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Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trimquattroChange trim390 mi · 100 kWh · £71,475
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron 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 Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron 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
Audi
5.7
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Audi
8.3
Mercedes-Benz
9
FamilyAudi
Audi
7.5
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
ChargingAudi
Audi
8.2
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Audi
4.2
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
Audi
1.9
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
- £25,860 cheaper
- 94 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £71,475 | £45,615 (better) |
| Official range | 390 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 511 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 22 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec (better) | 6.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron4,771mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm-48mm
Width
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron1,939mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-84mm
Height
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron1,665mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-197mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,771 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,939 mm | 1,855 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,193 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,665 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. | 461 mm spare | 545 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 511 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1373 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 2,000 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
- 390 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 270 kW, faster than 85% of SUVs in our catalogue.
- Braked towing capacity of 2,000 kg, a stronger tow rating than 80% 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 |  Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.77m | 4.72m-48mm |
| Width | 1.94m | 1.85m-84mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.19m | Not available |
| Height | 1.67m | 1.47m-197mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.89m | 2.79m-99mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 511L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1373L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.1m | 11.21m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,150kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 100kWh (better) | 85kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 390 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 270kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £71,475 | £45,615 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2025+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 390 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 325 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 22 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 270 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 94.9 kWh (better) | 85 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | 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 | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec (better) | 6.7 sec |
| Power | 285 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Torque | 485 Nm (better) | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
quattro
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 - Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant92%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist80%
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)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
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, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
quattro
Owners love
- Owners describe the handling as sharp and agile, feeling smaller to drive than its size suggests.
- Standard equipment is generous even on the Sport, with adaptive cruise, lane keeping, keyless entry and heated seats and steering wheel.
- The deep boot and large front storage area are praised as practical.
Watch out for
- The ride on sports suspension and larger wheels, notably the Edition 1 on 21-inch wheels, is widely described as too firm for the price.
- Several owners find road and wind noise more noticeable than in the older e-tron and Q8 e-tron.
- Early cars had software faults: a digital key that needed a dealer update, missing Wi-Fi connection and infotainment errors.
Owner tips
- Test drive the exact wheel and suspension combination you are considering, as the ride varies a lot across versions.
- A Sport or S line on smaller wheels is the comfort pick according to owners.
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
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron worth the extra £25,860 over the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron costs £25,860 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLA. For that premium it adds 106 litres more boot space and 85 kW more power. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is not just cheaper - it also offers 94 miles more WLTP range and 50 kW faster peak rapid charging. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is £25,860 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £176 for the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out roughly £26,140 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 325 miles for the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron 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 78 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 84 mm narrower than the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 461 mm of total clearance for the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron. 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.
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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 Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among long-range EVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron 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.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .