Add in a really aggressive value, and this was why we determined to maintain the Mannequin 3 in place for the second yr in a row as our high choose within the Mid-size Company Car of the Year class of the 2025 Auto Categorical New Car Awards.
Tester’s notes
Tesla homeowners can nonetheless think about themselves spoiled rotten by their entry to the good Supercharger network. It’s by far the simplest public charger system to make use of, speeds are nice and the automobile can precondition its battery to be able to optimise cost speeds on arrival.
Costs fluctuate based on demand on any given website, however they typically value far lower than the opposite widespread charging networks reminiscent of Gridserve and Ionity, too. And better of all, you don’t have to faff about with a bank card; the vitality you employ is paid off through direct debit every month.
Head-to-head
On the street
The Mercedes feels fantastically engineered, with refinement, dealing with and powertrain set-ups completely in tune. It’s the experience high quality that’s the CLA’s standout function, although; it feels extra comfy than lots of the model’s bigger fashions. The Tesla is a a lot better automobile to drive since mid-life updates; refinement is a match for the CLA’s, however its experience is much less completed and its steering and dealing with really feel reasonably unnatural.
Tech highlights
Two technical options assist the CLA stand out towards its rivals. First is the inclusion of a two-speed gearbox that makes use of its second gear on a cruise to enhance high-speed effectivity. The second comes from its 800-volt charging structure that enables top-ups of as much as 320kW, including 200 miles of vary in 10 minutes. The Mannequin 3 isn’t precisely tardy in relation to charging, both, with a most fee of 250kW.
Worth and operating
We’ve pushed the Mannequin 3 numerous instances through the years, and one of many reoccurring developments is that it at all times leads the best way for effectivity. Nevertheless, it’s met its match with the CLA, which achieved an outstanding 4.1mi/kWh through the cool circumstances of our check, pipping the Tesla (admittedly with a dual-motor set-up) by 0.3mi/kWh. The CLA’s bigger battery means it’ll cowl 351 miles on a cost to the Tesla’s 285 miles.
Practicality
Each vehicles are compromised by their saloon bodystyles in relation to carrying cumbersome gadgets. Whereas the CLA’s boot is barely smaller than the Mannequin 3’s, its opening is far bigger, which makes it somewhat extra versatile. Each have roomy entrance boots, although. The Tesla is a bit more spacious for rear-seat passengers, however restricted foot room beneath the entrance seats makes it much less accommodating than it may have been.
Security
The CLA is but to be examined by Euro NCAP, however Mercedes has an outstanding security file, so we’d count on that to proceed right here. Tesla additionally offers a constantly sturdy displaying in NCAP’s exams, and a 2025 reassessment for the Mannequin 3 (it scored 5 stars in 2019) maintained that score to rank it among the many finest vehicles of the yr for security throughout all 4 classes, significantly within the Driver Help part.
Possession
Each manufacturers carried out strongly in our 2025 Driver Power proprietor survey, with Tesla comfortably within the high half of the desk in eleventh, and Mercedes scooping second. Whereas Tesla charging is a breeze at house or on the go, the CLA can not schedule expenses but to benefit from low cost in a single day electrical energy, neither is it appropriate with the numerous 400-volt public chargers. Fixes for each are on the best way.
Verdict
Winner: Mercedes CLA
After a really underwhelming early interval for the corporate’s EV line-up, the CLA seems like an enormous turning level for Mercedes. It appears to have realized from lots of the shortcomings of its earlier fashions and put that data to good use this time round.
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