Loading comparison
Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
Selected trim400 4MATIC405 mi · 94 kWh · £61,100
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and running costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
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
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- 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.
ValueCLA
CLA
7.9
GLC
6
Motorway RangeCLA
CLA
9
GLC
6.9
FamilyGLC
CLA
6.5
GLC
7.9
ChargingGLC
CLA
7.7
GLC
8.2
Cost Per MileCLA
CLA
9.8
GLC
3.5
City DrivingCLA
CLA
3.9
GLC
2.5
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- £15,485 cheaper
- 80 miles more WLTP range
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLC400 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 (better) | £61,100 |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 405 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 520 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 22 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm-122mm
Mercedes-Benz GLC4,845mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-58mm
Mercedes-Benz GLC1,913mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-176mm
Mercedes-Benz GLC1,644mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLC400 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,845 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm (better) | 1,913 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,644 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m (better) | 12.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare (better) | 487 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLC400 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 520 L (better) |
| Frunk | 101 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 2,400 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 405 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 330 kW, faster than 90% of SUVs in our catalogue.
- At 4,845 mm, longer than 85% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.84m+122mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.91m+58mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.09m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.64m+176mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.97m+182mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 520L (better) |
| Frunk | 101L | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m (better) | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,581kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 2,400kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh | 94kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 405 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW | 330kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 (better) | £61,100 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLC400 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 405 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 297 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 22 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW | 330 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 164 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh | 94 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V | 800V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLC400 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | 360 kW (better) |
| Torque | 335 Nm | 800 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Mercedes-Benz GLC
400 4MATIC
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 - 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)
Euro NCAP - Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant90%
Vulnerable Road Users74%
Safety Assist84%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC worth the extra £15,485 over the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs £15,485 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLA. For that premium it adds 115 litres more boot space and 160 kW more power. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is not just cheaper - it also offers 80 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is £15,485 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £176 for the Mercedes-Benz GLC, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out roughly £15,765 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 297 miles for the Mercedes-Benz GLC - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 106 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 58 mm narrower than the Mercedes-Benz GLC. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 487 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. 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.
More Mercedes-Benz CLA comparisons
More Mercedes-Benz GLC comparisons
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Mercedes-Benz GLC 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .