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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs VW ID.3 Neo
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the VW ID.3 Neo leads on 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 most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the VW ID.3 Neo if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
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
VW
4.1
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
VW
6.2
FamilyMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
VW
4.3
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
VW
6.2
Cost Per Mile
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
VW
9.6
Too close to call
City DrivingVW
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
VW
7.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- 226 miles more WLTP range
- 220 kW faster rapid charging
- 75 kW more power
- 1.9s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £33,080 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 258 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L (better) | 385 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 24 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 8.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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Mercedes-Benz CLA
VW ID.3 Neo
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
VW ID.3 Neo4,287mm-436mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm
VW ID.3 Neo1,809mm-46mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-86mm
VW ID.3 Neo1,554mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,287 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm | 1,809 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,015 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare | 591 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L (better) | 385 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1267 L |
| Frunk | 101 L (better) | 0 L |
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.
VW ID.3 Neo
- 258 mile WLTP range, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 2,764 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  VW ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.29m-436mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.81m-46mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.55m+86mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.76m-26mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L (better) | 385L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1267L |
| Frunk | 101L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m | 10.2m (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh (better) | 50kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 258 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £33,080 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £45,615 (not eligible) | £31,580 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2026+ |
* VW ID.3 Neo: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-09. The 2025 five-star rating was for the ID.3 it replaces.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 258 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 215 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 24 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh (better) | 50 kWh |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 8.6 sec |
| Power | 200 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
VW ID.3 Neo
Life 50 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
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 - VW ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh
VW ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-09. The 2025 five-star rating was for the ID.3 it replaces.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3 Neo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £12,535 over the VW ID.3 Neo?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £12,535 more than the VW ID.3 Neo. For that premium it adds 226 miles more WLTP range, 220 kW faster peak rapid charging and 75 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 VW ID.3 Neo?
The VW ID.3 Neo is £12,535 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 VW ID.3 Neo comes out roughly £12,495 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 VW ID.3 Neo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 215 miles for the VW ID.3 Neo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 188 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the VW ID.3 Neo?
The VW ID.3 Neo is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 46 mm narrower than the Mercedes-Benz CLA. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 Neo and about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The VW ID.3 Neo also turns in a 1.0 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 VW ID.3 Neo 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 VW ID.3 Neo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.3 Neo rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.3 Neo rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.3 Neo rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.3 Neo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.3 Neo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (UK)
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .