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Hyundai IONIQ 5 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
Selected trimStandard Range RWDChange trim273 mi · 63 kWh · £40,695
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai IONIQ 5 leads on family practicality, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai IONIQ 5 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
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
Hyundai
6.1
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Hyundai
6.4
Mercedes-Benz
9
FamilyHyundai
Hyundai
7.7
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Charging
Hyundai
7.9
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Too close to call
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Hyundai
6.8
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
Hyundai
3.3
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
- 60 kW faster rapid charging
- 75 kW more power
- 1.8s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.8 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5Standard Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40,695 (better) | £45,615 |
| Official range | 273 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 520 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 18 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8.5 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length
Hyundai IONIQ 54,655mm-68mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Width
Hyundai IONIQ 51,890mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-35mm
Height
Hyundai IONIQ 51,605mm
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-137mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5Standard Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,890 mm | 1,855 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,116 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,605 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Turning circle | 12 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 510 mm spare | 545 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5Standard Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1587 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 57 L | 101 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
- Peak DC charging of 260 kW, faster than 85% of SUVs in our catalogue.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 3,000 mm wheelbase, longer than 90% 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 |  Hyundai IONIQ 5 Standard Range RWD |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.66m | 4.72m+68mm |
| Width | 1.89m | 1.85m-35mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.12m | Not available |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.47m-137mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 2.79m-210mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1587L | Not available |
| Frunk | 57L | 101L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12m | 11.21m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,920kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 63kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi | 484 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 260kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £40,695 (better) | £45,615 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5Standard Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles | 484 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 228 miles | 403 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 18 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 260 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 10.5 kW | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 63 kWh | 85 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 800V | 800V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 5Standard Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.5 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 125 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 350 Nm (better) | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Standard Range RWD
8.9/10
average across 7 reviews
- DrivingElectric5/5
- Car Magazine5/5
- Electrifying.com9/10
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 - Hyundai IONIQ 5 Standard Range RWD
Vulnerable Road Users63%
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)
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.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Standard Range RWD
Owners love
- Exceptional driving dynamics with outstanding handling, steering precision, and engaging performance that feels like a proper driver's car despite its 2.2-ton weight
- Cutting-edge 800-volt charging architecture enables industry-leading 350kW fast charging speeds, significantly faster than most competitors
- Impressive range with larger battery options (315+ miles WLTP) and strong real-world performance in various conditions
Watch out for
- Poor efficiency for its class, achieving only 2.5-2.7 mi/kWh in real-world driving, resulting in disappointing real-world range despite manufacturer claims
- Premium £65,000 pricing lacks competitive justification given interior quality comparable to standard Ioniq 5 and efficiency below competitor standards
- Known vulnerability to theft via programmable key exploits, particularly concerning in high-risk areas, with ongoing unfixed security issues
Owner tips
- Test drive extensively and set up suspension and drive modes (Normal suspension recommended for UK roads, Sport steering, Sport+ motor settings) to match your preferences before committing
- Budget for security upgrades like Ghost immobilizer in high-theft areas; check insurance quotes early due to known theft vulnerabilities
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
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
- £29,9902025Cars2View
- £40,4902026Cars2View
- £33,9902026Cars2View
Mercedes-Benz CLA
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £4,920 over the Hyundai IONIQ 5?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £4,920 more than the Hyundai IONIQ 5. For that premium it adds 211 miles more WLTP range, 60 kW faster peak rapid charging and 75 kW more power. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 115 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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is £4,920 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £160 for the Hyundai IONIQ 5, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 comes out roughly £4,720 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 228 miles for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 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 175 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 35 mm narrower than the Hyundai IONIQ 5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 510 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai IONIQ 5. The Mercedes-Benz CLA also turns in a 0.8 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
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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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .