Driven: 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA220 Hybrid

First glance: Mercedes-Benz finally stopped putting on a poker face?

To be honest, when I first saw this CLA220 Hybrid, I was stunned-Mercedes-Benz's design has become more and more "secure" in recent years, but this time it really pulled me back. The front face is no longer the same "big mouth + triangular eyes", but a wider and lower posture, like a predator ready to go. The through-through light band at the rear is matched with the slightly upturned duckling tail, which is not exaggerated but definitely recognizable. The most soulful thing is the test drive paint called "Nebula Blue". Purple and gold particles will emerge in the sun, which is a hundred times stronger than the lifeless silver before. After circling the car three full times, I was willing to get into the cockpit-the change in appearance was worth taking a separate photo of it.

Pulling open the door: Is this interior a "dimensional-reduction attack" or a "temperature-sensing"?

The first reaction when you sit in is: Well, the familiar sense of Mercedes-Benz technology. Second reaction: But it seems to be a little more human? Although the through-type triple screen (central control + co-driver + instrument) is not new, the co-driver's screen is finally no longer a display-you can use it to brush the TV, adjust the air conditioner, and even control navigation routes to upload tasks. The material can feel soft suede and real stitching, rather than the hard plastic skin of the previous generation. But I still have to complain: the steering wheel touch buttons are still easy to touch by mistake. When I adjusted the volume, the navigation roadmap was enlarged, and I was so angry that I wanted to smash the steering wheel. In addition, the rear space? Come on, this car is for two people to enjoy. You can sit in the back for emergencies, but forget about the long distance.

Powertrain: Micro-hybrid + turbo, no anxiety of pure electricity but the pleasure of pure electricity

The CLA220 Hybrid is equipped with a 1.5T four-cylinder and 48V light hybrid, plus a P2 position motor. The total system output is about 200 horsepower. It was quietly started, because the default start was purely electric-that feeling of tranquility was worthy of the word "luxury". But don't think it's a soft-footed shrimp. The low roar when the engine intervenes in sports mode has obviously been deliberately adjusted and is much better than the dry roar of the old CLA. The gearbox has an 8-speed dual clutch, and the shifting speed is as fast as a drug. The low-speed squirming will occasionally stall a little. This is probably an ancestral problem of the dual clutch.

Open it up: What kind of feeling is this road... I'm actually smiling?

I originally thought that a pioneer platform and energy-saving hybrid CLA would be so boring that it would yawn, but I was wrong. The steering feels light but precise, like a gamepad where you point. The chassis adjustment is more comfortable but retains a certain sense of the road. When passing the speed bump, it passes quickly and passes with a "bang" without unnecessary shaking. The most amazing thing is the re-acceleration ability with the assistance of the motor-from 80km/h to 120km/h at high speed, the torque is strong and linear, and the overtaking is full of confidence. Moreover, the brake texture has finally become linear, and it is finally no longer the ghost appearance of the old Mercedes-Benz that "the front half is empty and the back half hits the wall". Overall driving experience: It is a luxury and compact car that allows you to take the initiative to drive it out, rather than a tool that pleases yourself simply to save fuel.

Technology and battery life: Who says hybrids cannot be "smart"?

This hybrid system can automatically switch between pure electric or fuel modes according to navigation road conditions. For example, if there is a congested road ahead, it will store electricity in advance and use pure electricity to pass through it to optimize fuel consumption. The measured fuel consumption for 100 kilometers in urban road conditions is 4.8L and 5.6L at high speed, which is very good for a 200-horsepower car. However, the official rating of pure electric battery life is about 80 kilometers (WLTP). In actual winter, the actual air conditioner may only be more than 50 kilometers-enough for commuting, but don't expect to cross cities. The smoothness of the car system is fine, but the voice assistant is occasionally stupid. I said,"Navigate to the nearest gas station", and it recommended me a car wash shop...

Conclusion: It's not perfect, but it's something I want to have

The 2027 CLA220 Hybrid has slots: the rear seat is cramped, the touch is easily touched by mistake, and the battery life is average. But it has so many reasons for me to forgive it: its gaudy exterior, warm interior, driving feeling higher and higher, and a surprisingly smart hybrid system. If you're like me and want to save fuel while commuting every day without sacrificing the pleasure of driving, this car may be the answer to "both want and want". Finally: When I have money, I will definitely buy a Nebula Blue one.