Comparison
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Tesla Model S
CLA 250+ with EQ Technology vs Model S: range, price, charging, running costs and road-trip stops.
Best range Tesla Model S 410 mi vs 374 mi
Best value Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric $47,950 vs $109,990
Faster charging Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 22 min vs 31 min
5-yr energy About even $4,200 vs $4,200
Winner by category
6 categories comparedRange winner
Tesla Model S
410 mi vs 374 mi
Value winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
$128/mi vs $268/mi
Charging winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
22 min vs 31 min
Efficiency winner
Tie
270 Wh/mi each
Utility/family winner
Tesla Model S
Ahead on seats, cargo, and tow capacity
Performance winner
Tesla Model S
3.1 s vs 6.6 s
Side-by-side comparison
Featured trims| Spec | Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Trim used | CLA 250+ with EQ Technology | Model S |
| MSRP (USD) | $47,950 (better) | $109,990 |
| Range | 374 mi | 410 mi (better) |
| Efficiency | 270 Wh/mi • 3.7 mi/kWh | 270 Wh/mi • 3.7 mi/kWh |
| Battery (usable) | 85 kWh | 96 kWh (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| DC max | 320 kW (better) | 250 kW |
| AC max | 10 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| 10–80% (DC) | 22 min (better) | 31 min |
| Roadtrip score | 91.1 (better) | 88.7 |
| Miles added (15 min est.) | 150 mi (better) | 120 mi |
| USD per mile of range | 128 $/mi (better) | 268 $/mi |
| 0–60 mph | 6.6 s | 3.1 s (better) |
| Top speed | 130 mph | 155 mph (better) |
| Cargo | 10.3 cu ft | 25 cu ft (better) |
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if…
- You want the lower price: $47,950 vs $109,990 to start, $62,040 less.
- You fast-charge often: 10-80% in 22 vs 31 minutes.
Pick the Tesla Model S if…
- You drive long days: 410 vs 374 miles of rated range.
- You haul gear: 25 vs 10.3 cu ft of listed cargo space.
- You care about acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.1 vs 6.6 seconds.
Availability: Tesla Model S production has ended, so you'd be buying leftover or used stock.
5-year energy cost: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Tesla Model S
| Charging mix | Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | 270 Wh/mi | 270 Wh/mi |
| All home charging | $3,050 | $3,050 |
| 80% home, 20% public DC | $4,200 | $4,200 |
| All public DC fast charging | $8,650 | $8,650 |
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 S | |
|---|---|---|
| First leg (90% to 10%) | 254 mi | 279 mi |
| Each leg after a 10-80% stop | 223 mi | 244 mi |
| Fast-charge stops | 2 | 1 |
| Time spent charging | about 45 min | about 30 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.
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