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2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is a standout, even without yellow paint

With luxury and tech in spades, there are a lot of reasons to like the 2020 Mercedes CLA.

Emme Hall
I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.
Emme Hall
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For 2020 the Mercedes-Benz CLA has really grown up.

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While we can debate the semantics of calling it a "four-door coupe," the base CLA250 is a huge improvement over its predecessor.

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For 2020, the hindquarters are much easier on the eyes, with sleek taillights and a license plate that's been lowered, making room for the Mercedes-Benz star to take center stage.

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In front, the headlights have been tightened up, the grille enlarged and extra vents added for a menacing look. 

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The 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine puts out 221 horsepower, 13 more ponies than before, while torque remains the same at 258 pound-feet.

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While that is more than enough power to have fun on country roads, the straight-line performance of the CLA 250 is a bit pokey: 6.2 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.

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Still, it's an enjoyable car to drive and it's chock-full of technology.

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The MBUX infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard.

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The navigation system has augmented-reality overlays, so you always know exactly where to turn.

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You can get yourself into a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 for $36,650; add $2,000 for all-wheel drive. However, this tester here with a bunch of options comes out to $54,110, including $995 for destination.

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Keep scrolling for more photos of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250.

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