Loading comparison
BMW iX3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trim40Change trim395 mi · 82.6 kWh · £53,250
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX3 leads on family practicality and charging speed, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX3 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLA if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.5p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Mercedes-Benz CLA leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMercedes-Benz
BMW
6.2
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
BMW
7.8
Mercedes-Benz
9
FamilyBMW
BMW
8
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
ChargingBMW
BMW
8.3
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
BMW
6.4
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
BMW
3.3
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- £7,635 cheaper
- 89 miles more WLTP range
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX340 | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £53,250 | £45,615 (better) |
| Official range | 395 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 520 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 21 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec (better) | 6.7 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW iX3
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
BMW iX34,782mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm-59mm
Width
BMW iX31,895mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-40mm
Height
BMW iX31,635mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-167mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX340 | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,895 mm | 1,855 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,093 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.1 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 505 mm spare | 545 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX340 | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1750 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 58 L | 101 L (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX3
- 395 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 300 kW, faster than 90% of SUVs in our catalogue.
- Uses 146 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 95% of SUVs we track.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
- A 101 L frunk, one of 7 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 101 L or more.
- 484 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of saloon EVs we track.
- At 4,723 mm, shorter than 85% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX3 40 |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.72m-59mm |
| Width | 1.90m | 1.85m-40mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.09m | Not available |
| Height | 1.64m | 1.47m-167mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.79m-106mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1750L | Not available |
| Frunk | 58L | 101L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.1m | 11.21m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,200kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 82.6kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 395 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 300kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,250 | £45,615 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX340 | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 395 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 293 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 21 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 300 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 146 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 82.6 kWh | 85 kWh (better) |
| Battery architecture | 800V | 800V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX340 | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec (better) | 6.7 sec |
| Power | 235 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Torque | 500 Nm (better) | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW iX3
40
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX3 40
Tested 2026
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users93%
Safety Assist85%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX3 worth the extra £7,635 over the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The BMW iX3 costs £7,635 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLA. For that premium it adds 115 litres more boot space and 35 kW more power. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is not just cheaper - it also offers 89 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX3 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is £7,635 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £160 for the BMW iX3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out roughly £7,835 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 293 miles for the BMW iX3 and 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 111 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX3 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 40 mm narrower than the BMW iX3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 505 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX3. The Mercedes-Benz CLA also turns in a 0.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW iX3 comparisons
More Mercedes-Benz CLA comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .