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Mercedes-Benz CLA vs VW ID.5
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 VW ID.5 leads on family practicality and 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 VW ID.5 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
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
VW
7.4
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
VW
6.7
FamilyVW
Mercedes-Benz
6.5
VW
8.3
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
7.7
VW
5.7
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9.8
VW
7.5
City DrivingVW
Mercedes-Benz
3.9
VW
6.3
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 | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,615 | £36,995 (better) |
| Official range | 484 miles (better) | 352 miles |
| Boot space | 405 L | 539 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec | 6.7 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Mercedes-Benz CLA
VW ID.5
Length
Mercedes-Benz CLA4,723mm
VW ID.54,599mm-124mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,855mm
VW ID.51,852mm-3mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz CLA1,468mm-150mm
VW ID.51,618mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,599 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,855 mm | 1,852 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,618 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 545 mm spare | 548 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Sport Edition | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 539 L (better) |
| Frunk | 101 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,000 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.
VW ID.5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Sport Edition |  VW ID.5 Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.60m-124mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.85m-3mm |
| Height | 1.47m | 1.62m+150mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.77m-19mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 539L (better) |
| Frunk | 101L | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.21m | 10.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,128kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 85kWh (better) | 79kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 484 mi (better) | 352 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 320kW (better) | 165kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,615 | £36,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £45,615 (not eligible) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| 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 | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 484 miles (better) | 352 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 403 miles (better) | 293 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 320 kW (better) | 165 kW |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 85 kWh (better) | 79 kWh |
| 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 | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec | 6.7 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | 210 kW (better) |
| Torque | 335 Nm | 545 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
VW ID.5
Pro Essential
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 - VW ID.5 Pro Essential
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
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 | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 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
VW ID.5
Pro Essential
Owners love
- Owners praise the design, interior quality and the roomy rear with no centre tunnel.
- It is easy to live with as a first EV, with a comfortable ride and low servicing costs.
- The adjustable regenerative braking works well for everyday driving.
Watch out for
- Touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard are easy to press by accident.
- Some owners report app problems, such as wrong charge or range readings when used with smart chargers.
- One owner reports key fob batteries draining within about a month.
Owner tips
- Test the touch controls carefully on the test drive.
- Set charging schedules in the car rather than through several apps at once.
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA worth the extra £8,620 over the VW ID.5?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA costs £8,620 more than the VW ID.5. For that premium it adds 132 miles more WLTP range and 155 kW faster peak rapid charging. The VW ID.5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 134 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 VW ID.5?
The VW ID.5 is £8,620 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is cheaper to charge, roughly £120 a year versus £152 for the VW ID.5, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.5 comes out roughly £8,460 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 VW ID.5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 403 miles for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 293 miles for the VW ID.5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz CLA goes roughly 110 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz CLA or the VW ID.5?
The two are within 3 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.5 and about 545 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The VW ID.5 also turns in a 1.0 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 VW ID.5 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 VW ID.5 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.5 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz CLA and VW ID.5 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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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 .