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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $30,818–$41,032 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.3/10, while Reliability at 6.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.1/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.3/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $30,818–$41,032, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Mercedes-Benz CLA sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.0/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA ranks #896 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 32% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $30,818 starting price is about 11% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Across the CLA model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $41,766 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $41,766 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $40,550 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $39,333 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $38,117 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $36,900 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $35,684 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $34,467 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $33,251 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $32,034 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $30,818 | |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $29,601 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA's reliability 6.1/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #896 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 32% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA starts at $30,818 and ranges up to $41,032 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.