Verdict
On numbers, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is the harder-hitting car: 421 hp/500 Nm and 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h plays against the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan’s 302 hp/400 Nm and 4.7 seconds. The CLA also gives 460 litres of boot space, 40 litres up. But the A-Class Sedan is RM184,000 cheaper and carries a four-year warranty against two years. Both use a 1,991 cc engine with wet dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive; wheelbase, fuel tank, airbags and road tax are identical. For Malaysia, that makes the A-Class the rational AMG sedan.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan if you want the lower RM343,888 entry point, four-year warranty and still-quick 4.7-second 0-100 km/h run.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if you will use the extra 119 hp, 100 Nm and 40 litres of boot space enough to justify RM527,888.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan RM343,888; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM527,888
- Power: 302 hp vs 421 hp
- Torque: 400 Nm vs 500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 4.7 s vs 4.1 s
- Size: 4,549 x 1,796 x 1,411 mm vs 4,701 x 1,999 x 1,413 mm
- Boot space and warranty: 420 L/4 years vs 460 L/2 years
AMG A-Class Sedan
- RM184,000 lower purchase price
- Four-year warranty
- 4.7-second 0-100 km/h with all-wheel drive
- 119 hp and 100 Nm down on the CLA
- Boot is 40 litres smaller
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 4.7 s vs 4.1 s
AMG CLA
- 421 hp and 500 Nm
- Quicker 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 460-litre boot
- RM184,000 dearer
- Two-year warranty
- 203 mm wider body
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM343,888✓ | RM527,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376 | RM376 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 14 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift 8G DCT | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds | 4.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,549 mm | 4,701 mm |
| Width | 1,796 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,411 mm | 1,413 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,570 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers | AMG Ride Control, Adaptive dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-Speaker 225W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used AMG A-Class Sedan & AMG CLA for sale
AMG A-Class Sedan vs AMG CLA FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is better for performance: 421 hp, 500 Nm and 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan is the smarter buy, because it is RM184,000 cheaper and has a four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan is RM343,888 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is RM527,888, so the CLA costs RM184,000 more.
Do they use the same drivetrain?
Both have a 1,991 cc engine, wet dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The difference is output: 302 hp/400 Nm in the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan versus 421 hp/500 Nm in the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA.
