The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is a less expensive model in the luxury lineup. Along with the A-Class, it’s intended to appeal to younger buyers who are new to the brand. The car has a lot to offer, but there is one feature that should come standard but doesn’t. Here’s what’s confounding about the keyless features in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is a four-door car with coupe styling. Cars.com describes it as “swoopy and low.” The A-Class sedan has very similar mechanics inside, but outside it’s more upright with more headroom in the rear seat.

The low roofline combined with four doors on a narrow wheelbase make it tight to get in and out of either the front or rear seats. Entering and exiting may be snug, but the cargo space is roomy. The CLA250 actually has more cargo room than most of its competitors, with 13.1 cubic feet in the trunk. However, that is less than in last year’s model.

The CLA250’s engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which Cars.com found to be sluggish at lower speeds. Cars.com points out that “the classy, upscale interior and sophisticated body control” make the CLA250 appealing despite its snug space and odd transmission.

The interior showcases high-quality materials and provides a luxury experience. The finishes are handled in the same manner as the pricier Mercedes-Benz models. The cabin has a futuristic look with two screens in the dashboard, a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Both can be upgraded to 10.25 inches.

The infotainment system operates with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience system, which also appears in other Mercedes-Benz models. That includes augmented-reality features within the navigation system. The car is supposed to respond to verbal commands when triggered by “Hey Mercedes.” Oddly, it wakes up whenever the word “Mercedes” is said, which can be annoying.

A number of safety features are available, but most are not standard. The CLA250 includes forward automatic brake assist, keyless start, an attention monitor, and a backup camera as standard features. Other safety features are optional within an expensive package, including distance-keeping cruise control, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active steering assist, blind-spot assist, and lane-keep assist. Also optional are automatic parallel and perpendicular parking assist.

The goofy key problem

Keyless start is included as a standard feature. The key is intended to stay in your pocket. Starting the car requires just stepping on the brake and pushing the Start/Stop button on the dashboard. However, keyless entry is only available as one of the extra, optional features. This means drivers do need to take the key out to unlock the car but then don’t need it anymore to start the car.

The price of a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 has a starting price of $36,650. The 2020 CLA250 4MATIC, which adds all-wheel drive in place of front-wheel drive, has a starting price of $38,650. There are numerous packages that can drive the price up. Packages range from $2,600 for AMG Line style to $2,250 for the Driver Assistance Package, which provides 12 safety features.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 offers a more affordable way to get into a Mercedes-Benz. More buyers have access to a luxury car with good handling. Despite being one of the lower-priced options from the brand, there are many optional features that increase the price. The optional keyless entry is one of these features. Called Keyless Go, the feature is standard on other Mercedes-Benz models.