Compare the2023 Mercedes CLAVS 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The CLA’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The CLA offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The CLA has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Camry Hybrid’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CLA has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Camry Hybrid.

The CLA’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CLA and the Camry Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The CLA comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camry Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The CLA 250’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (221 vs. 208) than the Camry Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes CLA is faster than the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

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

The CLA stops much shorter than the Camry Hybrid:

For better traction, the CLA has larger tires than the Camry Hybrid (225/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The CLA’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camry Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLA has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Camry Hybrid.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CLA offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Camry Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The CLA has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The CLA 250 4MATIC handles at .86 G’s, while the Camry Hybrid LE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CLA 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Camry Hybrid LE (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CLA’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Camry Hybrid LE’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The CLA’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Camry Hybrid SE/XLE/XSE’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

The CLA is 7.5 inches shorter than the Camry Hybrid LE/XLE, making the CLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the CLA’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Camry Hybrid’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CLA’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

When three different drivers share the CLA, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions and outside mirror angle. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CLA’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CLA’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Camry Hybrid’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The CLA’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Camry Hybrid and aren’t offered on the Camry Hybrid Nightshade.

When the CLA is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Camry Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CLA’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Camry Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the CLA and the Camry Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CLA has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The CLA’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.