Poll Baby Benz Family Battle (GLA vs CLA vs A-class)

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[LaArtist]

Splendid line up of entery models, they all look great.
Especially the A and the GLA.

I do not like SUVs, and i think the CLA looks cramped in its design.

So ile take the A class.. AMG one please.

In reality i wouldn't take any of them, i do not like small car

 

[EnI]

I would go for GLA, since this new face fits it best. So do the swooshy character lines. Since it's a bulky little SUV / crossover.

A-class appears too nose heavy, while CLA looks plain ugly to me - nothing looks well on that car: the nose, the lines, the rear. It's a pain to look at. Seen some IRL, and I don't like them at all.

Not a fan of the new Benz design direction in general. It's too vulgar & bullish for MB. Where's the elegance??? Not to mention LCI E-class daytime driving lights graphics - especially when lit ... SOOOOO tacky. WTH?

Definitely the era of ugly Benzes has started. I hope it's finished soon. But I'm afraid it will last at least 15 years ...

 

[-NeObLaZtEr-]

^you mean splendid different names for the same thing...

I know it would cost something to differentiate them all a little more, but they should've done it. There is an argument for keeping them similar too: I think the audience for these models wouldn't really care that they all share a large number of parts - and MB might've thought about that during the development.

 

[PHYBENZ]

CLA For me. I like the frameless doors, and the fact that it's a sedan. The GLA is a close second though. Interior is my only concern on these cars. Until I get to sit and touch one I am reserving my opinion because I fear the plastics being cheap...

 

[7saen]

I would go for GLA, since this new face fits it best. So do the swooshy character lines. Since it's a bulky little SUV / crossover.

A-class appears too nose heavy, while CLA looks plain ugly to me - nothing looks well on that car: the nose, the lines, the rear. It's a pain to look at. Seen some IRL, and I don't like them at all.

Not a fan of the new Benz design direction in general. It's too vulgar & bullish for MB. Where's the elegance??? Not to mention LCI E-class daytime driving lights graphics - especially when lit ... SOOOOO tacky. WTH?

Definitely the era of ugly Benzes has started. I hope it's finished soon. But I'm afraid it will last at least 15 years ...

I agree with most of what you say, but the first models that adapt a new form language are always a little unbalanced or nervous looking. the A and the CLA are not as well executed as the S class, although they -more or less- share the same form language. on the S-class it's much more mature and well balanced and that's a timeline issue, in addition to it being a technical package issue. Front wheel driven cars cannot compete with rear wheel driven cars' proportions. Can't be done. And while the S-class benenfits from a very nice package, the CLA, for instance was violently forces to be what it can't be: a baby CLS.
The lights design department at MB must up their game. They're far behind both BMW and Audi. it looks they joined the party too late and had to come up with a new style as quick as possible. that never works out.
In any case, I'd give them some time to get the details right. The language might be too floral and full of flowing lines and melting volumes that indicate more K-factor than German solidity, but it's a matter of time until they get it right. It's an exciting time at Mercedes, because nervousity might not pragmatically give you the best designs, but they create characters and in some cases, timeless pieces (>BMW's 2000s era)

The GLA gets my vote, because it's most iconic in it's class. It doesen't try to be what it can't be. Instead it presents itself in a truly sporty silhouette. I do dislike some of the details, but all in all. it's the best in the bunch.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I really want to know why so many on this forum hate the CLA and of these how many have seen the car in the flesh? I'm really looking forward to seeing it in person for the first time in October. It looks absolutely horrendous in some photos and videos but great in others.

 

[Merc1]

CLA looks great in person. CLA45 AMG for me or if just regular models, GLA250 with all the sportwears on it.

These (CLA, GLA) are going to sell like hotcakes here in the U.S.

M

 

[Sunny]

I really want to know why so many on this forum hate the CLA and of these how many have seen the car in the flesh? I'm really looking forward to seeing it in person for the first time in October. It looks absolutely horrendous in some photos and videos but great in others.

Trying to squish CLS's body shape into A class FWD chassis was a bad idea to begin with and the proportions show it. Sure you can take glamorous photos from angles like those facebook pics of fat chicks. But the thing is fundamentally wrong. It looks like Pug taking a dump. One push and it will do a face plant. Add to that, it brings nothing functional to the table - more cramped than normal A class makes it a pos(er).

As for this poll, if it is AMG, I will take A45, if not GLA.

 

[Merc1]

Sigh....Sunny....the CLA really isn't as bad if at all, like you're trying to make it.

You are right though it is a nod to the poser who wants a cheap Mercedes-Benz, but IMO it's a brilliant stroke because it is going to sell like nickel beer IMO.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

There's a lot of amateur videos on youtube where it looks great so I still hold hope.

 

[Sunny]

Sigh....Sunny....the CLA really isn't as bad if at all, like you're trying to make it.

You are right though it is a nod to the poser who wants a cheap Mercedes-Benz, but IMO it's a brilliant stroke because it is going to sell like nickel beer IMO.

M

I agree it will sell like crazy. Looks, I haven't seen one in metal. May be it will change my opinion when I do, but don't bet your farm on it. .

 

[PHYBENZ]

I've see the CLA on the outside at MB Swim Fashion show here in Miami. It actually looked great from the outside. I just want to feel the inside. Interiors are a big thing for me especially the quality and use of materials.

 

[Wolfgang]

CLA with roof carrier. Source www.mbusa.com

 

[mini_cooper4]

Trying to squish CLS's body shape into A class FWD chassis was a bad idea to begin with and the proportions show it. Sure you can take glamorous photos from angles like those facebook pics of fat chicks. But the thing is fundamentally wrong. It looks like Pug taking a dump. One push and it will do a face plant. Add to that, it brings nothing functional to the table - more cramped than normal A class makes it a pos(er).

As for this poll, if it is AMG, I will take A45, if not GLA.

Sunny, check the picture above my post. That angle and the way it's stretched make the whale look better. Was it posted on the book?... I'm not sure. So you haven't seen it irl? You are a happy person. I have to pay 400 bucks/hour since my encounter... and I still can't forget

 

[Sunny]

I have to pay 400 bucks/hour since my encounter... and I still can't forget

@Gianclaudio charges you $400/hr?

 

[Gianclaudio]

@Gianclaudio charges you $400/hr?

LOL wut?

About the poll, the GLA by the biggest margin ever. A class and CLA are horrible to my taste

 

[LaArtist]

The CLA looks decent in real life i must say.it does not photograph well.

But my statements above still stand.

 

[ateekt]

CLA gets my vote. I've never been a big fan of hatches or SUVs. I mostly prefer sedans! Specially when they're sporty.

 

[martinbo]

Ah, the infamous A-Team gets its own internal poll. For every one of the cars here, I'd choose a competitor. Given no such option, I'd take the A45 AMG because it's ostensibly a great drivers car.