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BMW iX1 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on family practicality and city driving, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
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
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.5p per mile on off-peak electricity
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
6.4
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
BMW
5.9
Mercedes-Benz
9
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
ChargingMercedes-Benz
BMW
4.1
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
BMW
9.3
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
4.6
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
- 164 miles more WLTP range
- 190 kW faster rapid charging
- 50 kW more power
- 1.9s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.7 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 (better) | £45,615 |
| Official range | 320 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
BMW iX14,500mm-223mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm-10mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-148mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm (better) | 1,855 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare (better) | 545 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX1
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
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 iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.72m+223mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.85m+10mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | Not available |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.47m-148mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.79m+98mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 11.21m (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 (better) | £45,615 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £45,615 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh | 85 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 335 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | 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.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
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 iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
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 | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | 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, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
Owners love
- Owners rate the cabin quality, design and technology highly, and find the BMW app reliable
- Agile and enjoyable to drive for its size, with good visibility from the raised seating position
- Real-world range of around 220-260 miles in mild weather is commonly reported with sensible driving
Watch out for
- Winter and fast motorway driving cut range noticeably, with some owners seeing under 200 miles
- Many features were in paid option packs, so two cars of the same trim can be very differently equipped
- Some owners find the ride firm and road noise intrusive, and the seats less comfortable than rivals
Owner tips
- The front-wheel-drive eDrive20 goes further on a charge; the xDrive30 is quicker but rarely needed
- Check which option packs a car has, especially Technology Plus for adaptive cruise
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
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
Mercedes-Benz CLA
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £8,550 over the BMW iX1?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £8,550 more than the BMW iX1. For that premium it adds 164 miles more WLTP range, 190 kW faster peak rapid charging and 50 kW more power. The BMW iX1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 85 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The BMW iX1 is £8,550 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 BMW iX1 comes out roughly £8,470 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 iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 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 137 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The two are within 10 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1 and about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The Mercedes-Benz CLA also turns in a 0.7 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 BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 .