MERCEDES-BENZ has created yet another niche with the introduction of a wagon, or Shooting Brake, version of its swoopy CLA Coupe, making it the first compact luxury wagon on the Australian market.

We say compact, because the CLA comes off the same modular MFA platform as its A-Class, B-class and GLA-Class siblings, but, the CLA is classed as a mid-sizer in official VFACTS sales data, sitting in the same category as its C-Class stablemate, the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

Wherever it sits segment-wise, there is not a lot in the market for it to compete against. Buyers who are looking for the practicality of a compact wagon with out-there styling and a premium badge have few, if any, options.

Does the Shooting Brake enhance the CLA package, or is a case of style over substance?

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