Price
Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA
The Mercedes-Benz CLA starts at $32,700 for the CLA250 base model. Buyers can upgrade from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000. The CLA’s other trim, the high-performance Mercedes-AMG CLA45, begins at $50,400.
The BMW 3 Series is available in several trims, beginning with the $34,900 320i base model. Starting at $40,250 and $48,950, respectively, the 330i and 340i trims increase the sedan’s performance and horsepower. The 330i is also available as a Sports Wagon ($44,450) and Gran Turismo hatchback ($44,850), while the 340i is available as a Gran Turismo for $50,700. The 3 Series’ high-performance M3 model begins at $65,500.
Reliability
Winner: Tied
Neither the Mercedes-Benz CLA nor the BMW 3 Series has been assigned a predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power and Associates for the 2018 model year. Both nameplates received a four-out-of-five rating for 2017. Since both vehicles are mostly unchanged from the 2017 to 2018 model year, this is a tie.
The CLA and 3 Series each come with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2018 BMW 3 Series
Both five-passenger cars provide ample head- and legroom for passengers in the front row, but the CLA’s backseat can feel cramped when accommodating three adults. The 3 Series has ample head- and legroom for its size. The CLA comes standard with power-adjustable front seats, which is offered as an option in the 3 Series.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Both models boast above-average cargo capacity. The Mercedes-Benz CLA features 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space. The rear seats fold down for extra space, and a hands-free trunk lid is available.
The BMW 3 Series sedan’s trunk measures 13 cubic feet. However, the Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon body styles offer more space – 24.6 cubic feet and 27.5 cubic feet, respectively. Some trims have a split-folding rear seat, but BMW does not offer an optional hands-free or power trunk lid.
Keeping the comparison in the compact sedan class, the CLA ekes out a win.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2018 BMW 3 Series
Both the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the BMW 3 Series feature attractive, well-appointed cabins with premium materials and a sleek layout. However, the CLA has more hard plastics than the 3 Series, giving the 3 Series a more premium aesthetic overall.
Synthetic leather upholstery is standard, and leather upholstery is available in both models.
Interior Features
Winner: 2018 BMW 3 Series
The Mercedes-Benz CLA comes equipped with an 8-inch display screen and the brand’s COMAND infotainment interface, which critics say is more difficult to use than the iDrive infotainment system in the 3 Series, giving the BMW the win.
Both models come standard with Bluetooth and HD Radio. A single USB port is offered in the 3 Series, while the CLA offers two USB ports. Apple CarPlay and navigation are available in either car, though the CLA offers Android Auto, and the 3 Series does not.
Acceleration
Winner: 2018 BMW 3 Series
The Mercedes-Benz CLA runs on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 208 horsepower in the CLA250, and 375 horsepower in the AMG CLA45. Both versions come with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The base BMW 320i’s 180-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is not quite as powerful as the CLA’s and can feel sluggish when accelerating. The 3 Series’ 328d turbodiesel version also delivers 180 horsepower, but it offers a lot more torque, which makes it feel livelier around town. Power ramps up to 248 and 320 horses, respectively, for the 330i and 340i. The M3 delivers 425 horsepower with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder twin-turbo. The 3 Series is available with a manual transmission, while the CLA is not. An eight-speed automatic is available.
Fuel Economy
Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA
The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 achieves 24 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway – one of the highest highway fuel economy ratings in the class. The CLA’s all-wheel-drive version delivers 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. Highway fuel economy drops to 30 mpg for the AMG CLA45.
The BMW 320i delivers 24 mpg around town and 35 mpg on the highway. The turbodiesel version gets 31 city and 43 highway.
Ride & Handling
Winner: 2018 BMW 3 Series
The standard Mercedes-Benz CLA without suspension or tire upgrades can feel uncomfortable over certain roads and surfaces. The latest BMW 3 Series provides a more cushioned ride and more relaxed suspension than in previous generations, enhancing cabin comfort.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA stands out for its agile handling and composed ride, but the BMW 3 Series is more athletic overall, with sharp steering and sturdy brakes.
Safety
Winner: 2018 BMW 3 Series
The Mercedes-Benz CLA has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). A rearview camera, forward collision warning with automatic braking, emergency brake assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring come standard. Adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, active park assist, and lane keep assist are available.
The 2018 BMW 3 Series received excellent safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS. A rearview camera is standard on the 3 Series for the 2018 model year. Several advanced driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and blind spot monitoring are available.
The Winner Is …
2018 BMW 3 Series
Both the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA and 2018 BMW 3 Series offer a luxury experience for less money than the brands’ larger sedans. The more practical CLA leads in price, cargo space, and fuel economy. However, the 3 Series, which comes in more body styles and configurations, bests the CLA in the categories most important to luxury small car buyers: performance, ride quality, and interior comfort.
Both vehicles are impressive luxury small cars, but it’s clear that the 3 Series’ higher ranking is well-deserved. If you’re considering a new CLA, it would be well worth it to pay the extra $2,200 and step up to the 320i.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you’re looking to get a great deal on a Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW 3 Series, or another compact luxury car, like the Audi A4, head over to our best deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are offering.
Once you’re ready to buy your new set of wheels, be sure to use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area offering the lowest prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.
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CLA vs. 3 Series: Which Small German Sports Sedan Is Best for You?
Increasingly competitive and surprisingly refined, the compact luxury car segment is attracting more attention as entrants offer the same layouts and luxuries as their larger counterparts.
Mercedes-Benz launched its CLA “four-door coupe” (basically a sedan with coupe styling) in 2013 as an affordable model to compete with the most popular compact luxury cars on the market, including the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series has been BMW’s best seller for 40 years.
Using U.S. News scoring from our Best Car Rankings, we will determine which sporty German sedan is the best vehicle overall.
Keep in mind that the scores on our site are updated constantly as new expert reviews and data become available. Therefore, the scores mentioned in this slideshow may not match the scores in our reviews.
Read the following pages to see how the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA and 2018 BMW 3 Series compare.