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Cupra Born vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Cupra Born 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 Cupra Born if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
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
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
Cupra
5.6
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Cupra
6.3
Mercedes-Benz
9
FamilyCupra
Cupra
8.1
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Cupra
6.7
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Cost Per Mile
Cupra
9.6
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Too close to call
City DrivingCupra
Cupra
7.7
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
- 183 miles more WLTP range
- 215 kW faster rapid charging
- 60 kW more power
- 1.3s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,995 (better) | £45,615 |
| Official range | 301 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 385 L | 405 L (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Cupra Born
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
Cupra Born4,324mm-399mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Width
Cupra Born1,809mm-46mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm
Height
Cupra Born1,540mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-72mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,809 mm (better) | 1,855 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,070 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.2 m (better) | 11.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 591 mm spare (better) | 545 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 385 L | 405 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1267 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Cupra Born
- 301 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 105 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- At 4,324 mm, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs 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 |  Cupra Born V1 58kWh |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.32m | 4.72m+399mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.85m+46mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | Not available |
| Height | 1.54m | 1.47m-72mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.79m+24mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 385L | 405L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1267L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.2m (better) | 11.21m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,899kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 301 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,995 (better) | £45,615 |
| Price after EV grant | £34,495 (-£1,500) | £45,615 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Saloon |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
* Cupra Born: Heat pump: an option, not standard.
* Cupra Born: Manufacturer lists no trailer towing capacity.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 301 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 250 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh | 85 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Standard (better) |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 140 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 335 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
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 - Cupra Born V1 58kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist76%
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 | Cupra BornV1 58kWh | 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 real-world range, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners rate the handling, rear-wheel-drive steering feel and comfortable, supportive seats
- Good real-world efficiency, with owners reporting around 4 miles per kWh and 220-320 miles depending on battery
- The 326PS VZ fixed the early cars' lack of punch, with much stronger mid-range acceleration
Watch out for
- Wide A-pillars create a large blind spot at junctions and roundabouts
- The brake pedal feels long and vague at low speed, and regeneration cannot be adjusted much
- The Born is heavy, so the VZ feels less quick than its power suggests and is expensive new
Owner tips
- Check whether a car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving
- The 2022-2024 77 kWh car has four seats; later 79 kWh cars seat five
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
Cupra Born
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £9,620 over the Cupra Born?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £9,620 more than the Cupra Born. For that premium it adds 183 miles more WLTP range, 215 kW faster peak rapid charging and 60 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 Cupra Born or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Cupra Born is £9,620 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 Cupra Born comes out roughly £9,580 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Cupra Born and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 250 miles for the Cupra Born 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 153 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Cupra Born or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Cupra Born 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 Cupra Born and about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The Cupra Born 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.
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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 Cupra Born and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among long-range EVsWhere the Cupra Born and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Cupra Born and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the Cupra Born and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Cupra Born and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Cupra Born 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 .