2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2022 Porsche 911

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA was often described as "coupe-like" due to its four-door design and rakish rear window. Despite this, it wasn't considered a true coupe since coupes traditionally have two doors. The CLA's sharp design was more eye-catching than the more 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 AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45 included all the equipment of the CLA 250 plus the Premium Package.

The 2022 Porsche 911 retained its iconic styling and rear-engine layout since its introduction in 1963. Porsche chose to evolve the 911 gradually over decades rather than completely rethink it with each generation. This approach made the 911 one of the best sports cars available, though it limited how much it could change. The 911 was a "driver’s car," intended for those who derived pleasure from performance and were willing to make some sacrifices for athleticism. Despite this, most 911 models were relatively comfortable and easy to live with as daily drivers. The 911's sturdy build quality and refined interior helped justify its high price. With the push toward an all-electric future, it was uncertain how long the 911 would remain in its internal-combustion state, though Porsche's success with the Taycan electric sedan suggested a promising future for a potential 911 EV.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine across all versions, 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's engine delivered 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, also through the seven-speed transmission to standard AWD. The AMG CLA 45 topped the range with a turbo-four engine producing 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard AWD. This setup allowed the AMG CLA 45 to achieve 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, especially compared to other Mercedes models. The available adaptive damping suspension helped somewhat, but the overall ride quality remained firm.

The 2022 Porsche 911's engine was as iconic as the car itself, featuring a horizontally-opposed six-cylinder "boxer" engine mounted behind the rear axle. This rear-engine layout placed more weight at the car's tail, favoring high-performance driving by making the vehicle more responsive and capable of rotating its tail into turns. The 911's deep roster included 10 variants, starting with the base Carrera's 3.0-liter turbocharged boxer-six producing 379 horsepower. The Carrera 4 and any 911 with a "4" in its name denoted AWD, while the standard was RWD. The Carrera S increased output to 443 hp, and the new 473-hp GTS represented a middle ground between the Carreras and higher-performing models like the Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, GT3 Touring, and the forthcoming GT3 RS. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) was offered on almost all models, while a seven-speed manual gearbox was available on S and GTS models. The PDK improved acceleration and fuel efficiency, but the manual was preferred for driver engagement. The Carrera GTS Cabriolet with PDK could reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 192 mph. The 911 cornered with thrilling confidence and could be coerced into oversteer with deliberate and aggressive driving. The suspension's adaptive dampers allowed for adjustable stiffness, ensuring a compliant ride even on broken pavement. The brakes were effective and easy to modulate, making the 911 an accomplished sports car with minimal sacrifices to drivability, comfort, and refinement.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA, as a subcompact sedan, had its pros and cons. It was very maneuverable in tight spaces and had surprisingly spacious front seats. However, the rear seats were tight, and the trunk was small, offering 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 significantly. The front-seat space was well-utilized, with ergonomic controls, decent-sized cupholders, and large in-door cubbies for water bottles.

The 2022 Porsche 911's interior design blended historic personality with modern sensibilities. The large analog tachometer in the center of the instrument panel was flanked by smaller secondary digital gauges, and a 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen was centrally located on the dash. Physical controls for climate, audio, and drive modes remained, reducing the need to use the touchscreen. The standard seats were comfortable and supportive, with sport seats offering increased side bolstering for improved lateral support without compromising comfort. Taller drivers and front passengers had plenty of space, but the rear seats were very small, better suited for cargo overflow. The front trunk offered only 4.6 cubic feet of space, and interior storage was limited to a multipurpose pocket in the center console, a shallow armrest bin, and small door pockets. The convertible's fabric top could be stowed or deployed in 12 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph, effectively filtering out wind noise. The 911's interior featured excellent materials and sturdy construction, with options for customization, though Porsche options were notoriously expensive.

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. The touchscreen and instrument cluster could also be controlled via small touch-sensitive toggles on the steering wheel. MBUX had a sensible layout and included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wireless CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. Wireless device charging was optional, and the CLA exclusively used USB-C outlets, which might have required some users to purchase adaptor cables.

The 2022 Porsche 911, being a driver’s car, placed technology features lower on the priority list. The infotainment system's touchscreen was mounted lower on the dash, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road to use it. Apple CarPlay was wireless, but Android Auto required a USB cable. The base audio system was likely to disappoint, so upgrading to the optional Bose system was recommended. The premium audio system was expensive at $5,560 but justified for audiophiles. Remote Park Assist was available as an add-on to the Premium package. Most innovative technology was incorporated into the various drive systems, with Comfort and Sport Plus modes changing the car's character. The Sport Chrono package added performance-related features, including a lap timer with analysis capabilities.

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. Crosswind assist was also standard. Additional safety features required selecting packages, such as the Driver Assistance package ($1,700) which added adaptive cruise control, rear collision braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive headlights were available for $900, and parallel park assist and a surround-view parking monitor could be added for $1,100.

The 2022 Porsche 911 had not been evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features on the base Carrera included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The optional Premium package added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and blind-spot monitoring. Other options included night vision and an integrated dashcam feature. Feature availability varied by trim level, and the 911 offered fewer safety features compared to conventional sedans and SUVs, which was typical for sports cars.