New Mercedes CLA Electric: how does it stack up against its alternatives?

The Mercedes CLA has been re-imagined as a super-sleek, super-efficient electric saloon car for its third generation, and it’s claimed to be the longest-range electric vehicle available when it hits the showroom floor later in the year. It’s not the only long-range, high-tech EV saloon car on the market though.

 

So how does the swish new Mercedes fare, when compared to the established favourites?

Mercedes CLA v. alternatives at a glance

Car Model	Trim Level	Version	Electric Range	Price (Starting from)
Mercedes CLA	Sport Edition	CLA 250+ with EQ Technology	492mi	£45,615
BMW i4	Sport	i4 eDrive 35	288mi	£51,370
Tesla Model 3	Standard	Model 3	328mi	£39,990
BYD Seal	Design	Seal	323mi	£45,705
Volkswagen ID.7	Pro Match Plus	ID.7	364mi	£51,005

BMW i4

BMW i4 trim levels

Trim Level	Version	Price (Starting from)
Sport	i4 eDrive 35	£51,370
M Sport	i4 eDrive 35	£52,870
M60	i4 M60 xDrive	£71,000

The BMW i4 may be a bit bigger and more expensive than the Mercedes CLA, but you get your money’s worth when you take into account the i4’s plush interior and solid build quality. There’s no denying that the CLA is easier on the eye, though, with a much sleeker design.

You also get smarter tech in the Mercedes – the i4 is getting on a bit now – but on the road the BMW offers a fantastic combination of comfort around town, superb motorway cruising and highly capable cornering ability; it’s hard to beat. Range varies from 288 miles to 377 miles, depending on your battery option.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 trim levels

Trim Level	Version	Price (Starting from)
Standard	Model 3	£39,990
Long Range	Model 3	£44,990
Performance	Model 3	£59,990

The Tesla Model 3 is a school-run favourite, being a genuinely usable, practical and stylish family saloon car. The entry-level Model 3 is cheaper than the CLA by a fair margin, but it’s also nowhere near as fancy inside as the Mercedes. Still, you get an enormous boot and a frunk, too.

On the road the Model 3 is well judged for town driving, with light steering and plenty of feel through the brake pedal, and it’s an easy car to cruise along the motorways in. It’s far from the last word in fun on a country lane though; you’ll need to fork out for the Performance version for that. Range varies from 328 miles to a whopping 436 miles in Long Range trim.

BYD Seal

BYD Seal trim levels

Trim Level	Version	Price (Starting from)
Design	Seal	£45,705
Excellence	Seal AWD	£48,705

The BYD Seal has really disrupted the small saloon market, because unlike a lot of cheap, cheerful Chinese cars, it’s genuinely very desirable. It’s arguably more handsome than the overly-smooth CLA, and the interior design is very easy on the eye.

BYD’s infotainment system isn’t quite as responsive as in the Mercedes, BMW and Tesla, but the overall build quality is solid. It’s easy to drive around town; comfortable and refined at both low speeds and on the motorway. It’s properly fun on a twisty road, too. Range varies from 323 miles to 354 miles across the Design and Excellence trim levels.

Volkswagen ID7

Volkswagen ID.7 Trim Levels

Trim Level	Version	Price (Starting from)
Pro Match Plus	ID.7	£51,005
Pro Match S Plus	ID.7	£54,490
GTX Plus	ID.7 4Motion	£59,110

As the third best-selling EV in Europe, it’s no surprise that the Volkswagen ID7 is one of the best family cars you can buy. It costs more than the Mercedes CLA, but it’s absolutely enormous and feels suitably premium inside.

And the ID7 is by far the best electric Volkswagen to drive, too. It may feel a little large to steer around town, but it’s one of the most comfortable, relaxing EVs going on a motorway cruise. Country lanes are best taken at a steady cruise, but the option adaptive suspension all but eliminates body lean when pressing on. Range varies from 364 miles to 436 miles with the large battery fitted.

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