Mercedes-Benz CLA vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz CLS 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 Mercedes-Benz CLS.
When comparing the Mercedes-Benz CLA's and the Mercedes-Benz CLS's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz CLA has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Mercedes-Benz CLS has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz CLA's and the Mercedes-Benz CLS's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 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 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS is priced between $69,038 to $86,995. For a new model, the Mercedes-Benz CLA's price is between $44,850 and $62,133, with the Mercedes-Benz CLS priced between $82,260 and $95,020.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mercedes-Benz CLA loses 41.9 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz CLS loses 55.6 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz CLA retains 13.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mercedes-Benz CLA is 7.4 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz CLS's quality rating is 7.5 out of 10. This results in the Mercedes-Benz CLA being ranked 17 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Mercedes-Benz CLS being ranked 9 out of 24 Best Luxury Large Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mercedes-Benz CLA is 7.0 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz CLS the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Mercedes-Benz CLS a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s base engine makes 221 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz CLS base engine makes 362 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz CLS, a large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz CLA, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the area of front 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:
$82,260 - $95,020
Starting MSRP:
$76,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$96,574
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$70,200 - $123,900
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:
$76,504
Price Range:
$69,038 - $86,995
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$97,447
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$67,438 - $142,992
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$18,514
Depreciation %:
42.9%
Resale Value $:
$24,686
Residual Value %:
57.1%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
42.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
40% - 44%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$42,433
Depreciation %:
55.5%
Resale Value $:
$34,067
Residual Value %:
44.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Large Cars)
51.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
39.2% - 55.5%
Mercedes-Benz CLA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz CLS Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
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 Mercedes-Benz CLS
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
9.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
6.7 - 12.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.4%
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:
2.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.7 - 72.8
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 / 36Mercedes-Benz CLS Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 24Ranking
22 out of / 24Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
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
Mercedes-Benz CLS Trim Levels
CLS 450 4MATIC
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 / 50000 miles
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:
362 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.085 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:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 30 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
464 / 633 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
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:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
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:
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
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:
36.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
11.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.0 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:
4255 lbs
Width:
81.5 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
196.4 inches
Wheelbase:
115.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
3.7 inches
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:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R19
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
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Cote d'Azur Light Blue Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Mystic Blue Metallic / Starling Blue Metallic
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Arabian Grey / MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Selenite Grey Magno Matte / MANUFAKTUR Teide Light Grey Metallic / Selenite Grey Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic / Mojave Silver Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Cashmere White Magno Matte / MANUFAKTUR Diamond White Bright Metallic / Polar White
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Brown
Brown w/ Grey Stitching
Gray
Titanium Grey/Black
Red
Classic Red/Black
Blue
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige/Magma Grey / Magma Grey/Macchiato Beige / MANUFAKTUR Macchiato Beige/Titian Red
Black
Black
Brown
MANUFAKTUR Tartufo Brown/Black / Sienna Brown/Black
Gray
Neva Grey/Magma Grey
Red
MANUFAKTUR Classic Red/Black / MANUFAKTUR Titian Red/Macchiato Beige
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Yacht Blue/Black
White
MANUFAKTUR Deep White/Black
