Compare the BMW i4 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
AI generated from our expert reviews
Both the BMW i4 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric make quiet motorway cruisers, generating very little wind noise at speed. Head onto twistier stretches, however, and the i4 is more fun to drive than the CLA Electric. The BMW also impresses with cabin quality, as everything you can see or touch inside feels high quality, whereas the Mercedes features a fair few scratchy plastics low down on its dashboard, centre console and door cards. If you regularly carry passengers, the CLA Electric counters by being more spacious in the back than the i4, where headroom and legroom are both quite compromised. For cargo and hauling, the measured differences show that the BMW i4 offers the larger boot of the two cars and can also tow more.
AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.
'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.
Compare the specs
Standard kit
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Android Auto
Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
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Apple CarPlay
Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
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Cruise control
Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
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Heated seats
Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
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Navigation
Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
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Parking Camera
A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
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Parking Sensors
Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
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Touchscreen infotainment
A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.
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Tow hitch
A fitted towbar for pulling a trailer, caravan or bike rack.
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Android Auto
Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
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Apple CarPlay
Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
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Climate control
Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
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Heated seats
Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
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Leather seats
Leather (or leather-look) seat upholstery instead of cloth.
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Navigation
Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
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Parking Camera
A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
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Touchscreen infotainment
A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.
Key information
| Body type Saloons | Body type Saloons |
| Available fuel types Electric | Available fuel types Electric |
| Number of seats 5 | Number of seats 5 |
| Boot space, seats up 470 litres (3 suitcases) Best | Boot space, seats up 405 litres (3 suitcases) |
| Boot space, seats down 1,290 litres | Boot space, seats down — |
| External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,783 mm x 1,852 mm x 1,448 mm | External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,731 mm x 1,855 mm x 1,469 mm |
| Towing capacity 1,600 kg Best | Towing capacity 1,500 kg |
| First year tax rate £10 | First year tax rate £10 |
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Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
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Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
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Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
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Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
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| Battery size 70.3 kWh Best | Battery size 58 kWh |
| Drive type Rear wheel drive | Drive type Rear wheel drive |
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Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
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Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
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Drivetrain & power
| Engine name 210kW eDrive35 70kWh Auto | Engine name CLA 200 165kW 58kWh Auto |
| Engine size Electric • 286 BHP | Engine size Electric • 224 BHP |
| Body type Saloons | Body type Saloons |
| Fuel type Electric | Fuel type Electric |
| Transmission Automatic | Transmission Automatic |
| Drive type Rear wheel drive | Drive type Rear wheel drive |
| Forward gears 1 | Forward gears 2 |
| Acceleration 6.0 s (0-60 mph) Best | Acceleration 7.5 s (0-60 mph) |
| Battery size 70.3 kWh Best | Battery size 58 kWh |
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Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
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Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
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Dimensions & space
| Number of seats 5 | Number of seats 5 |
| Number of doors 5 | Number of doors 4 |
| Boot (seats up) 470 litres Best | Boot (seats up) 405 litres |
| Boot (seats down) 1,290 litres | Boot (seats down) — |
| Length 4,783 mm | Length 4,731 mm |
| Width 1,852 mm | Width 1,855 mm |
| Height 1,448 mm | Height 1,469 mm |
| Wheelbase 2.86 m | Wheelbase 2.79 m |
| Turning circle 12.5 m | Turning circle 11.2 m |
Full features list
*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.