The order books for the new Mercedes CLA-Class have been opened, with prices starting from £24,355 on the road.

The compact and sleek four-door saloon blends coupe-like looks with a sizeable boot and the ability to carry five, in a package aimed at younger drivers with a penchant for sportier styling.

As such the range is split into two similar trim lines; Sport and AMG Sport, emphasising the importance of the CLA's sporty driving pretentions. There are just two engine choices available though, with neither the 1.6-litre petrol nor the 2.1-litre diesel offering the performance to match the style.

While the petrol version starts at the range entry price the diesel, which is the lowest-emitting of the two for carbon dioxide with 117g/km, is a whopping £5,000 more expensive at the same trim level.

Standard equipment on the Sport includes attention monitoring, parking and automated braking assist systems, Bluetooth, sat-nav pre-wiring, dual zone climate control and, on the outside, twin polished exhaust pipes. The Sport, contrary to its name, also rides on `Comfort Suspension'.

Conversely the AMG Sport model switches to `Sport Suspension' crowned with five-spoke AMG alloy wheels, plus a different grille design, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, grippier upholstery and a subtle AMG body kit.

Upgrading to AMG Sport from the lower level adds £2,200, making the most expensive model the diesel AMG Sport, with a price tag of £31,555.

There are also a host of options and option packs, although with the interior-lifting Exclusive Pack almost £2,000 on Sport models these don't come cheap.