes-Benz technical documents identify the EQ-technology sedan as series C174. Its MMA architecture is designed to accommodate electric drivetrains as well as mild-hybrid solutions, depending on market and specification.
Key differences
The clearest distinction is body style. The CLA Coupe has a lower roofline, a steeply angled rear window and a separate trunk. The Shooting Brake keeps the coupe’s general theme but adds rear doors, a longer roof and a tailgate. This makes access to the rear load area more practical without giving the car the upright proportions of a conventional estate. The change from the 117 to the 118 generation is more than a facelift: the second series introduced softer exterior surfacing, a digital dashboard and MBUX. Engines, transmissions, equipment and model names nevertheless vary by year and market. AMG versions can usually be separated by their bumpers, wheels, exhaust outlets and chassis details, although exterior styling alone does not always identify the exact power level. The 2025 model is set apart by its new MMA foundation and a stronger focus on electrification-related technology. Exact specifications should therefore be checked against the vehicle’s market, production year and identification plate.
Photo recognition
To identify a first-generation CLA, start with the profile and front end. The C117 has a long hood, a relatively upright diamond grille, stretched headlamps and three visible character lines along the side. Its frameless doors are another useful clue. The X117 Shooting Brake can be recognised by its extended roof, third side window and tailgate, whereas the coupe has a separate trunk lid. The C118 uses a lower, rounder front treatment, slimmer lamps and a very smooth rear with horizontally oriented tail lights. Inside, two displays positioned beneath a shared glass surface and the MBUX interface point toward the 2019 generation. The X118 Shooting Brake retains that dashboard but adds a longer roof and a wider rear opening. AMG badges, wheels and exhaust outlets can help identify a performance version, although these items may be changed or replicated. The most reliable confirmation remains the manufacturer’s identification data, production information and market-specific documentation.
Important versions
Among the notable variants, the CLA 250 4MATIC represents the first generation’s combination of performance and all-wheel-drive traction. The CLA 45 AMG, later renamed Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC under the revised nomenclature, is the most distinctive high-performance derivative of the 117 series. The CLA Shooting Brake is another important version: launched in 2015, it added genuine practical value through its tailgate and more accessible rear cargo area. During the 2019 generation, the CLA 35 and CLA 45 AMG strengthened the performance range, while the CLA 250 e introduced a plug-in hybrid option in selected markets. The 2025 model changes direction with versions developed around electrification and the MMA platform. Names, outputs and availability can differ between countries, so these should be treated as representative range markers rather than a universal specification list.
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Klasse produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2013 - 2025.
- How many Mercedes-Benz CLA-Klasse examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 3 published scans from 3 members, with the latest photo added in July 2026.