Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Tesla Model 3

Updated October 2026 · Real-world figures, not WLTP

Mercedes-Benz CLA

CLA 200

£39,150 · 249 mi

Wins 6 of 17

Tesla Model 3

Model 3 RWD (Highland)

£37,990 · 280 mi

Wins 11 of 17

Our verdict

The Mercedes-Benz CLA and Tesla Model 3 are both electric saloons in the large car class. The Mercedes-Benz CLA starts at £39,150 in the UK and the Tesla Model 3 at £37,990, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The CLA charges faster on a rapid charger (125 kW against 110 kW on average, 10–80%).

The Model 3 goes further, with about 280 miles of real-world range against 249 for the CLA. On top of that, it uses less energy (4.7 mi/kWh against 4.3 mi/kWh), has the bigger boot (682 litres against 506), is quicker, doing 0–62 mph in 6.2 s against 7.5 s and has the longer warranty (4 years against 3).

There's little between them on price.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLA if you want quicker charging stops and the Tesla Model 3 if you want the longest range and lower running costs.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

Mercedes-Benz CLATesla Model 3

Price

Price new: £39,150on sale now; £37,990 (best)on sale now
Used from (estimated): £22,3002025 car; £21,700 (best)2025 car
Price per mile of range: £158; £136 (best)

Range and efficiency

Real-world range: 249 mi400 km, estimate; 280 mi (best)450 km
Range today, used (estimated): about 244 mi2025 car, est.; about 274 mi (best)2025 car, est.
Efficiency: 4.3 mi/kWh145 Wh/km, estimate; 4.7 mi/kWh (best)133 Wh/km
Range with one 15-min stop: 306 mi493 km; 331 mi (best)533 km

Charging

Rapid charging: 125 kW (best)10–80% average; 110 kW10–80% average
Home (AC) charging: 22 kW (best); 11 kW
Charging plug: Type 2 CCS; Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L): No; No
Vehicle-to-home (V2H): Yes (best); No
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): Yes (best); No

Battery

Usable battery: 58 kWh; 60 kWh (best)estimate
Battery chemistry: LFP (lithium iron phosphate); LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump: Yes; Yes

Body and performance

Body style: Saloon; Saloon
Size class: D · Large car; D · Large car
Seats: 5; 5
Drive: Rear-wheel drive; Rear-wheel drive
0–62 mph: 7.5 s0–100 km/h; 6.2 s (best)0–100 km/h
Weight: 2,045 kg; 1,847 kg

Size

Length: 4.72 m15 ft 6 in; 4.72 m15 ft 6 in
Width (without mirrors): 1.86 m6 ft 1 in; 1.85 m6 ft 1 in
Width with mirrors: 2.02 m6 ft 8 in; 2.09 m6 ft 10 in
Height: 1.47 m4 ft 10 in; 1.44 m4 ft 9 in
Wheelbase: 2.79 m9 ft 2 in; 2.88 m9 ft 5 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space: 506 litres; 682 litres (best)
Towbar available: Yes; Yes
Towing (braked): 1,500 kg (best); 1,000 kg
Max payload: 530 kg (best)people and luggage; 417 kgpeople and luggage
Euro NCAP rating: 5 stars; –not tested yet

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty: 3 years; 4 years (best)60,000 miles
Battery warranty: 8 years100,000 miles; 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity
Passes to next owner: Not confirmed; Yes

Availability

Status: On sale new; On sale new
Model years: 2025 on; 2025–2026

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.