Loading comparison
Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Tesla Model Y
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
Selected trimRWDChange trim314 mi · Not available · £41,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the Tesla Model Y 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 Tesla Model Y 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
Tesla
6.5
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
Tesla
5.8
FamilyTesla
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Tesla
7.8
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Tesla
7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Tesla
7.7
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
Tesla
3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- 170 miles more WLTP range
- 145 kW faster rapid charging
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £41,990 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 854 L (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Tesla Model Y
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm-71mm
Tesla Model Y4,794mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-126mm
Tesla Model Y1,981mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-153mm
Tesla Model Y1,621mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm (better) | 1,981 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,621 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) | 419 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 854 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 2118 L |
| Frunk | 101 L | 117 L (better) |
| 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 6 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.
Tesla Model Y
- 3rd-largest boot among SUVs in our catalogue at 854 L.
- A 117 L frunk, one of 6 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 117 L or more.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Tesla Model Y RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.79m+71mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.98m+126mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.13m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.62m+153mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 162mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 854L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 2118L |
| Frunk | 101L | 117L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m (better) | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,906kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh | Not available |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 314 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 175kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £41,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 251 miles |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 175 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 138 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh | Not available |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
| 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 | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 335 Nm | Not available |
| 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
Tesla Model Y
RWD
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 - Tesla Model Y RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist92%
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 | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Owners love
- Spacious interior with generous cargo capacity makes it practical for families, easily accommodating five passengers plus luggage
- Low running costs versus petrol and diesel, especially with home charging
- Outstanding Supercharger network makes long-distance travel effortless and enables trip planning comparable to petrol cars
Watch out for
- Depreciation concerns affect both purchase values and PCP lease terms as rapid model iterations reduce resale viability
- Autopilot struggles reliably with small roads, parked cars, junctions, and speed limit changes despite heavy marketing
- Harsh suspension ride remains problematic for some owners, though newer generation improvements are noticeable
Owner tips
- Consider a nearly new or pre-facelift car over new to limit depreciation
- Choose LFP battery models if available to avoid strict battery charging discipline and benefit from greater longevity
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model Y
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
No active listings.
Tesla Model Y
- £38,1212025Car360View
- £43,4442025Castle EVView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £3,625 over the Tesla Model Y?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £3,625 more than the Tesla Model Y. For that premium it adds 170 miles more WLTP range and 145 kW faster peak rapid charging. The Tesla Model Y is not just cheaper - it also offers 449 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 Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y is £3,625 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £152 for the Tesla Model Y, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Tesla Model Y comes out roughly £3,465 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 Tesla Model Y like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 251 miles for the Tesla Model Y - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 152 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Tesla Model Y?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 126 mm narrower than the Tesla Model Y. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and about 419 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model Y. 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 Tesla Model Y 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 Tesla Model Y rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model Y rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model Y rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model Y rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model Y rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model Y 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 .