Mercedes-Benz has always been known for luxury. As such, the high-end manufacturer has committed to evolving their signature luxury to include all vehicles in their lineup. This luxury includes the sporty Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a subcompact sedan that makes a statement, and that statement is of distinction and class. The well-known German manufacturer goes to great lengths to prove that the CLA 250 stacks up against the competition.

Competition for such luxury comes from Germany as the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 has competitors from BMW 230i and Audi A3. Additionally, the Acura ILX aims the CLA 250 from Japan to round out the manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz perhaps did too good to produce quality subcompact cars, as the A-Class 220 also draws some eyes away from the CLA 250.

Mercedes-Benz packed the CLA 250 with features. Everything from driver assistance to the driver display screens, and the design, has been intentionally designed with class, elegance, and style in mind. Compared to the competition, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 should be a shoo-in. However, some features from other models may give reason for pause.

Related:9 Reasons to Buy the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 (1 Good Reason to Avoid It)

11 Design

BMW 230i
Via Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes-Benz markets its CLA 250 as a coupe, however with four doors, it is less coupe and more sedan. The design does feature sweeping lines on the roof and sides and offers some well-known Mercedes-Benz curves around the head and tail lights. Featuring a panoramic sunroof giving the CLA 250 a bright and open feel despite being a sedan.

Related: Here's What We Love About the BMW 2 Series

Mercedes CLA 250
Via RAC

Compared to the Acura ILX, the Mercedes-Benz A 220, and the Audi A3, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is the best-looking four-door sedans. Standing next to the BMW 230i, however, the true coupe stands out. The BMW 230i has an aggressive sport-inspired look that steals the show.

10 Size

White 2022 Acura ILX
Via: Acura

They say size doesn't matter, but size means everything when you try to shove five people into a subcompact. The Mercedes-Benz CLA thinks about the driver and passengers with decent legroom, headroom, and shoulder space. It isn't perfect, though, and expect conditions to be quite cramped if passengers are on the taller side.

Ford Bronco Tall Man Legroom 4
via Bronco6G

Compared to the competitors, the Acura ILX won the day with the most headroom and legroom. Additionally, the Acura ILX saw the greatest trunk space, allowing for comfortable passengers and room for bags. On the small side sits the BMW 230i, with significantly less legroom and almost no trunk space. Audi's A3 and Mercedes-Benz' A 220 were average.

9 Performance

The Mercedes-Benz S580's Engine
Via Google/ CNET

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 comes equipped with a 2.0L Inline-4 turbocharged engine. It puts out a modest 221horsepower and can achieve a 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. Smaller cars benefit from smaller engines. The Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A 220 also sport a turbocharged Inline-4. Acura decided to forego the 2.0L for a 2.4L that puts out 201 horsepower making it weaker despite its larger size.

BMW N52
Wikimedia Commons

Just as with the design, the BMW 230i focuses on a sport-inspired engine, adding a twin-turbo capable of producing an incredible 255HP. The zippy BMW 230i can make it to 60 in 5.5 seconds, making it the fastest car the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 competes with, but the BMW 230i doesn't have the advantage it could if it included the inline-6 standard on the M240i. Mercedes-Benz A 220 offers the least power with only 188HP.

8 Driving Technology – Drive modes, AI driver assists

Advanced Driver Assist Systems
Via evanshalshaw.com

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a powerhouse of driver assistance. The technology stuffed into the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 could fly you to the moon and back. Optional features offer every assistance in the book, from brakes and parking assists to lane detection and swerve detection. Further, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 offers cameras that cover every angle of the car, including a dashcam to catch every moment.

Related:Don't like Driver Assist Systems? Survey Finds That You're Not Alone

2022 Porsche Macan S infotainment screen close-up view
Via Porsche

Compared to the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, the competition offers only moderate AI equipt driver assistance. Audi's A3 offers traffic relief cruise control and park assist. The BMW 230i offers active driving assist and frontal collision warning. Acura's ILX has collision mitigating braking and lane-keeping assist. Only Mercedes-Benz's A 220 provides similar features to the CLA 250.

7 Transmission & Drivetrain

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Shifter
Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Shifter

Automatic transmissions are the only offering for the subcompact luxury class that the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 occupies. Furthermore, the CLA 250 offers standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This transmission is paired with a front-wheel-drive that can be upgraded to the 4Matic all-wheel-drive option. The Mercedes-Benz A 220 offers the same arrangement.

The M340i's shifter
Via wheels.ca

While the Audi A3 is the only competitor to offer the 7-speed transmission, it provides a manual mode with steering wheel shift paddles. The BMW 230i again is the most aggressive driving machine with rear-wheel standard and an 8-speed automatic transmission that includes a sport mode and manual mode.

6 Comfort & Interior

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Interior Cabin
The Interior of the Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with luxury, and even in this subcompact car, luxury doesn't take a back seat. Some styling choices even keep the CLA 250 in a league of its own such as a 64-color interior LED ambient light system with illuminated vents. Additionally, the materials and ride of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 are genuinely the lap of luxury.

The A3’s Styling Is Now More Staid From The Inside, Taking Cues From The Larger A4 Sedan With A Little More Personality
via Carscoops

The Audi A3 comes closest in terms of interior luxury to the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. Sporting an MMI touch infotainment and an available heads-up display that projects in the line of sight show the advance in interior luxury. The Acura ILX and the BMW 230i offer pretty run-of-the-mill interiors, nothing too incredible to write home about. BMW was more focused on the driver.

5 Gas Mileage

Refuelling
Via Unsplash

Small usually means better MPGs, but a turbocharged engine drinks fuel. The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 offers middle-of-the-pack MPG ratings in the 25 city and 35 on the highway. On the upper end is the Audi A3 with 29 city and 38 highway. The BMW 230i ranks slightly better in the city at 26 MPG and in line with Mercedes on the highway. Additionally, Acura's ILX and the Mercedes-Benz A 220 rank the worst at 24 city and 33 highway.'

4 Colors

Paint Job
Via: media gallery

Fans of white, black, silver, and grey are in luck. Every model features these modern car colors. The BMW 230i and the Acura ILX take it further by offering only red as an alternative. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz A 220 adds rose gold to that collection, creating an additional vibrant option.

2020 Mercedes CLA 250
Via J.D. Power

Indeed, Audi's A3 is the only model to offer a shade of blue, and for the A3, two shades are available. The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, on the other hand, provides the only color that stands out with a yellow tint that is available.

3 Trim Levels

Mercedes-Benz CLA, Edition Orange Art, AMG Line, kosmosschwarz // Mercedes-Benz CLA, Edition Orange Art, AMG Line, cosmos black

Unfortunately, Mercedes-Benz made the AMG version of the CLA 250 a separate model. This leaves just the base CLA 250 and the CLA 250 4Matic. The 4Matic provides an all-wheel drive option. The extra cost is worth it for fans of the AWD options, as Mercedes-Benz offers the same range on their A 220 model. Further, the two trim levels are found with BMW 230i coming in Sport and M Sport flavors.

2022 Audi A3 0-60 mph acceleration view
Via: Netcarshow.com

Audi offers six varieties for the A3. However, the three trim levels are just repeated with their Quatro branding. Lastly, Acura's ILX is only available in one trim level but offers nickel and dime packages to make up for it.

2 Price

Via Sky News

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 stands as the most expensive at $37850 starting, but you pay for what you get. Cheeping out brings you an Acura ILX at $26,500, but a lack of features question its position as a luxury vehicle. Further, the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A 220 start at almost $34,000, but lack power and Audi's A3 can get expensive quickly if a prestige trim is selected.

BMW 230i
Via BMW Media

The BMW 230i is comparable in cost to the CLA 250, but expect more car and less luxury.

1 Final Thoughts

Via: J.D. Power

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a subcompact luxury vehicle. Despite the entry-level price point and modest size, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 holds its own against the competition. The BMW 230i is too focused on being sporty and quick. The Audi A3 contends for luxury but lacks standard features. The Acura ILX is a cheap knock-off luxury vehicle, and the Mercedes-Benz A 220 is a stripped-down version of the CLA 250. Expect to spend more up-front, but the cost will be worth it!