Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. BMW 1 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and BMW 1 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the BMW 1 Series.
In comparing the Mercedes-Benz CLA's and the BMW 1 Series's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz CLA has the advantage in the area of interior volume. The BMW 1 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz CLA's and the BMW 1 Series's specifications and ratings, the BMW 1 Series is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Pricing: A used 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA ranges from $44,617 to $52,783 while a used 2013 BMW 1 Series is priced between $8,189 to $22,991.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s base engine makes 221 horsepower, and the BMW 1 Series base engine makes 230 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz CLA has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 1 Series has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$44,850 - $62,133
Starting MSRP:
$43,200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$58,130
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$38,800 - $98,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$31,200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$48,370
Price Range:
$44,617 - $52,783
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$67,794
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$47,250 - $119,964
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,700
Price Range:
$8,189 - $22,991
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
54
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
74,336
# Good or Great Deals:
19
Mercedes-Benz CLA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW 1 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz CLA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
11.1 - 13
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 1 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
2.1 - 10.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mercedes-Benz CLA Rankings
Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
22 out of / 36BMW 1 Series Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mercedes-Benz CLA Trim Levels
AMG CLA 35, AMG CLA 45 S, CLA 250, CLA 250 4MATIC
BMW 1 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
221 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
230 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 28 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
266 / 392 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
11.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
10 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3494 lbs
Width:
78.7 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
184.6 inches
Wheelbase:
107.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3208 lbs
Width:
76.1 inches
Height:
56 inches
Length:
172.2 inches
Wheelbase:
104.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/50R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Hyper Blue Metallic / Starling Blue Metallic
Gray
Mountain Grey Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
White
Digital White Metallic / Polar White
Beige
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Water Metallic / Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Le Mans Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic / Space Gray Metallic
Red
Vermilion Red Metallic
Silver
Titanium Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White
Beige
Cashmere Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Brown
Brown w/ Grey Stitching
Gray
Titanium Grey/Black
Red
Classic Red/Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Savanna Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Terracotta
Gray
Oyster / Taupe
Red
Coral Red