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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Vauxhall Astra
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the Vauxhall Astra leads on city driving.
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
Choose the Vauxhall Astra if...
- 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
Mercedes-Benz
7.9
Vauxhall
6.3
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
Vauxhall
4.8
Family
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Vauxhall
6.3
Too close to call
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Vauxhall
6.4
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Vauxhall
5.8
City DrivingVauxhall
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
Vauxhall
7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
250+ Sport Edition
- 203 miles more WLTP range
- 53 litres more boot space
- 220 kW faster rapid charging
- 85 kW more power
- 2.6s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Vauxhall AstraGriffin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £29,995 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 281 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L (better) | 352 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 26 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 9.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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Mercedes-Benz CLA
Vauxhall Astra
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Vauxhall Astra4,374mm-349mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-5mm
Vauxhall Astra1,860mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm
Vauxhall Astra1,441mm-27mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Vauxhall AstraGriffin |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,374 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm (better) | 1,860 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,062 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 10.5 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare (better) | 540 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Vauxhall AstraGriffin |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L (better) | 352 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1268 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.
Vauxhall Astra
- 281 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- At 4,374 mm, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Vauxhall Astra Griffin |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.37m-349mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.86m+5mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.06m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.44m-27mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.67m-115mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L (better) | 352L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1268L |
| Frunk | 101L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m | 10.5m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,658kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh (better) | 58kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 281 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £29,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £45,615 (not eligible) | £28,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Hatchback |
| 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 | Vauxhall AstraGriffin |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 281 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 191 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 26 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh (better) | 55.4 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Vauxhall AstraGriffin |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 9.3 sec |
| Power | 200 kW (better) | 115 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm (better) | 270 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
Vauxhall Astra
Griffin
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 - Vauxhall Astra Griffin
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users67%
Safety Assist66%
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 | Vauxhall AstraGriffin |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Vauxhall Astra
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £15,620 over the Vauxhall Astra?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £15,620 more than the Vauxhall Astra. For that premium it adds 203 miles more WLTP range, 220 kW faster peak rapid charging and 53 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 Vauxhall Astra?
The Vauxhall Astra is £15,620 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £168 for the Vauxhall Astra, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Vauxhall Astra comes out roughly £15,380 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 Vauxhall Astra like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 191 miles for the Vauxhall Astra - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 212 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Vauxhall Astra?
The two are within 5 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 540 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Astra. The Vauxhall Astra also turns in a 0.7 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 Vauxhall Astra 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 Vauxhall Astra rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Vauxhall Astra rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Vauxhall Astra rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Vauxhall Astra rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Vauxhall Astra rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Vauxhall Astra rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (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 .