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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Nissan LEAF
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
Selected trimEngageChange trim375 mi · 75 kWh · £35,999
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the Nissan LEAF leads on family practicality and city driving.
Which should you choose?
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 need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Nissan LEAF if...
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- 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
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Nissan
6.3
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
Nissan
8.4
FamilyNissan
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Nissan
8.3
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Nissan
7
Cost Per Mile
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Nissan
9.4
Too close to call
City DrivingNissan
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
Nissan
6.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- 109 miles more WLTP range
- 170 kW faster rapid charging
- 40 kW more power
- 0.9s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £35,999 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 375 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 437 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.6 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Nissan LEAF
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Nissan LEAF4,350mm-373mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm
Nissan LEAF1,810mm-45mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-82mm
Nissan LEAF1,550mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,350 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm | 1,810 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,098 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 10.8 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare | 590 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 437 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1052 L |
| Frunk | 101 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 975 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
Nissan LEAF
- 375 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 4,350 mm, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Nissan LEAF Engage |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.35m-373mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.81m-45mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.10m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.55m+82mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.69m-100mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 437L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1052L |
| Frunk | 101L | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m | 10.8m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,883kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 975kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh (better) | 75kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 375 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £35,999 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £45,615 (not eligible) | £32,249 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 375 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 313 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh (better) | 75 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.6 sec |
| Power | 200 kW (better) | 160 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm | 355 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Nissan LEAF
Engage
7.9/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Parkers4.3/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
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 - 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)
Euro NCAP - Nissan LEAF Engage
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist71%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £9,616 over the Nissan LEAF?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £9,616 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 109 miles more WLTP range, 170 kW faster peak rapid charging and 40 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Nissan LEAF?
The Nissan LEAF is £9,616 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £120 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Nissan LEAF comes out roughly £9,536 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 313 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 91 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Nissan LEAF?
The Nissan LEAF is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 45 mm narrower than the Mercedes-Benz CLA. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 590 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The Nissan LEAF 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA comparisons
More Nissan LEAF 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan LEAF rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .