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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Volvo EX40
Selected trim250+ Sport EditionChange trim484 mi · 85 kWh · £45,615
Selected trimSingle Motor Extended RangeChange trim355 mi · 82 kWh · £39,610
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the Volvo EX40 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 Volvo EX40 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
Volvo
6.9
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
Volvo
4.1
Family
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
Volvo
6.9
Too close to call
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
Volvo
6.6
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
Volvo
3.3
City DrivingVolvo
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
Volvo
5
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £39,610 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 355 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 410 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 28 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Volvo EX40
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
Volvo EX404,440mm-283mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm-18mm
Volvo EX401,873mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-183mm
Volvo EX401,651mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm (better) | 1,873 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,034 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,651 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare (better) | 527 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 917 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 4 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 410 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1400 L |
| Frunk | 101 L (better) | 31 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.
Volvo EX40
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.44m-283mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.87m+18mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.65m+183mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.70m-88mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 410L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1400L |
| Frunk | 101L (better) | 31L |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 917mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,075kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh (better) | 82kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 355 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 200kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £39,610 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 355 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 242 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 28 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 167 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh (better) | 82 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| 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 | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 200 kW (better) | 185 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm | 420 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
Volvo EX40
Single Motor Extended Range
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 - Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant97%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist76%
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 | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX40
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
No active listings.
Volvo EX40
- £38,0582025Car360View
- £36,8872025Car360View
- £35,0372024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £6,005 over the Volvo EX40?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £6,005 more than the Volvo EX40. For that premium it adds 129 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 Volvo EX40?
The Volvo EX40 is £6,005 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £184 for the Volvo EX40, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX40 comes out roughly £5,685 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 Volvo EX40 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 242 miles for the Volvo EX40 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 162 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the Volvo EX40?
The two are within 18 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 527 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX40.
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 Volvo EX40 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 Volvo EX40 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Volvo EX40 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Volvo EX40 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Volvo EX40 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Volvo EX40 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Volvo EX40 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 .