The Mercedes-Benz compact executive car that debuted in 2013 was the CLA-Class.
The first-generation CLA, internally designated C117, was a four-door fastback marketed by Mercedes-Benz as a coupé. It was based on the front-wheel-drive platform used by the A-Class and B-Class, giving the brand a smaller, more affordable alternative to the larger C-Class.
Mercedes-Benz positioned the CLA above the A-Class in its range, while its sleek roofline and frameless-door styling gave it a more sporting identity. The model first went on sale in Europe in April 2013 and reached the United States later that year.
A common mix-up is calling the CLA simply another C-Class. The two cars occupy different positions: the CLA is a subcompact executive model, while the C-Class is a larger compact executive car. In 2015, Mercedes expanded the first-generation range with the five-door CLA Shooting Brake estate.