Comparison
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Tesla Model 3
CLA 250+ with EQ Technology vs Premium RWD: range, price, charging, running costs and road-trip stops.
Best range Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 374 mi vs 363 mi
Best value Tesla Model 3 $42,490 vs $47,950
Faster charging Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 22 min vs 36 min
5-yr energy Tesla Model 3 $4,200 vs $3,850
Winner by category
6 categories comparedRange winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
374 mi vs 363 mi
Value winner
Tesla Model 3
$117/mi vs $128/mi
Charging winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
22 min vs 36 min
Efficiency winner
Tesla Model 3
250 Wh/mi vs 270 Wh/mi
Utility/family winner
Tesla Model 3
Ahead on seats, cargo, and tow capacity
Performance winner
Tesla Model 3
4.9 s vs 6.6 s
Side-by-side comparison
Featured trims| Spec | Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Trim used | CLA 250+ with EQ Technology | Premium RWD |
| MSRP (USD) | $47,950 | $42,490 (better) |
| Range | 374 mi (better) | 363 mi |
| Efficiency | 270 Wh/mi • 3.7 mi/kWh | 250 Wh/mi • 4 mi/kWh (better) |
| Battery (usable) | 85 kWh (better) | 82 kWh |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| DC max | 320 kW (better) | 208 kW |
| AC max | 10 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| 10–80% (DC) | 22 min (better) | 36 min |
| Roadtrip score | 91.1 (better) | 79.1 |
| Miles added (15 min est.) | 150 mi (better) | 96 mi |
| USD per mile of range | 128 $/mi | 117 $/mi (better) |
| 0–60 mph | 6.6 s | 4.9 s (better) |
| Top speed | 130 mph (better) | 125 mph |
| Cargo | 10.3 cu ft | 21 cu ft (better) |
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if…
- You fast-charge often: 10-80% in 22 vs 36 minutes.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if…
- You want the lower price: $42,490 vs $47,950 to start, $5,460 less.
- You want lower running costs: about $3,850 vs $4,200 in energy over 5 years.
- You haul gear: 21 vs 10.3 cu ft of listed cargo space.
- You care about acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.9 vs 6.6 seconds.
5-year energy cost: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Tesla Model 3
| Charging mix | Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | 270 Wh/mi | 250 Wh/mi |
| All home charging | $3,050 | $2,850 |
| 80% home, 20% public DC | $4,200 | $3,850 |
| All public DC fast charging | $8,650 | $8,000 |
60,000 miles (12,000 a year) at rated efficiency, $0.17/kWh at home, $0.48/kWh at public fast chargers, plus 10% charging loss. A 30 mpg gas car at $3.20/gal would spend about $6,400 on fuel over the same miles. Use your own rates.
500-mile road trip: charging stops
| Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| First leg (90% to 10%) | 254 mi | 247 mi |
| Each leg after a 10-80% stop | 223 mi | 216 mi |
| Fast-charge stops | 2 | 2 |
| Time spent charging | about 45 min | about 70 min |
| DC port | NACS | NACS |
Highway range taken as 85% of rated range. Each stop is counted as a full 10-80% session at the listed time, so the last stop is often shorter in practice. Cold weather and high speeds add stops. Charging time calculator.
Related comparisons
All comparisons Hyundai Ioniq6 Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Hyundai Ioniq6 • Tesla Model 3 vs Hyundai Ioniq6 ›
Tesla Model Y Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Tesla Model Y • Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y ›
Audi A6 e-tron Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Audi A6 e-tron • Tesla Model 3 vs Audi A6 e-tron ›