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Mercedes CLA vs Tesla Model 3

Mercedes CLA vs Tesla Model 3

The Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model 3 are compact premium electric sedans. Both target buyers moving from entry luxury ICE cars into EVs. The CLA focuses on efficiency, design, and comfort. The Model 3 centers on software, performance, and a simplified interior.

Range and charging show different strengths. The CLA EV targets up to about 750 km WLTP with a strong efficiency focus. The Model 3 delivers around 513 to 629 km WLTP depending on variant. Charging favors the CLA on paper with an 800V system supporting around 250 kW DC fast charging. The Model 3 uses a 400V system with peak rates near 170–250 kW depending on version, backed by access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.

Price positioning keeps both in the entry premium bracket. The Model 3 starts lower in most markets, while the CLA EV sits slightly higher due to brand positioning and newer platform tech. The Model 3 has broad global availability. The CLA EV is rolling out gradually across Europe and other regions. This comparison helps you decide between proven software and charging network access or newer efficiency gains with a more traditional luxury approach.

Within Mercedes-Benz, EV options include the EQA, EQB, EQE, and EQS. Within Tesla, the lineup includes the Model Y, Model S, and Model X. Rivals to the CLA EV include the BMW i4 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. The Model 3 also competes with the Polestar 2 and BYD Seal.

The CLA EV offers high efficiency, long projected range, and a refined interior, but it comes with higher expected pricing and limited early availability. The Model 3 delivers strong performance, mature software features, and wide charging access, though cabin materials are simpler and ride quality can feel firm on some trims.

QUICK VERDICT
Pick the CLA EV for efficiency, range, and a more traditional premium cabin. Choose the Model 3 for software, charging network access, and proven real-world use.

Related EV Comparsions

	Mercedes-Benz CLA Tesla Model 3

Price	$49,000.00 $43,000.00
Our Rating	6.0 8.2
Brand	MERCEDES TESLA
Category	Cars Cars

MODEL

Models

Mercedes CLA 200
Mercedes CLA 250+
Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC Tesla Model 3 Standard Range
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD
Tesla Model 3 Long Range
Tesla Model 3 Performance

LAUNCH

Announced	2025, March 13 2023, September 01 - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 2024, July 11 - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD 2023, September 01 - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 2024, April 23 - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Status	Available to order. Released 2025, May Available to order. Released 2023, October - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Available to order. Released 2024, July - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD Available to order. Released 2023, October - Tesla Model 3 Long Range Available to order. Released 2024, April - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Country of origin	Germany United States
Base Price	€ 49,400 - Mercedes CLA 200 € 55,900 £ 45,600 - Mercedes CLA 250+ € 60,400 - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC € 43,000 - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range $ 42,500 - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD $ 47,500 € 52,000 - Tesla Model 3 Long Range $ 53,000 € 58,500 £ 60,000 - Tesla Model 3 Performance

PERFORMANCE

Power	RWD 224 hp (165 kW) - Mercedes CLA 200 RWD 272 hp (200 kW) - Mercedes CLA 250+ AWD 354 hp (260 kW) - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC RWD 283 hp (208 kW) - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range RWD -Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD AWD 498 hp (366 kW) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD 625 hp (460 kW) - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Torque	247 lb-ft (335 Nm) - Mercedes CLA 200 335 Nm (247 lb-ft) - Mercedes CLA 250+ 515 Nm (380 lb-ft) - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 493 Nm (364 lb-ft) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 741 Nm (547 lb-ft) - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Acceleration The acceleration numbers are an easy way to compare car performance. We list either time from 0 to 100 km/h or time from 0 to 60mph, depending on which number(s) the manufacturers provide. The lower the acceleration time, the higher performance the car is.	7.5 sec 0-62 mph - Mercedes CLA 200 6.7 sec 0-62 mph - Mercedes CLA 250+ 4.9 sec 0-62 mph - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC 5.8 sec 0-60 mph (6.1 sec 0-62 mph) - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 4.9 sec 0-60 mph - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD 4.2 sec 0-60 mph (4.4 sec 0-62 mph) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 2.9 sec 0-60 mph (3.1 sec 0-62 mph) - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Max Speed	130 mph (210 km/h) 125 mph (201 km/h) - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 125 mph (201 km/h) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD 125 mph (201 km/h) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 163 mph (262 km/h) - Tesla Model 3 Performance
transmission	2-speed automatic Single-speed

BATTERY

Capacity	58 kWh usable - Mercedes CLA 200 85 kWh usable - Mercedes CLA 250+ 85 kWh usable - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC 57.3 kWh usable, 60 kWh total -Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 78 kWh total - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD 78 kWh total - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 78 kWh total - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Tech	Liquid-cooled Li-ion NCM (800V type) Liquid-cooled Li-ion 360V LFP battery - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Liquid-cooled Li-Ion NCM (400V type) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD Liquid-cooled Li-Ion NCM (400V type) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range Liquid-cooled Li-ion NCM (400V type) - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Range	336 mi WLTP - Mercedes CLA 200 492 mi WLTP - Mercedes CLA 250+ 479 mi WLTP - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC 272 mi EPA (319 mi WLTP) - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 436 mi WLTP (363 mi EPA) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD 421 mi WLTP (342 mi EPA) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 328 mi WLTP (296 mi EPA) - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Consumption	196 Wh/mi WLTP - Mercedes CLA 200 196 Wh/mi WLTP - Mercedes CLA 250+ 201 Wh/mi WLTP - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC 212 Wh/mi WLTP - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 225 Wh/mi WLTP (260 Wh/mi EPA) - Tesla Model 3 Long Range 269 Wh/mi WLTP - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Recuperation	Yes 1 level, no coasting, no regen when pedal braking
Heat Pump
AC Charging	Type 2 11 kW, 0-100% in 6 hours 30 min - Mercedes CLA 200 Type 2 11 kW, 10-100% in 9 hours - Mercedes CLA 250+ Type 2 11 kW, 10-100% in 9 hours - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC Type 2 11 kW, 0-100% in 7 hours 33 min - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Type 2 11 kW, 0-100% in 8 hours 15 min - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD Type 2 11 kW, 0-100% in 8 hours 15 min - Tesla Model 3 Long Range Type 2 11 kW - Tesla Model 3 Performance
DC Charging	CCS 200 kW max, 10-80% in 20 min - Mercedes CLA 200 CCS 320 kW max, 10-80% in 22 min - Mercedes CLA 250+ CCS 320 kW max, 10-80% in 22 min - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC Supercharger V3 170 kW max -Tesla Model 3 Standard Range CCS 170 kW max Supercharger V3 250 kW max - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD CCS 250 kW max Supercharger V3 250 kW max - Tesla Model 3 Long Range CCS 250 kW max Supercharger V3 250 kW max - Tesla Model 3 Performance CCS 250 kW max
Others	Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)

BODY

Type	4 door sedan, 5 seats 4 door sedan, 5 seats
Platform	MB MMA
Dimensions	185.9 x 73.0 x 57.8 in (4723 x 1855 x 1468 mm) 4720 x 1933 x 1441 mm (185.8 x 76.1 x 56.7 in)
Drag Co-Efficient	0.21 Cd 0.219 Cd
Wheelbase	109.8 in (2790 mm) 2875 mm (113.2 in)
Clearance	138 mm (5.4 in)
Weight	EU: 2045 kg unladen, 2500 kg gross - Mercedes CLA 200 EU: 2055 kg unladen, 2510 kg gross - Mercedes CLA 250+ EU: 2135 kg unladen, 2575 kg gross - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC EU: 1765 kg unladen -Tesla Model 3 Standard Range EU: 1822 kg unladen - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD EU: 1828 kg unladen, 2263 kg gross - Tesla Model 3 Long Range EU: 1929 kg unladen, 2271 kg gross - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Suspension	Three-link front axle, multi-link rear axle Front double wishbone-type coil spring, rear multi-link
Wheels	R17, R18, R19 R18, R19
Trunk/Boot	EU: 14.3 ft³ EU: 682 l - Tesla Model 3 Standard Range EU: 594 l - Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD EU: 594 l - Tesla Model 3 Long Range EU: 594 l - Tesla Model 3 Performance
Frunk/Bonnet	3.6 ft³ 88 l
Towing	EU: 750 kg unbraked, 1500 kg braked - Mercedes CLA 200 EU: 750 kg unbraked, 1500 kg braked - Mercedes CLA 250+ EU: 750 kg unbraked, 1800 kg braked - Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC EU: 1000 kg unbraked

DISPLAYS

Centre	14" touchscreen 15.4" touchscreen
Driver's Display	10.3" No
Head-Up	Yes No
Others	14" passenger display 8" rear passengers touchscreen display

COMFORT

Seats	Heated front seats Heated and ventilated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats
Roof	Panoramic glass sunroof All-glass roof
Parking Aids	Front and rear sensors, 360 camera, reversing camera, self parking, remote parking assist Front, side, rear cameras, Parking Assist
Others	360˚ acoustic glass

SAFETY

Airbags	Front, side, rear, center, head airbag system 8 airbags: front, side, rear, head airbag system, front seats knee airbags
Driving Aids	5 radars, 8 cameras, 12 sensors. Traffic sign assistant, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active distance assistant, Adaptive high beam assistant, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Pedestrian warning function in the area of zebra crossings, Active Emergency Stop Assist 3 front, 2 side and 3 rear cameras (up to 250m object detection). Automatic Emergency Braking, Dynamic Brake Lights, Lane Assist, Collision Avoidance Assist, Speed Assist, Lane Departure Avoidance, Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control
Self Driving	Autopilot with full Self-Driving capability

Note

Others	02 October 2024: Model 3 Standard Range is discontinued in USA 10 January 2024: Initial release price 38,990 USD 01 September 2023: Initial release price 42,990 EUR
disclaimer	We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.