Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 review

Sports saloons are traditionally that ‘one car fits all’ solution people like us like to extoll the virtues of. The only thing that potentially gets in the CLA45’s way of such hallowed praise is its firmness, but then it’s a long way from being the only German performance thing that’s absurdly stiff. Which suggests most buyers simply don’t mind.

Otherwise, this’ll be a fine thing to use every day, whatever the weather. Especially if you spend an extra £1,000 on the Shooting Brake and its extra versatility.

Mercedes claims pretty impressive numbers at the opposite end of the scale to its 415bhp and 4.0sec sprints, too; 33.6mpg and 191g/km of CO2 from the four-door, 32.8mpg and 195g/km if you go for the estate. Quite how realistic those will prove in everyday driving we’re not sure, but given how long top gear is, then motorway miles ought to be reasonably frugal at least.