2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG – Refined Aggression

Sedans, Sports Cars
May 19, 2025
Dan Gunay

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Continues to push the boundaries of the compacy luxury sedan segment, combining aggressive coupe-like styling with upgraded performance and technology. For the new model year, the CLA 45 receives refreshed exterior design elements, updated interior tech, and subtle enhancements to ride and handling. Powered by a handcrafter turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, it offers a nice blend of everyday usability and high-performance pedigree.

The 2025 CLA 45 AMG doesn’t try to hide its intentions – it’s a four-door coupe that wears its performance credentials with pride. While the basic CLA shape is already stylish and sporty, the 45 AMG takes things to the next level with a more aggressive stance, tighter proportions, and sharper detailing. The AMG-specific touches like the vertical grille, beefier air intakes, and model specific body kit give the CLA 45 a much more purposeful look than it’s non AMG siblings. It’s not just a styling exercise either, the car looks like it’s in a permament state of launch, as if it’s itching to be let loose.

Up front, the CLA 45 means business. The signature AMG grille with its vertical slats instantly separates itself from the rest of the CLA lineup, projecting a confident, motorsport-inspired face. The refreshed headlights for 2025 are sharper and more modern, with crisp LED signatures that give it a focused expression. Larger air intakes and a more sculpted front bumper not only enhance cooling, but also make the front end look lower and wider. It’s the kind of face that makes you move out of the fast lane, even before the car shows up in your rearview mirror.

From the side, the CLA 45 keeps its coupe-like silhouette intact but adds a dose of muscle. The flared fenders, subtle side skirts, and lower stance give it a planted, athletic look. AMG-specific wheels fill the arches nicely, with the upgraded brakes peeking through in the background. The profile is sleek and fluid, but those who know will instantly recognize the extra aggression baked into the details. It’s still elegant, but now looks like it hits the gym regularly.

The rear of the CLA 45 is where the car’s dual personality comes together best. The 2025 update brings slimmer, more modern taillights that stretch wider across the rear, enhancing its planted appearance. A gloss black diffuser houses quad exhaust tips, each one hinting at the chaos the engine can unleash. A subtle lip spoiler on the trunk adds just the right amount of flair without veering into boy-racer territory. It’s clean, but assertive rear end that looks as good pulling away as it does approaching in your mirror.

Step inside the 2025 CLA 45, it becaomes clear that AMG hasn’t just focused on performance, it has delivered an itnerior that feels just as serious as the car’s driving dynamics. The design remains familiar, but gets a few updates for the new model year, including a refreshed MBUX infotainment system and newly available trim options that help modernize the cabin. The twin-screen setup – one for the digital gauge cluster and the other for infotainment – is crisp, responsive, and still one of the best integrated tech layouts in the segment. AMG-specific graphics, animations, and drive mode displays give the cabin a performance oriented vibe without feeling overdone. Ambient lighting flows through the dash and door panels, adding a splash of colour and a sense of drama when the sun goes down.

There are few quirks worth noting. Some controls are touch-sensitive, which can be frustrating while driving. Mercedes-Benz was kind enough to leave climate control buttons alone, they are physical and easy to operate. However, the steering wheel buttons are all touch-sensitive, they are small and annoying to interact. Another issue is the overall practicality especially in the center console area, it just doesn’t offer enough storage especially if you are used to larger sedans or crossovers. That said, the build quality is solid across the board. Materials feel upscale where it counts: soft-touch surfaces on the dash, premium stitching, and available carbon fiber or brushed metal trim all add a layer of visual and tactile appeal. The optional AMG seats are excellent and well worth the upgrade if you are looking for extra lateral support.

The interior space is where the CLA 45 AMG shows its compact car roots. Front seat occupants will have no complaints, but the rear seats are a bit snug for taller passengers, especially when it comes to the headroom due to the sloping roofline. Trunk space is decent for the segment, though not exceptional. Where the CLA 45 shines is in its ability to offer high-performance hardware in a relatively practical, approachable package. Compared to rivals, it feels more premium and more purpose-build, especially in the way it blends design, performance cues, and everyday livability.

Under the hood of the 2025 CLA 45 lies a masterpiece of engineering: a hand-built 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that remains the most powerful production four-cylinder engine in the world. With an eye-widening 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, it rockets the CLA 45 from 0 to 60 mph in around four seconds. It’s not just the numbers that impress – it’s the way the engine delivers power. Turbo lag is virtually nonexistent, and high-revving nature of the engine makes it feel alive and responsive at any speed. The four cylinder engine doesn’t feel as special as Audi’s 5-cylinder, but still offers impressive performance considering it’s only a 2.0-liter.

Backing that engine is an AMG-tuned 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shifts with lightning speed and satisfying aggression when in sportier drive modes. Around town, it’s well behaved but it can’t hide the fact it’s a dual clutch transmission, definitely not as smooth as a traditional automatic transmission, or even Volkswagen’s DSG transmission.

All of that power is routed through Mercedes’ 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which in the CLA 45 includes a rear torque-vertoring differential capable of sending power side-to-side to help rotate the car in corners. It’s not just there for grip, it adds a layer of dynamic handling that makes the CLA 45 more agile and responsive than all front-biased AWD systems. In Race or Track mode, the system can even send more torque to the rear wheels, enhancing the driving experience and making the CLA 45 feel far more rear-driven than most entries in this segment.

From a performance standpoint, it’s really hard to criticize the CLA 45 AMG as it offers a driving experience that punches well above its weight class, blending everyday usability with seriously sharp performance. It’s the kind of a car that feels alive the moment you start it up. Steering is direct and well-weighted, especially in the sportier drive modes, and the chassis fels tight and composed whether you’re attacking back roads or carving highway ramps. The AMG-tuned adaptive suspensiuon is firm but not punishing by any means, striking a good balance between precision and daily comfort.

That said, the experience isn’t without the compromises. As technically impressive as the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is, it still can’t entirely escape the character limitations of its layout. It’s loud, fast, and wildly capable, but it doesn’t feel as special as other entries with more cylinders. While the car is incredibly quick, the surge of power can feel clinical at times – more effective than emotional.

Still, once you are behind the wheel and leaning into a series of tight corners, it’s hard to deny how dialed-in the CLA 45 feels. There isn’t a lot of steering feel, but the torque vectoring AWD system adds a level of agility that makes the car feel smaller and more playful behind the wheel. On the other hand, it’s a car that rewards precision, but won’t punish a driver who’s still learning the limits. It’s not raw or wild in the traditional AMG sense, just more focused, calculated and deliberate. Even though that may disappoint some purists looking for old-school AMG drama, but for anyone seking a daily-driveable weapon that can also rip up a back road, the CLA 45 is a compelling package.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG stands out as a sharp, high-performance alternative in the compact luxury segment. It’s not the loud, unrefined muscle car of AMG’s past, and it doesn’t claim to be one. Instead, it offers a more focused and refined take on speed, pairing precision with polish. The engine may lack some of the drama and character enthusiasts usually crave, but its responsiveness and sheer output are hard to argue with. Combine that with confident handling, upscale materials, and an interior packed with modern tech, the CLA 45 becomes a genuinely exciting option for drivers who want real performance without sacrificing comfort or everyday livability. For sure, it’s a serious tool for spirited driving, but it doesn’t forget how to be a solid daily companion.

Engine	2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4
Transmission & Drivetrain	8-speed dual clutch transmission & all-wheel-drive
Max power	416 hp @ 6750 rpm
Max torque	369 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
0-100 km/h	4.1 sec
Curb Weight (estimated)	3791 lbs – 1719 kg
Fuel Economy (observed)	21 MPG – 11.2 L/100 km
Price (as tested)	$75,000 CAD
Website:	www.mercedes-benz.ca