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Kia EV6 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trimAir361 mi · 84 kWh · £45,635
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia EV6 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 Kia EV6 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
Kia
6.7
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Kia
8.2
Mercedes-Benz
9
FamilyKia
Kia
7.2
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
ChargingKia
Kia
8.4
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Kia
6.6
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
Kia
3.4
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
- 123 miles more WLTP range
- 62 kW faster rapid charging
- 32 kW more power
- 1.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.4 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,635 | £45,615 (better) |
| Official range | 361 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 18 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 7.7 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Kia EV6
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
Kia EV64,695mm-28mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Width
Kia EV61,890mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-35mm
Height
Kia EV61,550mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-82mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,695 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,890 mm | 1,855 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,141 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 510 mm spare | 545 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1300 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 52 L | 101 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,800 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia EV6
- 361 mile WLTP range, longer than 80% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 258 kW, faster than 85% of SUVs in our catalogue.
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 |  Kia EV6 Air |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.70m | 4.72m+28mm |
| Width | 1.89m | 1.85m-35mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.14m | Not available |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.47m-82mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.79m-110mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1300L | Not available |
| Frunk | 52L | 101L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.6m | 11.21m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,055kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,800kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 84kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 361 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 258kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,635 | £45,615 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 361 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 301 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 18 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 258 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 84 kWh | 85 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | Not available |
| 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 | Kia EV6Air | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.7 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 168 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 350 Nm (better) | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Kia EV6
Air
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 - Kia EV6 Air
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users64%
Safety Assist87%
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)
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, real-world range, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Kia EV6
Air
Owners love
- Impressive fast charging capability with 800V architecture enables 10-80% charge in 18-23 minutes at rapid chargers, significantly faster than most competitors
- Excellent real-world range of 250-280 miles in typical conditions with larger 84kWh battery, suitable for long-distance travel and daily commuting
- Striking, modern design with high-quality interior materials and attention to detail that rivals premium brands like Audi and Mercedes
Watch out for
- Significant real-world efficiency variance depending on driving conditions and weather—motorway speeds and winter temperatures reduce range to 2.2-3.3 mi/kWh versus summer efficiency of 3.7-4.2 mi/kWh
- Infotainment system lags compared to best-in-class alternatives with excessive menu diving required; navigation-based battery preconditioning not yet implemented
- Overly intrusive driver assistance features with constant speed-limit beeping and lane-keep assist causing steering shimmy; many owners immediately disable these systems
Owner tips
- Choose AWD dual-motor variant over single-motor RWD; the 226hp base model feels underpowered despite adequate 0-62 time, while dual-motor delivers significantly better performance and wet-weather stability
- Select 19-inch wheels over 20-inch for noticeably better ride quality and efficiency; avoid 21-22 inch options that increase road noise and reduce comfort
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Owners love
- Competitive pricing in the £45-51k bracket against Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3
- 484-mile WLTP range is competitive with traditional petrol sedans
- Smooth, quiet driving experience with responsive handling and comfortable ride quality
Watch out for
- 800V-only design incompatible with majority of existing 400V rapid chargers across UK networks, significantly limiting public charging access
- Real-world range likely 320 miles rather than 484 miles WLTP claim, reducing practical usability on longer trips
- Scheduled charging feature missing at launch on CLA 250+, unlike other Mercedes EVs, with fixes delayed until 2026 OTA updates
Owner tips
- Verify 800V charger availability on your regular routes and confirm Mercedes charging network coverage before purchase, as 400V chargers are incompatible
- Use Mercedes Me app and onboard navigation for trip planning rather than third-party tools like ABRP, which cannot filter by 800V compatibility
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia EV6
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV6 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is £20 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £160 for the Kia EV6, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the two land within £220 of each other - effectively the same to own. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 301 miles for the Kia EV6 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 103 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV6 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 35 mm narrower than the Kia EV6. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 510 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV6. The Mercedes-Benz CLA also turns in a 0.4 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 Kia EV6 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 Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among long-range EVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Kia EV6 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 .