The compact/subcompact members of their respective households, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 2021 BMW 2 Collection provide the anticipated ranges of high quality and a wide range of engines, together with high-performance variants. Let’s examine them.
Above common: Non-compulsory all-wheel drive; MBUX infotainment system; two AMG variants.
Under common: Tight rear seat; front-wheel drive in base trim; value rises shortly with choices; lane-keeping help will be intrusive.
Consensus: With the identical form however smaller than its CLS-Class cousin, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a subcompact luxurious sedan with sporty coupe aspirations. It provides a base turbocharged 4-cylinder and a few AMG upgrades that add all-wheel drive normal and tune the engine for extra energy. Predictably, it’s trendy and loaded with know-how. However the coupe form cuts into rear-seat area, and as with every Mercedes, the choices trigger the value to rise considerably.
2021 BMW 2 Collection
Beginning value: $36,695
Above common: Nice driving manners; efficiency M2 variant; selection of physique types together with, coupe, convertible, and 4-door Gran Coupe; non-obligatory all-wheel drive.
Under common: Cramped rear seat; costly on the excessive finish; no Android Auto in coupe or convertible.
Consensus: With coupe, convertible, and 4-door Gran Coupe physique types, the 2021 BMW
XE:BMW
2 Collection is a flexible little performer with the excellent driving manners and efficiency anticipated from the German automaker. The rear seat is tight, nonetheless, and the highest M2 variants can get fairly expensive.
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CLA vs. 2 Collection: Nimble and enjoyable
Mercedes-Benz CLA
With the “4-door coupe” roofline of the bigger CLS-Class, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small sporty sedan propelled by a 221-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine hooked as much as both front-wheel or non-obligatory all-wheel drive. As is predicted from Mercedes, the CLA rides comfortably but additionally has good energy. Paddle shifters permit handbook management of the 7-speed computerized transmission.
Mercedes’ in-house tuner AMG has breathed upon that turbocharged 4-cylinder for 2 totally different variants with significantly extra energy, however keep in mind that the CLA 45 (the extra highly effective of the 2 with 382 horsepower) begins almost $20,000 greater than the bottom CLA 250. However the AMG fashions additionally embrace sport-tuned suspensions and normal all-wheel drive.
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The inside of the CLA is handsomely geared up and options snug seats, ample entrance headroom, and glorious outward visibility. Because of the sloped roofline, nonetheless, backseat area is at a premium, with the rear finest suited to 2 adults fairly than three.
Normal options embrace the superb Mercedes-Benz Person Expertise (MBUX) infotainment system, two 7-inch screens for infotainment, and plenty of normal security options. AMG variants can be found with some sporty choices that embrace one thing known as Monitor Tempo, which permits one’s smartphone to document observe instances and different information.
BMW 2 Collection
With BMW’s odd-numbered fashions indicating sedans versus their even-numbered coupes, the 2021 BMW 2 Collection is a little bit of an outlier, because it additionally provides a 4-door variant referred to as the Gran Coupe. This makes for fairly a little bit of selection, with a 2 Collection coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe.
There’s a selection of engines starting from a turbocharged 4-cylinder churning out 248 hp (228 within the Gran Coupe) as much as two totally different turbocharged 6-cylinders within the high-performance M fashions.
Even the bottom 2 Collection is fantastic to drive, with nice steering, a superb 8-speed computerized or non-obligatory 6-speed handbook transmission, and a good suspension that makes it a pleasure to throw into curves. The usual setup is rear-wheel drive, though the Gran Coupe is front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an possibility for all fashions besides the highest M Competitors, which is simply accessible as a rear-wheel-drive coupe.
Inside, the 2021 BMW 2 Collection is nicely constructed, fabricated from high-quality supplies. As BMW sometimes retains the give attention to the motive force, the entrance seats are snug and supportive, with simulated leather-based upholstery and loads of energy adjustment. As acknowledged above, the rear seats are finest left for young children, whether or not within the coupe or the 4-door Gran Coupe.
Normal options embrace run-flat tires, a split-folding rear seat, computerized local weather management, SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, and Apple
AAPL
CarPlay. Notice that Android Auto integration is proscribed to the Gran Coupe mannequin.
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The convertible fashions get an influence cloth high and a wind deflector, and the M fashions have the upper tune engine, variable-ratio steering, 18-inch wheels, M sport brakes, and an adaptive suspension.
The highest M2 Competitors Coupe is way more targeted, with a 405-hp engine, a dual-clutch 8-speed transmission, and an non-obligatory driver’s bundle. Non-compulsory extras embrace a Dakota leather-based bundle, navigation, adaptive cruise management, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
Similarities
Tight rear seat; costly; accessible high-performance variants; gas economic system; resale worth.
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA benefits
Wider Android Auto compatibility; cheaper on the high finish; elegant inside.
2021 BMW 2 Collection benefits
Non-compulsory convertible and coupe physique types; rear-wheel drive; 6-cylinder engines; extra enjoyable to drive.
Which one is correct for me?
A 4-door subcompact, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA has the type and high-quality supplies anticipated of a Mercedes. The journey is snug and composed, with a midrange AMG mannequin or the all-wheel-drive CLA 45 for these able to assault the curves.
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We’re impressed with the flexibility of the 2021 BMW 2 Collection, supplied as both a coupe or convertible in addition to the 4-door Gran Coupe. Dealing with and engine efficiency are top-notch as anticipated, with the high-performance M variants in a category by themselves.
Evaluate the specs
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | 2021 BMW 2 Collection | |
Fashionable Powertrains | ||
Engine | 2.0-liter turbo I4 | 2.0-liter turbo I4 |
Horsepower | 221 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 248 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm |
Transmission | 7-spd computerized | 8-spd computerized |
Gasoline Financial system | 28 mpg (25 metropolis/35 hwy) | 28 mpg (25 metropolis/32 hwy) |
Additionally Obtainable | 2.0-liter turbo I4; AWD | 3.0-liter turbo I6; 6-spd handbook; AWD |
Specs | ||
Fundamental guarantee | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Powertrain Guarantee | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
NHTSA General Security Ranking | n/a | n/a |
Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
Wheelbase | 107.4 inches | 105.9 inches |
General Size | 184.6 inches | 174.7 inches |
Width | 72.0 inches | 69.8 inches |
Top | 56.3 inches | 55.8 inches |
Turning Diameter | 36.1 toes | 35.8 toes |
Headroom, Entrance | 38.5 inches | 40.1 inches |
Headroom, Rear | 35.7 inches | 36.5 inches |
Legroom, Entrance | 41.8 inches | 41.4 inches |
Legroom, Rear | 33.9 inches | 33.0 inches |
Shoulder Room, Entrance | 55.1 inches | 54.4 inches |
Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.0 inches | 53.4 inches |
EPA Passenger Quantity | 89.0 cubic toes | 90.0 cubic toes |
EPA Cargo Quantity | 13.1 cubic toes | 13.8 cubic toes |
This story initially ran on KBB.com.