In recent years, Mercedes-Benz->ke187 made huge steps toward expanding its vehicle lineup. Its new products not only gave the Germans access to previously unexplored markets, but also helped create completely new segments. One such model was the CLA.->ke3130 Introduced in 2013 as a smaller and affordable proposition to the sleek CLS,->ke539 the CLA was a huge success in both Europe and the U.S. in its first two years on the market. In 2014, Mercedes added a wagon to the CLA lineup, calling it the Shooting Brake.

Also a smaller version of the CLS Shooting Brake, the coupe-styled compact wagon received an AMG->ke8 version in 2015, powered by the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in the A45 AMG. For 2016, the CLA Shooting Brake received the more powerful engine from the facelifted hot-hatch. Only a year has passed since then, and Mercedes has prepared yet another upgrade for the Shooting Brake.

Unveiled alongside its standard sibling and sedan versions, the AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake receives its first mid-cycle facelift. Not surprisingly, modifications are mild and include revised bumper sections, new wheels, and new trim for the interior. Unfortunately, there is no word whether the Shooting Brake will finally come to the U.S. or not. Given that most automakers have quit selling wagons Stateside, chances are this sleek grocery getter won't cross the pond to the U.S. for many years to come. Still, the CLA45 Shooting Brake is a unique vehicle worth checking out and that's exactly what we'll do in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake.

Exterior

Styling-wise, this facelift is as mild as they get, but the sleek AMG-badged wagon has quite a few revised features to brag about once you take a closer took. Up front, the most noticeable change is the A-wing design bumper (already seen on most recent Mercedes updates) with a matte titanium grey splitter and high-gloss black inserts around the side and lower air intakes.

Around back, the only modification is the new diffuser, which now has four vertical fins and incorporates the exhaust pipes. On the previous model, Mercedes offered a three-fin diffuser flanked by exhaust outlets integrated into the apron. Needless to say, last year's model seemed sportier with the old diffuser, but the new design is more appropriate for a wagon.

Customers who aren't satisfied with the standard model can now opt for the AMG Aerodynamics package, which adds a larger front splitter, revised bumper intakes, a black lip spoiler, and black accents over the simulated air outlets on the rear bumper.

Finally, AMG prepared new wheels for the Shooting Brake, starting with the standard 18-inch, ten-spoke rims painted either titanium grey or black and with a high-sheen finish. Optionally, customers can have 19-inch cross-spoke, light-alloy wheels in either matte black or titanium grey, both with a high-sheen rim flange.

Interior

The interior of the pre-facelifted Shooting Brake was also carried over with minor changes, but that's a good thing, as it represents the perfect balance between sportiness and elegance. Changes include red contrast topstitching and a new AMG trim with a matte finish and polished surfaces with the AMG logo. The upholstery can be had with either red or silver highlights. Also new is the optional AMG Dinamica Interior package with revised trim and a Dinamica AMG Performance steering wheel.

Everything else remained the same, meaning the facelift comes with sporty seats, a touchscreen with AMG start-up screen and Racetimer stopwatch, brushed stainless steel AMG sill panels, AMG floor mats, and brushed stainless steel sports pedals. Options include the AMG Exclusive and AMG Night packages among many other stand-alone features.

Drivetrain

Nothing changed under the hood, where the CLA45 Shooting Break sports the same drivetrain as the 2016 model. As a brief reminder, the turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-banger had its output increased from 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque to 375 horses and 350 pound-feet in the Shooting Brake as a result of an upgrade in the Mercedes-AMG A45 hot-hatch. The engine mates to AMG’s familiar seven-speed, Speedshift DCT transmission and a performance-oriented 4Matic all-wheel-drive system with a three-stage ESP and ESP Curve Dynamic Assist. Charging from 0 to 62 mph takes 4.3 seconds, a tenth-second slower than the sedan, while top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph.

Safety

The safety features are carried over from last year's model and include the advanced eight-airbag system that offers 10-way occupant protection. The package consists of dual, two-stage front air bags, front side-impact head/torso air bags, dual front knee air bags, and side curtain air bags for both seating rows. Other features include adaptive braking technology, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Brake Assist (BAS), Attention Assist, Antilock Braking (ABS), an advanced tire pressure monitoring system, and a three-stage Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Prices

Pricing information for the updated AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake is not yet available, but the facelifted wagon should cost significantly more than the outgoing model, which retails from £42,545 (about $61,580). While the upgraded sedan will arrive in the U.S. by the end of 2016, the Shooting Brake model won't be offered on this side of the pond.

Competition

Audi RS4 Avant

Sleeker than the average wagon, the AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake competes in a league of its own. However, if you're looking for alternative, you should check out the RS4 Avant. When it returns to the market, that is, because Audi has yet to launch the new model based on the redesigned A4 and the previous version is no longer for sale. Details are slim as of this writing, but word has it Audi plans to replace the previous 4.2-liter V-8 with a twin-turbo, 3.6-liter V-6. The new S4 Avant uses a similar powerplant rated at 354 horsepower and 368 pound-feet, meaning the RS4 Avant could benefit from up to 400 horsepower, significantly more than the AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake.

Find out more about the upcoming Audi RS4 Avant here.

Conclusion

The facelift might not bring many new features to the CLA45 Shooting Brake, but the German wagon remains as attractive as the first day it arrived in dealerships. The main reasons for that are the fact that it already received an engine upgrade in 2015 and that its body configuration makes it unique on the market. On top of that, it brings together sportiness, practicality, and some of the bling you get with larger Mercedes-AMG models. Its drawbacks remain the same: the interior could look better and the price premium over the hatchback is pretty big.