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November 19, 2025
Welcome to the Money254 Car Series — where we spotlight car owners across Kenya and their experiences behind the wheel. From first-time buyers to seasoned motorists, we dig into the motivations, costs, lessons, and joys of owning different car models in Kenya today.
This week, we feature Edwin, a Nairobi-based professional who owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220.
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It’s a feeling I chased since childhood: the solid, unmistakable thud of a Mercedes-Benz door closing. For the past 18 months, I have lived the modern version of this dream driving my sleek 2015 CLA 220.
Choosing the Ksh2.7 million CLA 220 was a highly personal decision, driven primarily by the love of the Mercedes brand.
Beyond the badge, the CLA 220 is an excellent daily driver, offering a good balance of features that matter most for regular use: good fuel efficiency combined with a beautiful driving experience.
The CLA 220 is primarily for my daily commute, spending most of its time navigating the city environment. While it is not intended for off-roading, its versatility is surprisingly rugged—the car is equipped with a steel sumpguard, offering peace of mind if rough terrain is unavoidable, though it is certainly not the preferred environment.
One of the most appealing aspects of the car is its fuel economy. Powered by a 2.0L diesel engine, the consumption is consistently impressive, typically achieving 15 to 18 kilometers per liter (km/l) in mixed driving conditions. For a powerful car of this segment, those numbers are a significant win, putting down the illusion that Reman vehicles are automatically guzzlers.
The maintenance philosophy for this Mercedes is characteristic of the premium segment: high quality means fewer frequent issues, but high costs when they do occur.
The regular service interval is generous. The routine 10,000 kilometres pushes me for about 10 months. Thankfully, there have been no common or recurring repairs associated with the car. However, when a part breaks down or needs replacing, the service costs are generally high.
Sourcing parts falls into the medium difficulty bracket. Most parts can be obtained locally, but for specialized or hard-to-find components, the process of importing through online platforms has proven to be a mostly seamless and reliable fallback option.
If there were one area for improvement, it would be the classic sports coupe drawback: the low ground clearance. This design feature, while contributing to the CLA’s sharp handling and low-slung aesthetic, makes it less suited for rough terrains.
For a daily city driver that sometimes has to navigate less-than-perfect roads, this is the main aspect I wish were different. Thankfully, the car is equipped with a steel sumpguard (which I definitely recommend for any low car in Nairobi), offering some peace of mind if rough terrain is unavoidable, though it is certainly not the preferred environment.
Ultimately, the CLA 220 successfully delivers on its promise: style, handling, and diesel efficiency wrapped up in a package that is consistent with the Mercedes experience. You just have to be prepared for the price tag when the garage bill finally arrives.
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