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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Renault Scenic
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Renault Scenic leads on family practicality and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLA if...
- 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
Choose the Renault Scenic if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- 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.
Value
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Renault
7.7
Too close to call
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
Renault
4.4
FamilyRenault
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Renault
7.4
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Renault
3.6
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Renault
3.1
City DrivingRenault
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
Renault
5.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- 92 miles more WLTP range
- 170 kW faster rapid charging
- 40 kW more power
- 1.2s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Renault ScenicTechno |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £36,995 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 392 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 545 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 37 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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Mercedes-Benz CLA
Renault Scenic
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Renault Scenic4,470mm-253mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-9mm
Renault Scenic1,864mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-152mm
Renault Scenic1,620mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Renault ScenicTechno |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,470 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm (better) | 1,864 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,085 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 10.9 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare (better) | 536 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Renault ScenicTechno |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 890 mm |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 545 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1670 L |
| Frunk | 101 L (better) | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 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.
Renault Scenic
- 392 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 SUVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Renault Scenic Techno |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.47m-253mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.86m+9mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.08m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.62m+152mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.79m-5mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 545L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1670L |
| Frunk | 101L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 890mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m | 10.92m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,840kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh | 89kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 392 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £36,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £45,615 (not eligible) | £33,245 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2026+ |
* Renault Scenic: Manufacturer quotes 15-80% on a 150 kW charger.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Renault ScenicTechno |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 392 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 274 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 37 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 168 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh | 89 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
| 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 | Renault ScenicTechno |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.9 sec |
| Power | 200 kW (better) | 160 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm (better) | 300 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
Renault Scenic
Techno
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 - Renault Scenic Techno
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users77%
Safety Assist85%
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 | Renault ScenicTechno |
|---|---|---|
| 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 real-world range. 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
Renault Scenic
Techno
Owners love
- Owners praise the comfort, quiet cabin and supple ride, even on 20-inch wheels.
- Real-world range is strong: about 300 miles in mild weather and around 3.2-3.6 miles per kWh, with good results on long European trips.
- The Google-based infotainment, physical controls and well-equipped base techno trim are rated highly.
Watch out for
- The My Renault app is unreliable: wrong information, crashes and failed remote commands.
- Winter and fast-motorway range fall well below WLTP (about 2.9 miles per kWh at 75 mph).
- Rapid charging sometimes peaks well below the 150 kW maximum.
Owner tips
- Check the car's exact spec for 22 kW charging, V2L and One Pedal rather than assuming by year.
- Check the tyre pressures against the door sticker; several cars were delivered well over spec.
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Scenic
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £8,620 over the Renault Scenic?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £8,620 more than the Renault Scenic. For that premium it adds 92 miles more WLTP range, 170 kW faster peak rapid charging and 40 kW more power. The Renault Scenic is not just cheaper - it also offers 140 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Renault Scenic?
The Renault Scenic is £8,620 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £184 for the Renault Scenic, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Renault Scenic comes out roughly £8,300 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 Renault Scenic like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 274 miles for the Renault Scenic - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 129 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Renault Scenic?
The two are within 9 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 536 mm of total clearance for the Renault Scenic.
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 Renault Scenic 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 Renault Scenic rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Renault Scenic rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Renault Scenic rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Renault Scenic rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Renault Scenic rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Renault Scenic 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 .