Compare the2022 Genesis G70VS 2021 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Genesis G70 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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the G70 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CLA doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The G70 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CLA doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The G70’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 G70 and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view 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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the G70 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 63 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been tested, yet.

The G70 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The CLA’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the G70 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The G70’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CLA’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the G70 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the G70 first among compact premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The CLA isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 15 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The G70 2.0T’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (252 vs. 221) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The G70 3.3T’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 144 more horsepower (365 vs. 221) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The G70 3.3T’s optional 3.3 turbo V6 produces 147 more horsepower (368 vs. 221) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the G70 3.3T 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the Mercedes CLA:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Genesis G70 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLA requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The G70 has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (15.8 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Genesis G70, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

The G70’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 G70 3.3T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The G70 3.3T’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 G70 stops much shorter than the CLA:

The G70 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the G70’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the CLA (111.6 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The G70’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the G70 more stable handling and braking.

The G70 handles at .94 G’s, while the CLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The G70 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the CLA 250 4MATIC (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The G70 has 6.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (95.9 vs. 89).

The G70 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the G70 3.3T Prestige/3.3T Sport has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The engine in the G70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Consumer Reports rated the G70’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 G70 has standard extendable sun visors. The CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The G70 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CLA. The G70 Prestige/Sport also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

Insurance will cost less for the G70 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the G70 will cost $1085 to $4770 less than the CLA over a five-year period.

The G70 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The CLA has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the G70 as their 2019 Car of the Year. The CLA has never been chosen.