2022 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA was often described as "coupe-like" due to its four-door design and rakish rear window, though it wasn't considered a true coupe. Its sharp design was more eye-catching than the affordable A-Class sedan it shared its underpinnings with. Inside, the CLA shone with a modern, functional, and elegant cabin. The standard 7-inch digital instrument panel and 7-inch center touchscreen were combined in one continuous bezel, dominating two-thirds of the dash. The CLA 250 came with dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, synthetic leather upholstery, five USB ports, power-adjustable sport seats, and HD radio. The available Premium Package upgraded the screens to 10.25 inches and added satellite radio.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette did its best Ferrari impression with styling cues like an engine under glass, side air intakes, a pointed nose, and a tapered body that widened at the back. It was certainly exciting to look at, although it lacked specific identifiers as a Corvette. The Corvette coupe featured a lift-out roof panel for occasional open-air driving, while the convertible had a retractable hardtop that could lower in 16 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. All Corvette Stingray models had staggered wheels and tires, with 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rears. The interior was unmistakable, with a square steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and an infotainment touchscreen. The dashboard layout referenced the dual-cockpit shape of classic Corvettes but took it further with a spine-like structure separating driver and passenger.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with varying outputs. The CLA 250's engine produced 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to front-wheel drive (FWD) or available 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD). The AMG CLA 35 made 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with power routed through the same seven-speed transmission to standard AWD. The AMG CLA 45 had a turbo-four engine that put out an impressive 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with standard AWD. This setup yielded a zero-to-sixty time of just four seconds. The CLA had taut, playful handling with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though the ride could feel stiff at times.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, launched for the 2020 model year, shattered tradition by going mid-engine, improving weight distribution and traction for the rear-wheel drive (RWD) 'Vette. The standard Corvette Stingray had a 6.2-liter V8 producing 490 hp and 465 pound-feet of torque, or 495 hp and 470 lb-ft with the optional performance exhaust system. The engine received calibration changes, an upgraded direct injection system, and more use of the Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation system. It was coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Chevy quoted a zero-to-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds and an 11.2-second quarter-mile time for cars equipped with the Z51 performance package. The Corvette felt playful and approachable, with communicative and precise steering and an eager chassis. Equipped with the optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension, it was also an excellent daily driver, absorbing bumps and potholes like a luxury sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA, being a subcompact sedan, had pros and cons. It was very maneuverable in tight spaces and had surprisingly spacious front seats. However, it had tight rear seats and a small trunk, providing only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The coupe-like profile resulted in limited rear headroom and legroom, with usable rear-seat space only achievable by sliding the front seat forward. The CLA made solid use of its front-seat space, with ergonomic controls, decent-sized cupholders, and large in-door cubbies for water bottles.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, a two-seat sports car, had two trunks due to its mid-engine layout: one in front and one behind the engine compartment, totaling 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear trunk could hold a set of golf clubs, while the front trunk could hold an airline carry-on bag. However, removing the roof took up the entire rear trunk, reducing cargo space significantly. The Corvette's design decisions worked well for driving, with a square steering wheel providing an unobstructed view of the instrument cluster, an easy-to-reach touchscreen, and an arched center console putting controls within easy reach. Rear visibility was compromised, but large, well-placed mirrors and optional rear camera mirrors helped. The driver-centric cockpit layout meant the touchscreen and controls were turned away from the passenger. The optional GT2 bucket seats offered more bolstering than the standard seats, with enough cushioning to still be comfortable.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA came with the standard MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, controllable via the center touchscreen, a dial in the center console, or voice recognition. Both the touchscreen and instrument cluster could be controlled via small touch-sensitive toggles on the steering wheel. MBUX had a sensible layout and included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless device charging was optional, but wireless CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The CLA exclusively used USB-C outlets, which might have been a setback for American drivers who hadn't yet transitioned to USB-C.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrument cluster, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Navigation was standard on all trim levels except the base 1LT, and a head-up display was also available. The infotainment system was easy to use, with simple graphics and important functions not buried in endless submenus. Base 1LT models had a 10-speaker Bose Premium audio system, while other trims had a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system. The Corvette also had Chevy’s Performance Data Recorder, which could capture dashcam video and data traces from track sessions. The front-end lift system could raise the nose 40 millimeters and remember up to 1,000 locations.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA came with a solid list of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. It also had crosswind assist. Additional safety features required selecting one or more packages. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, rear collision braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive headlights and parallel park assist with a surround-view parking monitor were also available as options.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette was light on driver-assist tech, with notable features being blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which were not available on the base 1LT trim level. Crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were not available at the time.