Compare the2023 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen GTI are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The GTI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLA doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GTI has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CLA doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The GTI’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLA.

Both the GTI and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GTI the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 164 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been tested, yet.

The GTI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CLA’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the GTI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GTI’s warranty.

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the CLA’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (241 vs. 221) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen GTI is faster than the Mercedes CLA (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The CLA doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen GTI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLA requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The GTI Automatic’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CLA doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the GTI’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The GTI’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CLA are solid, not vented.

The GTI stops much shorter than the CLA:

For better traction, the GTI Autobahn’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA (235/35R19 vs. 225/45R18).

The GTI’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLA’s standard 45 series tires. The GTI Autobahn’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

The GTI has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the CLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The GTI handles at .96 G’s, while the CLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GTI executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the CLA 250 4MATIC (25 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The Volkswagen GTI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Mercedes CLA.

The GTI is 1 foot, 3.8 inches shorter than the CLA, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GTI has 2.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (91.9 vs. 89).

The GTI has .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the CLA.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GTI easier. The GTI’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the CLA’s liftover is 30.1 inches.

The GTI’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CLA does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GTI has a standard rear wiper. The CLA doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports rated the GTI’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the CLA’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GTI has standard extendable sun visors. The CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The GTI has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CLA. The GTI Autobahn also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

The GTI has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CLA.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLA.

The GTI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 16 of the last 16 years. The CLA has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the GTI as their 2015 Car of the Year. The CLA has never been chosen.

The GTI was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The CLA has never been an “All Star.”

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Mercedes CLA by 22% during the 2022 model year.