CLA Headroom Dimensions: Your Perfect Fit
Quick Summary: Unsure about CLA headroom? We clarify the crucial dimensions for front and rear seats across different CLA generations, ensuring you’ll find your perfect, comfortable fit, whether you’re driving or being chauffeured.
When seeking a new Mercedes-Benz, especially one known for its sporty design like the CLA, understanding interior space is paramount. Will you fit comfortably? Does a taller passenger have enough room? One of the most common questions revolves around CLA headroom dimensions. It’s a vital aspect of comfort, particularly for longer drives or for those of us who aren’t exactly on the shorter side. Fret not! This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know about the headroom in various Mercedes-Benz CLA models, making it easy to find your perfect fit.
We’ll delve into the specifics, look at how different model years and body styles might vary, and offer practical advice to ensure your experience in a CLA is nothing but comfortable. Let’s explore the numbers and what they mean for you and your passengers.
Understanding CLA Headroom: What It Means for You
Headroom in a car refers to the vertical space available between the seat cushion and the car’s roofline. It’s a critical factor for comfort, especially for taller individuals. Too little headroom can lead to a feeling of being cramped, making drives less enjoyable. For the Mercedes-Benz CLA, a model celebrated for its sleek, coupe-like silhouette, understanding these dimensions is particularly important, as this styling can sometimes impact interior volume compared to more traditionally shaped sedans.
Mercedes-Benz prioritizes luxury and driver experience, and this extends to interior comfort. While the CLA is positioned as a more compact luxury vehicle, the engineers strive to maximize the usable space within its stylish confines. Knowing the exact measurements helps manage expectations and ensures you’re choosing a car that will accommodate you and your passengers comfortably for all your journeys.
CLA Headroom Dimensions: A Closer Look by Generation
The Mercedes-Benz CLA has seen a couple of generations, each with subtle differences in design and interior packaging. We’ll break down the typical headroom dimensions, focusing on the front and rear seating areas.
First Generation CLA (C117): 2013-2019
The first generation of the CLA introduced the stylish four-door coupe concept to a broader market. Its sporty profile meant that rear headroom, in particular, was a point of consideration.
Front Headroom: For the driver and front passenger, the C117 generally offered a comfortable amount of headroom, typically ranging around 37-38 inches (approximately 940-965 mm). This is ample for most individuals, even those of average to above-average height, allowing for a relaxed driving position.
Rear Headroom: This is where the CLA’s design choices are most apparent. Due to the sloping roofline, rear headroom was more constrained, usually falling in the range of 35-36 inches (approximately 890-915 mm). While adequate for shorter passengers or for shorter journeys, very tall individuals might find it snug, especially when entering or exiting.
It’s important to remember that these figures can vary slightly depending on the specific trim level, features like a sunroof, and even how the measurements are taken. For instance, a panoramic sunroof can sometimes slightly reduce the usable headroom compared to a standard roof or a sunroof delete.
Second Generation CLA (C118): 2019-Present
The second generation of the CLA (C118) brought an updated design and, according to Mercedes-Benz, improvements in interior space and comfort. While maintaining its sporty character, efforts were made to enhance practicality.
Front Headroom: Similar to the outgoing generation, the C118 continues to offer generous front headroom, often around 37.9 inches (approximately 963 mm). This ensures that both the driver and the front passenger enjoy a spacious and airy cabin feel, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz interiors.
Rear Headroom: The C118 generation saw a slight improvement in rear headroom compared to its predecessor. While still characterized by the sloping roofline, it typically measures around 37.0 inches (approximately 940 mm). This is a notable increase that makes the rear seats more accommodating for a wider range of passengers, enhancing the car’s usability as a four-seater.
These dimensions are generally for the standard model. Optional equipment, such as the large panoramic glass sunroof, can slightly impact these figures. Always check the specific configuration you are interested in.
CLA Shooting Brake Headroom Dimensions (Europe & Other Markets)
For markets where the CLA Shooting Brake (X118) is available, the extended roofline offers a distinct advantage, particularly for rear passengers.
Front Headroom (Shooting Brake): The front headroom is very similar to the CLA Coupe, typically around 37.9 inches (approximately 963 mm), ensuring excellent comfort for the front occupants.
Rear Headroom (Shooting Brake): This is where the Shooting Brake truly shines. The more upright rear roofline significantly increases rear headroom, often measuring around 38.4 inches (approximately 975 mm). This makes the Shooting Brake a much more practical option for passengers who regularly occupy the rear seats or for families.
If you frequently carry adult passengers in the back or have taller individuals in your family, the CLA Shooting Brake is an excellent consideration for its enhanced rear headroom and overall interior volume.
Table: CLA Headroom Dimensions at a Glance
To help you quickly compare, here’s a table summarizing the approximate headroom dimensions. Please note these are general figures and can vary slightly by year, trim, and optional equipment (like sunroofs).
| Model Generation | Seating Position | Approximate Headroom (Inches) | Approximate Headroom (Millimeters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Gen CLA (C117: 2013-2019) | Front | 37.0 – 38.0 | 940 – 965 |
| Rear | 35.0 – 36.0 | 890 – 915 | |
| Second Gen CLA Coupe (C118: 2019-Present) | Front | 37.9 | 963 |
| Rear | 37.0 | 940 | |
| Second Gen CLA Shooting Brake (X118: 2019-Present) | Front | 37.9 | 963 |
| Rear | 38.4 | 975 |
Note: These figures are estimates. For precise measurements of a specific vehicle, consult the owner’s manual or the official Mercedes-Benz specifications for that model year and trim.
Factors Affecting CLA Headroom
While the base specifications provide a good benchmark, several factors can influence the actual headroom you experience in a Mercedes-Benz CLA:
- Sunroof/Panoramic Roof: These popular features add to the luxury feel but can slightly reduce the available headroom, particularly in the rear. The mechanism for the roof takes up some vertical space.
- Seat Adjustments: The height adjustment for the driver’s seat can significantly impact perceived headroom. Ensure the seat is adjusted to your preferred driving position.
- Body Style: As we’ve seen, the Coupe and Shooting Brake variants of the CLA have different rear headroom figures due to their rooflines.
- Passenger Height: Obvious, but taller passengers will naturally experience less headroom than shorter ones.
- Measurement Point: Headroom is typically measured from the deepest point of the seat cushion to the lowest point of the roof lining above it. This can vary slightly between manufacturers and even within different parts of the same seat.
How to Check CLA Headroom for Yourself
The best way to determine if a CLA offers sufficient headroom is to experience it firsthand. When you visit a dealership or inspect a used CLA:
- Sit in the Driver’s Seat: Adjust the seat to your most comfortable driving position. Lean back slightly and check for clearance between your head and the roof.
- Test the Front Passenger Seat: Experience the space from this position as well.
- Evaluate the Rear Seats: Have a friend or family member who matches your typical passenger height sit in the rear. Ask them about comfort, especially if they need to lean forward or have their head against the roof.
- Consider Entry and Exit: Pay attention to how easily you can get in and out of the rear seats. The sloping roofline of the coupe can make this a bit more challenging for some.
- Simulate Your Driving Habits: If you often have tall passengers, try to have them test the car during your viewing.
You can find detailed specifications for all Mercedes-Benz models on their official websites or through reputable automotive review sites. For example, sites like Mercedes-Benz USA’s official site provide comprehensive details on current models.
CLA vs. Other Mercedes-Benz Models: Where Does It Stand?
The CLA is designed to be a sportier, more compact offering within the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Compared to larger sedans like the E-Class or S-Class, the CLA will naturally have less overall interior volume, including headroom, particularly in the rear. Models like the C-Class offer a balance, often providing more rear headroom than a CLA Coupe while maintaining a similar footprint. The GLA, being an SUV, typically offers more upright seating and consequently, more headroom than the CLA Coupe.
If maximum headroom is your top priority, you might want to explore models with less aggressive rooflines. However, for a stylish, performance-oriented vehicle that still offers reasonable comfort for most, the CLA is a well-balanced choice.
Maximizing Comfort in Your CLA
Even if the numbers suggest your headroom might be borderline, there are ways to maximize comfort:
- Seat Adjustment: Ensure your seat is adjusted correctly. Lowering it can sometimes provide surprising extra clearance. For rear passengers, tilting the seat back slightly (if possible) can help.
- Driving Position: Find a driving position that balances comfort with visibility and control, while ensuring adequate head clearance.
- Choose Options Wisely: If you are particularly sensitive to headroom, consider models without a panoramic sunroof, if available and practical for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CLA Headroom
Q1: Is the headroom in a new CLA (C118) better than the older one (C117)?
Yes, the second generation CLA (C118) generally offers slightly improved headroom, especially in the rear, compared to the first generation (C117). While still maintaining a sporty profile, Mercedes-Benz made adjustments to enhance interior comfort.
Q2: Will a panoramic sunroof reduce headroom in my CLA?
A panoramic sunroof can slightly reduce the effective headroom because the glass panel and the surrounding mechanism take up vertical space within the roof liner. The reduction is usually minor but noticeable for taller individuals.
Q3: How much headroom does the CLA Shooting Brake have?
The CLA Shooting Brake (X118) offers the most generous rear headroom within the CLA family. Its extended roofline typically provides around 38.4 inches (975 mm), making it more comfortable for rear passengers than the CLA Coupe.
Q4: Are the front and rear headroom dimensions the same in a CLA Coupe and Shooting Brake?
Front headroom is generally consistent between the CLA Coupe and Shooting Brake. However, the rear headroom is significantly greater in the Shooting Brake due to its more upright roofline.
Q5: Can I fit comfortably in the back of a CLA if I’m over 6 feet tall?
For the CLA Coupe, especially the first generation, a person over 6 feet tall might find the rear headroom snug or insufficient for long journeys. The second generation offers some improvement, but it’s still best to test this personally. The Shooting Brake is a better option for taller rear passengers.
Q6: Where can I find the exact headroom dimensions for a specific CLA model year?
The most accurate source is the official Mercedes-Benz specifications for the exact model year and trim you are interested in. Check the Mercedes-Benz USA website (or your local Mercedes-Benz site), or consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Reputable automotive review sites often list detailed interior dimensions as well.
Q7: Does the AMG CLA have different headroom dimensions?
Typically, AMG variants of the CLA share the same body shell and interior dimensions as their standard counterparts. Therefore, the fundamental headroom dimensions are usually identical. Any differences would likely stem from specific seat designs or optional features within the AMG trim.
Conclusion
Understanding CLA headroom dimensions is a crucial step in ensuring your comfort and satisfaction with this stylish Mercedes-Benz. While the sporty coupe design of the CLA naturally presents certain limitations, particularly in rear headroom, Mercedes-Benz has consistently worked to optimize interior space. The second generation (C118) brought measurable improvements, and the Shooting Brake variant offers a particularly practical solution for those needing extra rear head clearance.
By familiarizing yourself with the general dimensions for each generation and by always prioritizing a personal test drive, you can effectively assess whether the CLA meets your comfort needs. Whether you’re the driver enjoying the premium cockpit or a passenger experiencing the journey, knowing these details empowers you to make an informed decision and find the CLA that offers your perfect fit, ensuring every drive is as enjoyable as you’d expect from a Mercedes-Benz.
