Mercedes CLA or Tesla Model 3? Which is Better?

Mercedes launched its latest electric model a few days ago. Featuring 800V technology and Google Maps navigation, the new Mercedes CLA directly attacks the Tesla Model 3 having a similar size.

Mercedes has missed the running start with its electric range but is trying to make up lost ground and is directly attacking the Tesla Model 3 with the third-generation Mercedes CLA at a time when Tesla sales are falling and sedans are losing popularity even in the US market.

Almost the same size

If you look at the dimensions of the two models you’d think Mercedes copied Tesla. Or maybe it’s not pure coincidence?
At 4,723 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, and 1,468 mm high, the new Mercedes CLA is 3 mm longer, 5 mm wider, and 27 mm taller than the Model 3 while the 2,790 mm wheelbase is 85 mm shorter than the Tesla. The 2,790 mm wheelbase is extremely generous but falls short of Tesla’s due to Mercedes’ longer front end. A 1.5-liter four-cylinder ICE engine works at the front of the 48V mild hybrid models because Mercedes uses a multi-motors, MMA, platform and not a dedicated electric one like Tesla.

The trunk volume of the Mercedes CLA has dropped from 460 to 405 liters but the electric versions of the CLA have for the first time in a Mercedes a 101-liter frunk that not only fits cables but also travel bags.
By comparison, the Tesla Model 3 has a 425-liter trunk and an 88-liter frunk, so here again, it’s almost a draw: 506 liters in total for the Mercedes and 513 liters for the Tesla.

Versions and motors

After the facelift in fall 2023, the Tesla Model 3 has four versions: one with a small 60 kW Li-iron-phosphate battery and 208 kW (283 PS)/420 Nm rear motor and three with a large 75 kWh Li-ion battery: one Long Range with a 208 kW (283 PS) rear motor and two with two motors and 366 kW (498 PS) or 461 kW (627 PS).

The Mercedes CLA launched with two versions:
– CLA 250+ with 85 kWh net Li-Ion battery and a 200 kW (272 PS)/335 Nm rear motor
– CLA 350 4Matic with 85 kWh net Li-Ion battery and two motors with 260 kW (354 PS)/515 Nm in total

Later, Mercedes will offer a base version with a 58 kWh Li-iron phosphate battery that will compete with the base version of the Tesla Model 3 which has a 60 kWh battery with similar chemistry. But for now, Mercedes is not giving any details about this entry-level model so we will focus our comparison on the two Tesla Model 3 models with 283 PS and 498 PS.

Mercedes CLA 250+ vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range

The Mercedes CLA 250+ has a 10 kWh bigger battery than the Tesla Model 3 (85 kWh vs 75 kWh) and promises a range of at least 694 km (431 miles) with an energy consumption of 12.2 kWh/100 km. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range has a WLTP consumption of 12.5 kWh/100 km, giving it a range of 640 km (398 miles). In theory, Mercedes has the edge, but these figures have yet to be confirmed in real life, as the ranges of other Mercedes models are currently far from the official figures.

In any case, the new Mercedes CLA has good efficiency credentials with a record Cx of 0.21. The Tesla Model 3 isn’t bad in this respect either, with a Cx of 0.22. In contrast, the Mercedes is much heavier, weighing 2,055 kg (4,530 lbs) empty compared to just 1,747 kg (3,851 lbs) for the Tesla Long Range. The 308 kg (679 lbs) difference is not justified by the Mercedes’ only 10 kWh bigger battery, but the German model certainly has more equipment, the soundproof materials weigh more and the safety structure is probably more complex.

Mercedes surprised us, at least on paper, saying it offers more charging power than Tesla’s Model3: up to 320 kW at DC stations compared to 250 kW at Tesla’s. Mercedes says it charges the battery from 10 to 100% in just 22 minutes but Tesla doesn’t offer such a time. Instead, we can make another comparison: Mercedes says it charges a range of 285-325 km (177-202 miles) in 10 minutes, while Tesla needs 15 minutes to charge a range of 282 km (177 miles).

Mercedes CLA 250 accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 6.7 seconds while the Model 3 does the same in only 5.2 seconds due to the fact that it is lighter. Top speeds are close: 201 kph for the Tesla and 210 kph for the Mercedes.

Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

Here the situation changes, as Tesla’s power advantage is much bigger: 498 PS compared to only 354 PS in the Mercedes. Therefore, the Tesla reaches 100 kph in just 4.4 seconds compared to 4.9 seconds for the Mercedes. Here again, there’s an important weight difference: 1,828 kg (4,030 lbs) Tesla versus 2,135 kg (4,706 lbs) Mercedes, or 307 kg (677 lbs).

Thanks to a front-motor decoupling system that doesn’t work all the time, the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic’s energy consumption is only slightly higher than the single-motor version: 12.5kWh/100 km compared to 12,.2 kWh/100 km. Tesla, on the other hand, has an energy consumption of 14 kWh/100 km compared to 12.5 kWh/100 km for the Long Range. Of course in this case Tesla’s much bigger power surplus of 144 PS more counts.

Thus the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic displays a range of at least 672 km (417 miles) compared to 629 km (391 miles) for the Tesla. But then again, only reality will show whether the Mercedes goes longer between charges.

Design and interior

Mercedes has ditched the A-Class sedan and is hoping the four-door coupe silhouette will attract more customers than a sedan at a time when sedans are becoming less popular. Although the CLA concept had a revolutionary design, the production model retained the conservative lines of the previous-generation C118.

After the fall 2023 facelift, the Tesla Model 3 underwent a few design changes but annoyed a number of customers with ergonomics changes, seeing the two touch surfaces instead of turn signals.

Speaking of controls, the Tesla Model 3 focuses everything on the center laptop screen which isn’t appreciated by the more conservative who don’t want to adjust the mirrors with touch controls on the center screen.

Instead, Mercedes continues to go with the multi-screen idea (two standard, third for passenger optional). We know how Google works on the Tesla Model 3, but we can’t yet make an assessment for the Mercedes until the first test because it’s the first Mercedes with a 100% proprietary operating system and utilizing Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent for navigation and other Google apps. For example, Mercedes uses two AI assistants for voice command and search: Google Gemini and ChatGPT 4.0.

 

Pricing and market presence

Mercedes hasn’t announced a price for the CLA yet, but it’s hard to see it competing with Tesla. Model 3 Long Range starts at $44,130 and the two-motor Long Range starts at $49,130 on the US market.

In the German market, the single-motor Long Range starts at €45,970 and the Long Range AWD starts at €50,970.

It is hard to believe that Mercedes will even come close to these prices. Currently, the cheapest compact electric model, the Mercedes EQA, with older 400V technology and a much smaller 66 kWh battery, starts at €45,933.

For Mercedes, the hardest thing is regaining its image with electric models. Their reputation is very low due to the high prices and poor charging performance of the luxury EQE and EQS models. Therefore, many customers may not even consider the Mercedes option when considering an alternative to the Tesla Model 3.