Compare the2023 Genesis G70VS 2022 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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the G70’s reliability 21 points higher than the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the G70 second among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CLA isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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.

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:

For better traction and acceleration, the G70 has larger rear tires than the CLA (255/35R19 vs. 225/45R18).

The G70’s 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLA’s standard 45 series tires. The G70’s tires are lower profile than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the G70 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on 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 when your hands are full, the G70’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The G70 Advanced/3.3T Sport Prestige also has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The CLA doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Genesis G70, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes CLA isn't recommended.

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.

The Genesis G70 outsold the Mercedes CLA by 28% during the 2021 model year.