9 Sept 12th-Sept 18th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) HATS OFF TO MB: 2024 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 250 2024 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 250 Mercedes-Benz has once Mercedes-Benz has once again outdone itself with the again outdone itself with the 2024 CLA 250, a compact 2024 CLA 250, a compact luxury car that’s got more luxury car that’s got more style than a runway model. style than a runway model. This year’s model flaunts This year’s model flaunts its coupe-inspired design its coupe-inspired design with sharp lines and a low, with sharp lines and a low, aggressive stance that aggressive stance that makes it look like it’s always makes it look like it’s always ready to pounce. Those LED ready to pounce. Those LED headlights? They’re not just headlights? They’re not just functional—they practically functional—they practically wink at you as you approach. wink at you as you approach. Pop the hood, and you’ll Pop the hood, and you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter find a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s four-cylinder engine that’s got enough pep to make got enough pep to make your morning commute feel your morning commute feel like a joyride while providing like a joyride while providing solid fuel economy at solid fuel economy at 25/35MPG. With a 7-speed 25/35MPG. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the dual-clutch transmission, the CLA 250 delivers a smooth, CLA 250 delivers a smooth, responsive drive that makes responsive drive that makes city streets and highways feel city streets and highways feel like your personal racetrack. like your personal racetrack. And with front-wheel drive And with front-wheel drive as standard and an optional as standard and an optional all-wheel drive, you’ll have all-wheel drive, you’ll have the confidence to tackle any the confidence to tackle any road condition—whether it’s road condition—whether it’s a sunny day or a surprise a sunny day or a surprise haboob. haboob. Inside, the CLA 250 Inside, the CLA 250 turns heads with its high- turns heads with its high- tech, luxurious cabin. The tech, luxurious cabin. The MBUX infotainment system MBUX infotainment system is so advanced, it might just is so advanced, it might just start predicting your coffee start predicting your coffee cravings. With its blend cravings. With its blend of sophistication, comfort, of sophistication, comfort, and cutting-edge tech, the and cutting-edge tech, the 2024 CLA 250 proves that 2024 CLA 250 proves that Mercedes-Benz isn’t just Mercedes-Benz isn’t just about luxury—they’ve got about luxury—they’ve got a sense of humor and flair a sense of humor and flair to match. The CLA starts at to match. The CLA starts at $45,200 but the whip I drove $45,200 but the whip I drove was $61,370 which seems was $61,370 which seems a bit steep but the value is a bit steep but the value is there. Hats off to Mercedes there. Hats off to Mercedes for delivering a car that’s as for delivering a car that’s as fun to drive as it is to look at! fun to drive as it is to look at! Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles: