Mercedes CLA45s vs C43 AMG - Which is better? Full owners review
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- As an owner of both the Mercedes CLA45s AMG and the Mercedes C43 AMG I am putting both cars head to head in this full review. If your thinking about buying one of these cars this video is for you!
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This video features the CLA45s AMG which is one of the AMG performance versions of the Mercedes CLA. My car is the 2022 CLA45s AMG Coupe but you can also get the CLA45s AMG Shooting brake or even the A45s Hatch back.
The CLA45s gives you that great AMG sound from the AMG performance and also the luxury of a Mercedes Benz
This is the w118 Mercedes CLA. The 2022 CLA45s AMG
If you like this car also check out some of the other great Mercedes AMG models:
A35 AMG
CLA45 AMG
C43 AMG
C63 AMG
E63S AMG
Make sure to always spec the AMG performance exhaust!
#Mercedes #CLA45 #AMG #Cars #C43 
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Love both. If you have a family c43 is better, more space, comfier ride. If you will always drive alone or with one passenger and need peak performance without a lot of comfort CLA45S takes the cake.
Taking a 4d c43 is criminal 😭😂
Simply brilliant video Adam and very glad you finally did this comparison. Quality of video was amazing too - so a huge “well done” mate! As a current C43 owner, I think you did both cars proud and, I for one, loved better understanding the differences. Best vid yet!!!
Hey Joe, Thank you so much I'm glad you enjoyed it. Lots of work went into this one but It was so much fun to make.
What an epic well structured review, I really enjoyed watching every minute of it.
what a complete video good job man
This Channel Deserves More Views No Lie, the Quality of this Video Is just Bonkers...nice work man👍🔥
Well done, love your review
Great honest comparison, been looking for a good c43 for a while but now going to test drive a cla45 after watching this
Thanks Scott, Make sure It’s the new model year released in 2020. The older 45 model is still a good car but the 2020 is leaps ahead and pretty much an entirely different car. If I were choosing between the older CLA45 and the C43, I would go for the C43.
my man..... turning it in full manual mode made the red blinking lights appear! SO BADASS! thank you man!
Good stuff! Love manual mode 😁
This is a proper well made video!! Was amazed!!!
Thanks Hamzah, this one was really fun to put together.
Exceptional review.
Both rides are nice. CLA45S is heavily tuned from factory. C43 can be heavily tuned to be a S level AMG or better. I like 6cyc or more for long trips the 4cyc for daily.
I owned C43 and switched to CLA45S. I started to watch your channel after switching my car to learn about new Mercedes features. Downsides of CLA45S are lower headroom of rear seats, too simple interior and small fuel tank. Hey, but still feel much more fun to drive and looks so good.
The interior on a Cla45s is miles ahead of a c class. The c class is dated and really looking it’s age regardless of the materials used. Without long screens it’s not a Mercedes’ these days
@@fayahmad9063 they already have a new c class
@@str8ballin297 new interior set up is a step backwards tbh the current one is the best from the eclass,a class, cla
@@fayahmad9063 I mean with the CLA 45 you are comparing Mercedes’ next gen interior to the last gen interior in the c43. A more fair comparison would be to compare the interior when the c43 gets the refresh for this coming model year.
How many liters go in the cla fuel tank?
Great comparison! The C43 sounds much better but all future cars are going to be muted unfortunately, so it is what it is.
W
What you mean muted
@@fivestar000 electric fart cans
Nice comparison vid from an owner’s perspective. The CLA45s does look to be more fun and offers more drama and coolness. But for a daily it’s nice to have the C43 with a more sleeper look in comparison.
Excellent video
As a CLA45 owner 🏆🏆
I give it to the c43 on all grounds. Twin turbos=twice the fun
Imagine watching the video for 25 minutes only to end in a tie (joking) great video and work, keep it up ;)
Cla45 s is my absolute dream car. Beat merc for people who aren't extremely rich. Superb.
Congrats on your 45! Just bought out my C43 estate lease - it's just so good to drive with PE exhaust, and a rarity on Canadian roads.
Thanks @Kanggill2411, congrats on your C43 too. Such a fun car with the PE exhaust! 😁
You are good at this mate!
Stage 2 tune on c43 changes everything
Stage 2 on 45s too 😉
great video!! i cant wait to own a mercedes…any mercedes one day
Thanks Richard. I hope you manage to buy your dream car one day :)
@@ABAUTOAMG thanks!!! I hope so too and will work towards it!
Forgot to tie in the Drift Mode hidden under race mode focusing on RWD. "North America doesn't get the AMG CLA45S model option, but come with all the goodies minus the extra horse.. But nice to see the drift mode is also there."
Which one is better for maintenance? Is the 4 cylinder more strained than the 6?
If I had to choose, or could I Defently want the CLA
This is my moral dilemma atm. I’m deciding which to buy out of the 2.
As i will be buying a new car in the next couple months.
Been watching all ur videos on differences & reviews for both machines.
Just checked out both of them originally was gonna get the c43 but after seeing them in person and taking for a drive I’d got with the cla my friend
The CLA 45 in the USDM market gets everything (from what I know) that the S version gets except a detuned engine. From 421 hp to 382 hp. I’m getting one myself and I hope I can just flash tune it to a S model
Ah yes! The non S is still an amazing car. I think outside the UK you get some type of AMG pack option that gives racemode etc so should all be do-able.
@@ABAUTOAMG for sure! It’s all spec’ed out like that of yours. Race and drift mode, top speed limit to 167mph and options alike
Bro, the reason you go through corners slow in C43, does it lack locking differential?
This is Woburn right? Are you local? Thinking about buying a brand new C43. What are your thoughts on the new ones
C43 is more reliable….never had any single issue with my c43 (2019)… where I had gearbox and turbo issues with my cla45s…sold it and got a STI and keeping the c43
I like the CLA new body style, but the 4 doors is killing it, at least C43 has a coupe version with proper number of door
Ah see for me the coupe shape while having the practicality of 4 doors is a huge win. Love a full two door coupe though of course too! :)
dude the C coupe proportion is completely off and ugly .... the coupe only look good on E-class and above.
you should made the comparison of that C43 with previous CLA45 or the new CLA45s with the new C43... the quality, the look, etc with different generation are always very different...
Can’t wait for my opportunity to experience this AMG M139 motor in the USA bound 2023-2024 First Edition i4 Lotus Emira ! Especially after either Lotus enhances its standard ECU, or Brabus jail-brakes it - here in the USA - to reliably deliver the 420hp + with the appropriate turbo cooling system- after my factory warranty expires !!! Haha !!! I can’t wait !
Hey cousin. Very impressive stuff. Hope you're ok?
Great video bro 👍. Been waiting for this comparison. I recently moved from a w204 c300, to a 2021 cla45(no s version in Canada). Was actual about to get a used 2019 c43, wanted a 6cyl, but figured the interior would soon be outdated, and MB put all the exterior goodies on the cla45 that would have cost extra to put aftermarket. My only complaint is that I find the dct quite jerky in the low gears, in stop and go traffic. Have you experienced any of that?
Thx, and keep those videos coming 👍👍.
Thanks Lincoln! Hope you are enjoying your 45, even without the s version they are still amazing. The dct can be a little jerky at times in slow driving. Be sure to turn off the stop-start feature also because this can add jerks thinking you are stopping at very low speeds. The C43 was the same, prefacelift was worse for this but they improved it after 2019. After spending the weekend with an EQE I really noticed the gears at low speeds. The CLA45s felt amazing though driving after the EQE. Every time I drive another car I love the CLA45s even more! :)
@@ABAUTOAMG thats amazing to hear , hopefully i will be picking up in 10 days too . Caaant wait
@@ABAUTOAMG thanks for replying. Glad to hear it's a characteristic of the car, and not mine alone. Keep up the great work.. Need more videos of the family in the car, and all the cars you review. To hear more of their thoughts. 👍👍
@@ABAUTOAMG I've had the stop/start 'thing' coded out on my A35 so it's always off as opposed to having to turn it off each time you start the car. I'll do the same when I get my 45S as well as removing the annoying rear seat belt notification. It was done online from the UK to Australia so you don't need to take the car anywhere.
Try bringing it to the dealer for software update or transmission adaptation, see if it helps. But it is normal for dct to jerks.
Doing the brakes on a friends 2018 C43 so of course took it for a road test & Wow! It put my 1997 Mustang to SHAME!!
I own a 2017 C43 and had no want to get a new model… but damn that CLA45S looks ridiculously sexy! Wow factor
C43 looks and sounds so much better, that V6 roar is phenomenal. At least the C43 has lines the cla looks like it came out of a jelly mould.
Show off is the right word here. The CLA is for showing off Exterieur/interior which I definitely don’t like and as you said it’s on A class base so the same car a bit bigger. And hand craft made are not usually the best things as well as there is more human issues than machinery 🤣
in my opinion I knew the hand built engine car would win, thats amg flagship mark and can't take second place to the more beautiful c43 factory manufactured engine, just my 2*
Well articulated I love ur c43 🙌🏾
Thanks Paul!
A bigger engine always sounds better than a smaller one, imo. For example, the 6.3 v8 sounds way better than the new 4.0l v8 one
baffled me he gave the engine vote to cla45s even though c43 sounds much better with the v6.
Owner of both cars? Wow, you must be one rich RUclipsr!
please review the new c43 amg (w206)!
I plan to review it as soon as they arrive :)
Obviously CLA 45S looks newer and better, but vor back seat space and comfort, I would choose c43!
Absolutely love that CLA45s and A45s especially in that colour.
Doing a 0-60mph comparison would be good to watch.
Thanks Thomas. Working on hopefully getting a airstrip so can do timed 60’s and drag races of every Mercedes. 🤞this can happen in the near future. Exciting times!
Need to compare the new c43 to the cla45s
100% agree this is coming as soon as the production models/demos arrive I will make sure I get my hands on one for you all :)
great editing on the beginning of this video...
Thanks Kay. This one was really fun to put together :)
It's not really fair to compare two different generations, but it makes sense since you own both. By the way, you decided to keep the C43? How is it used since it's so similar from the CLA? Cheers
Ah yep! I’m really interested to see how the new C43 does against the CLA45s when production models arrive il be jumping right in to get some videos! I don’t have the C43 sadly anymore since like you say they are very similar but I made sure to film lots with it before selling so it can stay a part of the channel.
Great review. Would love to see what you thought of the CLA45 vs the new C43 model coming out.
Thanks Justin, I am on the list to get a new C43 to review as soon as the demos arrive. Can’t wait to test the new C43 :)
@@ABAUTOAMG Awesome! cant wait to see it.
What is the price difference between them? I have a CLA 250 and love it!!
C43 55-60k uk pounds new and CLA45s 60-65k :)
Mate I have watched your videos for a while. I am in a predicament currently, CLA35 AMG or C43 facelift, what are your thoughts? Aside from my own preference what would you say is a better car for value for money.
Hey Andy, my gut would say you will get a lot more from the C43 over a CLA35 but il be honest I’ve not driven a 35 yet. Hoping to drive one very soon though so I can compare it against the 45s and the C43.
@@ABAUTOAMG Thanks for your reply mate, also did you notice a huge change in comfort/luxury going from a C Class to CLA? I know you mentioned some of this in the video
🔥🔥
i love c coupe. And i love my C43AMG, the CLA´s Interieur is beautiful! But all in all 6cylinders > 4cylinders. (And CLA is more expensive)
Great revieuw! I am gonna buy my first amg,so wich one do you think is best to start with?
I am thinking about a cls 53 amg,the c 43 amg,or the cla 45 amg s.
Thanks Nils, You really can't go wrong with either of those 3 cars. The CLS 53 will be the most comfortable, the C43 The C43 sits in the middle then the 45 the most sporty but least comfortable.
Advice i will consider!!! Thanks
The name just told you the answer, CLA = A , so CLA45s for better speed, C43 is always higher class then A （comfort , build quality )
I’ve had both simultaneously, C43 takes the crown 👑 it’s just the better car
Did you have the newer CLA45s or the previous generation CLA45 out of interest? Curious since there’s a huge difference and I’m quite surprised you’d pick the C43 over the new CLA45s. Don’t get my wrong I love both the 43 and 45s. I actually don’t like the older 45 as much though there’s a huge difference between generations.
@@ABAUTOAMG both 2022
The c43 was just roomier, felt a lot more comfortable in it, that’s literally all It took to trade it in
yall need to talk about maintenance cost and more detail thing on owning a car like this
I own a 2014 mercedes cla 45 amg and over the past 2 years that ive had it the maintenance cost for me has been: 9,500ish
Hey, I am just working on a video for the total cost of the CLA45s for the first year. In terms of maintenance both cars have been from new and under warranty so I’ve only really spent money on tyres and servicing. First service on the CLA45s came free with the car so Its not cost anything yet. C43 had 2 services both covered by a service plan that was £35 a month. I am planning on picking up an older C63 this year which won’t be under warranty so that may be more expensive to run.
You must hear F-type v6 sound 😍
The f type is one of my favourite v6 sounds of all time! 🥰
Hi there, Could you tell me if the new C43 Quad exhaust are real or fakes?
Hey, no problem. The tips are not real, there’s one exhaust end behind each set.
i love how the CLA looks but for me it's a no go due to the design being front wheel based sadly. also imo the 9g is much better then that 7g
It’s 8 speed dual clutch not 7G. Much more performance oriented transmission. 9G is better for daily drive.
They’re both all wheel drive… plus the CLA has drift mode so it can go into a rwd mode unlike the C43
@@davedoja7998 So? the CLA is FWD so the engine mounted 90° different then the C class and in front of the front axle vs behind for the C class. gives you a complete different driving dynamics and feel.
I think David is referring to the CLA45s which is the top end AMG CLA with 4matic plus four wheel drive with drift mode.
Best, how is the gas mileage in the cla45s. My car has already been postponed until november 😮💨
Thanks Marc and sorry to hear your car has been postponed :( MPG is surprising. First I was a bit disappointed averaging around 24 (still amazing for 420hp) but it blew me away on a long drive last week getting 44mpg.
For the same price pretty much I’d choose the one with more cylinders.
Hey there! Can I get your opinions on the 2018 Mercedes E43 AMG? Recently looking into one!
Hey Kai, Great car very comfortable and an amazing interior. Not as sporty as the C43 and CLA45s but still very quick and fun to drive. It would be a great daily driver.
@@ABAUTOAMG Thanks for the information! Will there be a review of the e43 or e53 coming up? Would love to see it!
No problem! Ah the e53 is a car I’m hoping to review soon!
@@ABAUTOAMG Hope to see it on the channel soon! Maybe even do a comparison with the C43 Amg and The CLA 45 S! Cheers mate!
I think you got the facts wrong about the 45. It can't send 100% of the power to the rear. It can send up to 50% to the rear and of that 50 can send up to 100% to either wheel.
Ah! sorry about that I think you are right. It’s easy to get muddled up with the details 4matic+ sometimes. I still haven’t taken my car to the track yet to properly test drift mode. Hopefully coming soon!
@@ABAUTOAMG after typing that I started second guessing myself. I did some reading and different articles say different percentages. I do know mine doesn't feel nearly as rear wheel driven in drift mode as my m2 did. Much easier to control, but that may just be the torque vectoring helping me out.
Best CLA45 review I’ve seen yet.
Im just getting a g wagon next
Love the video, but are you comparing 2022 to 2022 versions?
I ordered a CLA 45s for lease and have almost been waiting a year for it. Does anyone have any idea how long the wait could be?
Would you say that the cla 45 is drastically faster than the c43?
Overall yep. It feels faster in a straight line but its handling and general feel is much faster too. Both great cars though.
What about the fuel economy between the 2 ?
Ah! Yes that would of been a good one to include. They are quite similar averaging around 24mpg but capable of up to 40 on longer motorway drives.
Nice comparison however the cla is a 2021 model and the c is 2018 think the c43 was at a disadvantage
Hey Craig, I completely agree. I said exactly that at the end of the video. I can’t wait to put the CLA45s up against the new w206 C43 once I get my hands on one.
Absolutely I do love the detail you go into can’t wait to see the next comparison
@@craigbrown2732 thanks Craig loved making this one going to do lots of these now I have access to every car!
its still an A Class
With the ban in the U.K. coming in fast, if I don't buy/lease a CLA 45s coupe before the ban I'm going to regret my decision big time
what ban?
I think he means the ban for combustion engines to be produced in 2030. There will be loads of amgs left on used market though so combustion engines will be around for a very long time.
11:58 and that ladies and gentlemen, is why I will never be buying a 2L 4Cyl "AMG"
What about consumption and reliability?
Both are quite similar on Mpg. Average around 22-25 in both. Reliability wise I’ve had no problems so far for both cars.
An afttermarket exhaust on the cla45s would take over the c43 in terms of sound
No way, an aftermarket exhaust does not add 2 cylinders to the engine.
“Top end amg’s” put it on a entry level amg
Is the CLA what the coupes will be in now?
I’m hoping the new C class coupe will arrive in next couple of years. They often take a long time to release the coupe version of the C and E class.
@@ABAUTOAMG I just love Mercedes Coupes, I bought a 2018 C43 Coupe recently and I am having so much fun! I went to the Texas hill country (west of Austin) and had a blast in the car! Great videos BTW!
You need to do a video on how you afforded these cars😂
I’d love to share my story one day. Hopfully in the near future il make a honest video about it. Grew up very poor and had to work very hard to get here so I’d love to try and help inspire others that may be where I once was.
@@ABAUTOAMG I would love to watch that video. As I’m only now starting my journey (18). It would be good for you to kinda give advice because a lot of people look at these cars but very few actually achieve the goal. I’ll have my notifications on👋🏾
The fact that CLA is a front-wheel platform, I don't like it. Im a rear-wheel bias guy
I pick the C43 over the CLA45S for interior luxury. CLA45s looks more fun to drive but more like a chunk of plastic with an AMG engine.
All I’m seeing is people upset they can’t afford a Cla45s
At 11:16 u shift in first gear while driving. This hurts my heart as a mechanic.
Never ever switch in first gear while driving, it's just here to drive off from stopping.😵💫😵💫
Ah sorry this was pulled from my first drive in manual mode video where I was testing the gearbox out. It’s not something I do often just every now and then for some fun. Please don’t imagine me taking every turn and bend in 1st gear 😂
@@ABAUTOAMG hahaha everything good! Still nice video!
I still think the final gen c43 coupe is better than the CLA45s. You wont beat the sound of a V6
The CLA45s sounds great with a small cheap mod. Here’s the difference. ruclips.net/video/ikkJSM711gE/видео.html
@@ABAUTOAMG I watched the video and sure it sounds better, but still nowhere near as nice as a proper V6 - also I’d question if the mods made to the back box / exhaust now mean you fail your MOT emissions tests - I’m guessing the guy is drilling out the OPF or something similar… which would mean yes
Ah no it’s a actually a really simple mod. The car still has the opf and meets emissions. It’s when you remove the cat mots are failed. If sound is everything you should look into a w204 C63. That naturally aspirated V8 sounds so good :)
@@ABAUTOAMG I really don't see how it could pass emissions mate, he's modifying the exhaust in a way that increases sound. If you know about the OPF filters you know this isn't really possible to do, unless you modify them in a way which then fails emissions tests. Have you got any documentation from others that it definitely passes emissions tests with this mod? It would be interesting to see... Particularly as 'Paul' doesn't give us any insight into what he is doing...
CLA looks nice, but sounds like a Toyota Yaris to me, and the emotional connection is thus missing.
Exhaust mods coming soon ;)
4 cylinder... It should be illegal for AMG to bring out a 4 cylinder. If those things had a V8 or atleast a I6 they would be desirable. But like this...
What about maintenance
Both are pretty much the same. Standard service costs, same tyres etc :)
But the steering wheel is on the wrong side!
CLA 45s the most sporty Mercedes Benz
I think with the new C43 the things will be opposite
It’s going to be interesting that’s for sure! Can’t wait to cover the new C43 once production models arrive.
Nope sounds in the new c43 is worse, all fake noises inside the car and also down on power and slower. You can argue better interior perhaps but that new steering wheel is way over the top ugly imo
Well CLA is in normal drive FWD and the C- Class is real AWD
The C43 has the basic 4 wheel drive system (4matic) while the CLA45s has the the much more advanced AMG developed system (4matic+) which is only in the high end AMG models like the AMG GT 4door, E63S etc. That’s one of the reasons why these newer 45s models are so good and handle so well.
@@ABAUTOAMG well the higher models does not have the same system as long as the engine is mounted longitudinally like all the real engines. Cla has just litte bit tuned and better Haldex system.
The old generation CLA had a haldex system. The new one is completely different and has the AMG 4matic+ with drift mode etc. It’s a completely different car to the older model.
@@ABAUTOAMG yeah i believe you but i know that this new one has just newer version of the haldex because i work with these things everyday.
1.25x speed on all his videos
A handy RUclips feature ;)
@@ABAUTOAMG pick up the pace on your speech matey your content is a 10/10
The cla45s looks better have to admit that, but they really ruined the sound on this new one so as a c43 owner id rather keep mine. Rather go for the c63s if u got the cash
I do miss the lovely C43 sound when driving my CLA45s but It's such a great car to drive. I am doing a exhaust mod soon which should help!
What's the point of using an old C class model? Use the 2022-23 C43 to compare...🤔
Hey Calvin, thanks for checking out the video. My thoughts are comparing the old models to the new models is really interesting and this has been one of my most requested videos since I moved from the C43 to the CLA45s since many are considering if they should too. especially how much things are changing with AMG’s. The new C43 is not out yet but as soon as it arrives I am going to be comparing it directly to the CLA45s, especially since they will both share the same engine :)
In the end, a 4 cylinder will only produce the sound of a 4 cylinder.
Sadly yes. It's so sad that the new C63 is no longer a V8 :(
YEAH BUT I DON'T WANT A LOUD LUXURY CAR💯
Although a 4cyl AMG is a "true" AMG. Doesn't change the fact that those turbo 4 cilinders sound like shit. It's just a budget amg for knobs that don't know how to drive and that like flashy plastic trim and badges. They are both not rear wheel driven V8's and that is why they both suck.
People cry hard about how cheap the interieur of the CLA is, cheap materials, very noisy ... im driving a CLA for over 2 years now and its the most beautil interieur ive ever seen in a caar.. if cours its not as perfect as in the new E or C Class, but i think its better than in the old C class...
I think people just believe too much of what they read online and haven't had the chance to try it themselves sometimes. The Burmester sound system has had a similar reception online and I just filmed and reviewed it and It was great and lots of owners have agreed in the comments of the video. Glad you are enjoying your CLA, The interior is such a great place to be :)
WHY ARE THEY TREATING THESE LUXURY CARS LIKE THEY'RE RACE CARS🤔