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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Polestar 4
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
Selected trimLong range Single motor · 2024-26Change trim391 mi · 100 kWh · £59,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the Polestar 4 leads on family practicality.
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 need the fastest charging of these options
- 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 Polestar 4 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Mercedes-Benz CLA wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Polestar
6
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
Polestar
4.9
FamilyPolestar
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Polestar
7.6
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Polestar
5.8
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Polestar
2.1
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
Polestar
1.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- £14,375 cheaper
- 93 miles more WLTP range
- 120 kW faster rapid charging
- 0.4 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 (better) | £59,990 |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 391 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 530 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec | 6.2 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Polestar 4
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm-117mm
Polestar 44,840mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-153mm
Polestar 42,008mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-88mm
Polestar 41,556mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,840 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm (better) | 2,008 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,139 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m (better) | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare (better) | 392 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 530 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1665 L |
| Frunk | 101 L (better) | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,500 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.
Polestar 4
- 391 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- At 4,840 mm, longer than 80% of SUVs we track.
- 2,999 mm wheelbase, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Polestar 4 Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.84m+117mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 2.01m+153mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.14m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.56m+88mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 3.00m+209mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 166mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 530L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1665L |
| Frunk | 101L (better) | 15L |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m (better) | 11.64m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,265kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh | 100kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 391 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 200kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 (better) | £59,990 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | suv |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024–2026 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 391 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 277 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 178 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh | 100 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec | 6.2 sec (better) |
| Power | 200 kW | 200 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm | 343 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Polestar 4
Long range Single motor
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 - Polestar 4 Long range Single motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
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. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
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
Polestar 4
Long range Single motor
Owners love
- Owners praise the build quality and the interior materials, a big step up from the Polestar 2.
- The rear seats are spacious and recline, and the glass roof gives the cabin a light, limousine-like feel.
- Real-world range is good for the class, with owners reporting around 250 miles on cold, wet motorway runs and more in mild weather.
Watch out for
- Early cars had many software bugs: the head-up display failing to start, temperamental haptic steering wheel buttons (some replaced), key and profile recognition, CarPlay drop-outs and glitchy driver aids.
- Some find the ride firm and fidgety on British roads, with body roll in corners, especially on the Dual motor.
- The lack of a rear window takes getting used to and rules out a normal rear dash cam.
Owner tips
- Make sure the latest software is installed; a full software reset at the dealer fixed many early gremlins.
- Test drive it to see whether you can live with the camera mirror and the ride, and try the Single motor if comfort matters most.
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Polestar 4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
No active listings.
Polestar 4
- £33,6992024Car360View
- £33,7002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 4 worth the extra £14,375 over the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The Polestar 4 costs £14,375 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLA. For that premium it adds 125 litres more boot space. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is not just cheaper - it also offers 93 miles more WLTP range and 120 kW faster peak rapid charging. 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 Polestar 4?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is £14,375 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £192 for the Polestar 4, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Mercedes-Benz CLA comes out roughly £14,735 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 Polestar 4 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 277 miles for the Polestar 4 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 127 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Polestar 4?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 153 mm narrower than the Polestar 4. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 392 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 4. The Mercedes-Benz CLA also turns in a 0.4 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.
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More Mercedes-Benz CLA 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 Polestar 4 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Polestar 4 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Polestar 4 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Polestar 4 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Polestar 4 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Polestar 4 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .