By Aurelia Mbokazi
AI will either be the undoing of us all or take us into a wonderful new dimension, depending on whom you ask. As a late adopter who has discovered how much easier it can make my professional and personal life, I appreciate both its brilliance and its flaws. Sometimes it understands exactly what you need.
Sometimes I behave like the drunk uncle who always quotes Shakespear once they get tipsy and does things that are completely out of character, leaving you confused and asking yourself what the heck…
We had both sides of AI on a recent drive of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 200.
Organised through the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists for Car of the Year jurors, the outing took us from Mercedes-Benz’s Pretoria headquarters to Cullinan and back. It was a leisurely introduction to a car whose intelligence was as much a talking point as its looks.
And those looks deserve attention. The sleek profile, sculpted shoulders and distinctive star-shaped lights had me admiring it before we set off. Schoolchildren supplied their own verdict along the route, turning, pointing and whistling as we passed. Clearly, it was a hit and a noticeable one at that.
Interior
Inside, the panoramic glass roof adds an airy feeling, while screens stretch across the dashboard. Our car included a passenger display, offering games such as Angry Birds. My co-driver and I, both mothers to teenagers, immediately imagined the approval of our teenagers, although some entertainment functions were unavailable while moving. Our visions of uninterrupted passenger gaming were short-lived.
Innovation
The bigger attraction was the AI-powered MBUX Virtual Assistant. Through Mercedes-Benz’s new operating system, it can hold conversations, follow up on questions and help find places of interest. There is something appealing about asking the car to explain its features while experiencing them, rather than trying to remember everything from a presentation.
When it responded, the possibilities were exciting. At other times, our assistant went completely quiet. There was some joking afterwards that it had been more forthcoming with male voices. In our car, occupied by two women, its enthusiasm was certainly inconsistent. Hardly a scientific finding, but enough to keep us amused.
Apparently, the meaning of life was a popular question in other cars. My co-driver and I had no interest in asking AI about the meaning of life, a subject we have lived experience in as middle-aged women. Also, we had our own issues and similarities which occupied the majority of our conversation: raising teenagers in 2026, remembering the drama we gave our parents and wondering whether this was payback time.
The Drive
The CLA proved a lovely setting for that conversation. Responsive and enjoyable to drive, our petrol mild-hybrid version made the journey feel effortless. Between our constant chatter, the assistant’s occasional contributions and the sounds accompanying acceleration, we never properly explored the sound system.
For all its digital ambition, there is still some figuring out to do inside the CLA. Technology should make life easier, and an unanswered question can quickly interrupt the magic.
Yet I finished the drive wanting more time with it. The comfort, striking design and conversational technology make an appealing combination. I would happily explore that relationship further, although the meaning of life can wait. I still have teenagers to raise.
Pricing
The Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 is priced at R937 000, including VAT and a five-year/100 000 km service and maintenance plan, but excluding CO₂ tax.
