The Mercedes CLA is a stylish 'four-door coupe' based on the A-Class hatchback It's more expensive than the five-door, but starts at a higher specification level There's a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines Enthusiasts will be attracted to the CLA 45 AMG high-performance model The CLA's direct rivals include the Audi A3 Saloon and Volkswagen CC The CLA takes inspiration from the larger, E-Class-based Mercedes CLS Performance is strong, even from the entry-level model The CLA manages to feel sporty while retaining the refinement Mercedes buyers expect Ride quality is good, but some cars are better at handling rough surfaces than the CLA The CLA can be specified with either a manual or automatic gearbox Mercedes' 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system is also an option