The Mercedes-Benz CLA, first introduced back in 2014, enters its fourth year with a minor facelift involving mainly trim features, and option updates. The latest Mercedes-Benz CLA is basically a scaled-down version of the large, handsome CLS “four-door coupe”. It’s Mercedes’ smallest sedan, and its sporty design has made it a big hit since its introduction. The new range comprises seven variants, and the model featured in today’s road test is the Mercedes-Benz CLA200 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic.

The new model is recognized by its new diamond radiator grille in black, and a new front bumper with silver, black or chrome trim strip. The rear bumper is optionally available with a panel incorporating a trim strip in chrome or black between the tailpipes. The tailpipe trim panels themselves are now integrated flush into the bumper, which adds visual width to the vehicle. The arc-shaped profile gives it a steeply raked front and rear screens, a low nose and tail, and it even has frameless windows, while it’s curved boot-lid and its rounded LED tail lamps are similar to those on the much more expensive CLS.

The press vehicle was fitted with sporty 14-spoke alloy wheels shod with very low profile 235/40R18 GoodYear run-flats, so no spare wheel is provided, but they say that in the unlikely event of getting a puncture, you can travel for about 80 kilometers on the flat at up to 80 km/h. However, the 18 inch low profile tyres do tend to magnify the stiffness of the ride.

The interior has been similarly upgraded. The instrument panel is upholstered as standard in ARTICO man-made leather, as are the beltlines and the exclusive finishing touch of red contrasting topstitching, while the panoramic sunroof and aluminium pedals add a sporty touch. The highlight here is a much slimmer-looking freestanding 20.3 cm media display with a new-style glass cover, an optional feature for the Audio 20 CD system. The new-style dials and red needles in the instrument cluster make it easier to read the instruments. Opinions however, are split on the freestanding LCD screen. Some like it as a crisp, modern, consumer electronics-inspired look that lowers the dash height, while others think it seems tacked on at the last minute. The touch screen also lets passengers control Mercedes' MBrace2 infotainment system, which runs cloud-based applications and provides on-the-go access to the internet. Mbrace2 comes with an application that lets smartphone-wielding owners lock or unlock the car from a distance and instantly find it in a parking lot. Also standard is Bluetooth connectivity that enables the driver to make hands-free phone calls and stream music. The gauges sit at the ends of long tubes with angled openings, and the five silver air vents- one at each end, three in the centre- are now a Mercedes trademark. Direction indicators, daytime running lamps and position lights are in the form of multi-functional fibre-optic cables, which are also used for the "Coming Home" function. As all lights use LED technology, there is never a need to change a bulb over the entire service life of the vehicle.

In addition to seven airbags, the CLA features a radar-based Collision Prevention Assist system that can warn the driver of potential accidents and, when necessary, automatically apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate the severity of a crash. The car also comes with Attention Assist, which provides audible and visual warnings if it senses that the driver is drowsy, mode selection function DYNAMIC SELECT, whereby the vehicle characteristics can be adjusted at the touch of a button and Active Brake Assist.

Interior space is fair - front-seat passengers get comfortable well-bolstered seats that are most supportive even on long trips, while the driver gets a multi-function 4-spoke steering wheel, adjustable for both rake and reach to ensure his comfort. The rear bench will seat two averaged sized adults reasonably comfortably, but taller folk will find headroom a bit tight, which is the price you pay for that sleek silhouette. The boot, however, is far larger than it looks plus there are two storage bins between the seats, a square one sized for large drinks and a smaller tray with a power outlet.

Optional safety systems include; electric power steering, adaptive cruise control; lane-keeping assistance; blind-spot monitoring; parking sensors with a parking-assist feature, and reversing camera. Stop/start is standard but for those who find it annoying, it can be switched off.

TheMercedes-Benz CLA 200 7G-DCT automatic is powered by a new 1 595 cc turbo-charged 16 valve petrol engine developing 115 kw at 5 300 rpm and 250 Nm from 1 250 rpm and drives the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with the selector lever mounted on the steering column behind the steering wheel where the wiper stalk used to be, and it takes a while to get used to as you sometimes put the lever in neutral while trying to use the flick-wipe. And, the gear change paddles are also mounted behind the steering wheel.

Driving the new Mercedes CLA 200 is quite a pleasure.The engine sounds good and an enthusiastic driver would probably want to keep the transmission in either sport or manual mode and change gears via the paddles, as the motor is happy to rev right up to its 6 200 rpm red line before moving up a gear. In performance tests, after a slight hesitation on pull off as the turbo spools up, it did the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds after three gear changes, and Mercedes claim a top speed of 230 km/h, with average fuel consumption given as 5.5 litres per 100 km’s. However, the trip recorder recorded an average 8.5 litres.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA200, despite its seemingly modest capacity, hardly lacks for power, while its neutral driving feel masks its front-wheel-drive roots. On the freeways driving at the 120 km/h limit, the motor spins at just 2 200 rpm in 7th gear, and if you need to overtake, floor the accelerator and the box finds the right gear to get you safely by. When the road starts to twist, the CLA200 corners flat with virtually no body-lean, while the compliant suspension makes for a comfortable ride. Steering effort seems to tighten up as speed increases but like all electric-steering, feedback is minimal.Numbness remains. We'd give the dynamic nod to the all-wheel-drive version, which is better equipped to put down the engine's power.

The recommended retail selling price for the Mercedes-Benz CLA200 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic is R509 712, which excludes the options that were fitted to the press vehicle, but includes Mercedes six year / 100 000 km’s maintenance plan.