Motor Trend went and compared the cost of the A3 and the CLA, but not just straight up base costs. They speced each with popular features to see what would happen...
) but you can't argue that this low end luxury segment is going to get VERY interesting and FAST...
Thats a good chunk of gear included. Now CLA...A3 Premium model equipped with the 220-hp, 258-lb-ft 2.0-liter turbo-four and six-speed automatic. The 2.0 TFSI Premium model is the lowest trim you can get with Quattro all-wheel drive, and comes standard with leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, integrated trunk spoiler, and LED daytime running lights. Only red and black exterior paint colors are free, while the rest of the metallic colors command an extra $550. Adding the MMI navigation package costs $1900 (also requires the $350 iPod integration), and because we like warm buns, we threw in the $500 Cold Weather package including heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield washer nozzles. That brings the total of our A3 Premium to $36,545.
Say what you want about subjective metrics like styling or feel, the A3 sedan is offering a better value. Now I don't expect many to agree with me ( this is CLA forum after allA comparably equipped CLA, with a 208-hp 2.0-liter I-4 and seven-speed automatic, came to $39,325. Because all-wheel drive isn't yet available for the CLA250, that price is for a front-drive model. While the Audi A3 comes standard with leather interior, on the CLA it's available through the $1500 interior package that adds perforated leather seats and MB-Tex dash and door trim. A panoramic sunroof was thrown in for $1480, while bi-xenon headlights and taillights cost an extra $850. Standard features include HD radio, Bluetooth, sport front seats, and ambient lighting, but we checked boxes for two of what Mercedes expects will be the most popular option groups -- Premium ($2300) and Multimedia Package ($2370) -- which provided satellite radio, heated front seats (the only way to get the option with leather is through the Premium group), dual-zone climate control, and a 7-inch high-resolution display with the latest version of COMAND and navigation with 3D maps.