10 Things I Learned During the Perfect Day at the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy

5. Not all Benzes are created equal

Or, more accurately, not all Benzes are created the same. Sure there are similarities from model to model and certain brand traits are maintained across the line, but hopping from one car into another all day long gives a unique perspective into just how different some of these cars are.

The SL is soft and squishy. The pedals don’t respond as quickly as in some of the other cars and the suspension is more comfort-oriented. It’s also surprisingly quiet inside and delivers an amazingly serene ride. So much so, you might not notice just how fast you’re approaching that corner or braking zone until you’re in over your head.

Still, most of the Benzes feel like variations of a theme while the CLA45 AMG stands out as a unique beast. It’s hard not to notice the boy-racer exhaust note and lack of isolation from the road relative to the other cars.

It feels light, nimble and unlike any other Benz either at the academy, or that I can remember.