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Ford Explorer vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on city driving, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- 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
Ford
6.1
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Ford
3.5
Mercedes-Benz
9
Family
Ford
6.7
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Too close to call
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Ford
4.6
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Ford
3.5
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
City DrivingFord
Ford
5.4
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
- 211 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 | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 (better) | £45,615 |
| Official range | 273 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 470 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Ford Explorer
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm-255mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-17mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-162mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm | 1,855 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m (better) | 11.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 528 mm spare | 545 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Ford Explorer
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 |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.72m+255mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.85m-17mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.47m-162mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.79m+23mm |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1460L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 101L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | 916mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m (better) | 11.21m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,908kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 (better) | £45,615 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | £45,615 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | 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 | Ford ExplorerStyle 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.
Ford Explorer
Style 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 - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
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 | Ford ExplorerStyle 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 dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, comfortable ride and the planted, enjoyable handling, often rated above the VW ID.4.
- Efficiency is a strong point: owners report around 3.4 to 4 miles per kWh, 300+ miles from a full charge in mild weather and about 200 in winter.
- Rear-seat space is generous, and the interior is felt to be a step up from other Fords.
Watch out for
- A few owners report electrical faults soon after delivery (warning lights, a failed instrument display, a car that would only select neutral), with long waits for a diagnosis.
- Several owners report slow repairs, parts waits and difficulty getting a courtesy car, and some dealers were unfamiliar with the car.
- The heat pump and head-up display are extra-cost options.
Owner tips
- Precondition the car before cold-weather journeys to keep efficiency up.
- Check the car thoroughly on collection, including paint and every warning light, before accepting it.
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
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £10,430 over the Ford Explorer?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £10,430 more than the Ford Explorer. For that premium it adds 211 miles more WLTP range, 215 kW faster peak rapid charging and 60 kW more power. The Ford Explorer is not just cheaper - it also offers 65 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 Ford Explorer or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Ford Explorer is £10,430 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £176 for the Ford Explorer, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Ford Explorer comes out roughly £10,150 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer 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 220 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The two are within 17 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer. The Ford Explorer also turns in a 0.3 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 Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the Ford Explorer and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (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 .