Motortrend: BMW 320i vs. Buick Regal vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA250 vs. Volkswagen CC

[Zafiro]

The initial idea suggested to yours truly was to line up the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 against the Volkswagen CC R-Line, but the proposal was compelling for all of two minutes. Apart from vaguely sharing body shapes and having turbocharged engines with similar outputs, the bigger, $35K, entry-level luxury question asked was, “Would anybody care?”

Read more: motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1403_entry_level_luxury_sedan_comparison/#ixzz2veYPXxoj

 

[DexterMorgan]

The BMW had no reason to be in this comparison. They may just as well have included a 2014 C250. It would fit within the price parameters of the article and would offer a more apples-to-apples comparo.

 

[Zafiro]

To American members. Is a Buick really this good?

 

[mini_cooper4]

The BMW had no reason to be in this comparison. They may just as well have included a 2014 C250. It would fit within the price parameters of the article and would offer a more apples-to-apples comparo.

No, it's about Entry Level Luxury Sedans and MB's is the CLA just like the 3-Series is BMW's entry level sedan.

PS: The C-Class costs more than any of the cars included in this comparison. It's closer to a 5-Series in price.

@Just_me
The Insignia is a piece of shit. The feel and accuracy of the steering is far worse than my PS3 controller.

 

[Merc1]

To American members. Is a Buick really this good?

No, it is just a case of the CLA being just that bad relatively speaking. The ride is too rough and loud like I said months ago after being in one.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

The MBUSA CLA 250 comes with the sports suspension from the AMG SPORT in Europe as standard, which may not be so comfortable..

www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/cla-class/_c117/facts_/equipment_accessories/standard_equipment.0002.html

 

[DexterMorgan]

No, it's about Entry Level Luxury Sedans and MB's is the CLA just like the 3-Series is BMW's entry level sedan.

PS: The C-Class costs more than any of the cars included in this comparison. It's closer to a 5-Series in price.

@Just_me
The Insignia is a piece of shit. The feel and accuracy of the steering is far worse than my PS3 controller.

Where do you find a C250 that's priced like a 5-series?? A decently equipped C250 will be priced between $ 36K-$38K making it quite relevant on price when going against BMW's cheapest offering. But I digress. I didn't say the C250 should have been included here. I said they may just as well have included it since the BMW does not belong in this comparison. Just because BMW doesn't offer a car in this segment in the US doesn't mean you go pick the next cheapest offering they've got.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Where do you find a C250 that's priced like a 5-series?? A decently equipped C250 will be priced between $ 36K-$38K making it quite relevant on price when going against BMW's cheapest offering. But I digress. I didn't say the C250 should have been included here. I said they may just as well have included it since the BMW does not belong in this comparison. Just because BMW doesn't offer a car in this segment in the US doesn't mean you go pick the next cheapest offering they've got.

Both the Insignia and Passat CC are in the 3-Series Segment. The CLA is a class below but close in price. By that logic... the only car that doesn't fit here is the CLA.

PS: Ahh I forgot that your US 2014 C-Class is still the old C-Class which is cheaper. I was talking about the real 2014 C-Class - the W205... which is quite expensive.

PS2: My vote goes to the CC! I love this car!

 

[deity]

No, it's about Entry Level Luxury Sedans and MB's is the CLA just like the 3-Series is BMW's entry level sedan.

It still doesn't make sense. The 3er and the CLA are just not in the same class, period. It's just like comparing a 2 series with a 12C because they are both 'entry level coupes' for their respective brands.

 

[Cashmere]

This is from the article:

Price as tested

CLA 250 $ 36 545
VW PASSAT CC $ 34 990
BMW 320i $ 34 975
BUICK Regal T $ 34 685

If I were spending my hard earned money on a choice between these 4, I'd probably go for the 320i as well.

 

[KiwiRob]

To American members. Is a Buick really this good?

If you've ever driven an Opel Insignia you'll know the answer. But they don't get in the US is a version of the Opel Insignia OPC which I think is a great car.

 

[mini_cooper4]

It still doesn't make sense. The 3er and the CLA are just not in the same class, period. It's just like comparing a 2 series with a 12C because they are both 'entry level coupes' for their respective brands.

Sorry but you seem to not get it. What I'm saying is that the 3er and CLA are NOT in the same class but it works in this test called Entry Level Luxury Sedans since that's what they are... obviously they are NOT trying to compare cars from the same segment only... because if that was the case the CLA should NOT be included.

 

[deity]

Sorry but you seem to not get it. What I'm saying is that the 3er and CLA are NOT in the same class but it works in this test called Entry Level Luxury Sedans since that's what they are... obviously they are NOT trying to compare cars from the same segment only... because if that was the case the CLA should NOT be included.

And what I'm trying to say that the 12C and the 2er are NOT in the same class but if the test was called Entry Level Coupes it would work since that's what they both are (albeit taken to an extreme example)....just because there is justification doesn't mean it makes sense/should be done.

 

[mini_cooper4]

And what I'm trying to say that the 12C and the 2er are NOT in the same class but if the test was called Entry Level Coupes it would work since that's what they both are (albeit taken to an extreme example)....just because there is justification doesn't mean it makes sense/should be done.

So check their price tags then. The CLA is priced similarly to the rest and... actually the most expensive in this test.
People do cross shop all of the above mentioned cars... yet no one cross shops the 12C and 2er.
But really do I even have to mention all that....

PS: The review is just fine like it is even tho my favorite car didn't win either. I feel you guys

 

[deity]

So check their price tags then. The CLA is priced similarly to the rest and... actually the most expensive in this test.
People do cross shop all of the above mentioned cars... yet no one cross shops the 12C and 2er.
But really do I even have to mention all that....

PS: The review is just fine like it is even tho my favorite car didn't win either. I feel you guys

I'm not trying to endorse the fact that a comparo between a 2er and a 12C makes sense. I'm trying to use it as a means to highlight why this comparo also doesn't work. Granted, I made hyperbole of the situation to get the message across. My point was that different marques have different entry-level sedans. Merc has the CLA, but Jaguar has the XF (or XE soon). They are both, therefore, entry level luxury sedans (for their respective marque!), but they don't compete against one another.

It's similar how the S-Class is being compared to the Ghost. However, Mercedes offers no direct competitor to the Ghost right now. The closest thing they can compare to is the S from Mercedes and the Ghost from RR. On the other hand, the C was the closest thing they could have compared to the 3, not the CLA.

The equivalent Merc competitor is a C-Class. This has always been true, and always will be. The pricing of the CLA is another issue, but clearly the CLA isn't held to the same standard as that of a class above. It wasn't conceived to be on the same level, and as a result, makes for a poor comparison.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

What a poor showing by the CLA. Regardless of whether or not it competes directly with all of these cars, MB needs to sort out the suspension on a MY update as the criticism has been far too universal.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I'm not trying to endorse the fact that a comparo between a 2er and a 12C makes sense. I'm trying to use it as a means to highlight why this comparo also doesn't work. Granted, I made hyperbole of the situation to get the message across. My point was that different marques have different entry-level sedans. Merc has the CLA, but Jaguar has the XF (or XE soon). They are both, therefore, entry level luxury sedans (for their respective marque!), but they don't compete against one another.

It's similar how the S-Class is being compared to the Ghost. However, Mercedes offers no direct competitor to the Ghost right now. The closest thing they can compare to is the S from Mercedes and the Ghost from RR. On the other hand, the C was the closest thing they could have compared to the 3, not the CLA.

The equivalent Merc competitor is a C-Class. This has always been true, and always will be. The pricing of the CLA is another issue, but clearly the CLA isn't held to the same standard as that of a class above. It wasn't conceived to be on the same level, and as a result, results in a poor comparison.

Yeah I would have preferred the C-Class too but I can understand why they chose the CLA since it's newer and the C is being replaced.
You do have a point but I think I also have a point.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

The 320i is a great car. I LOVE the gas efficiency!