Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG CLAVS 2023 Cadillac CT4-V

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG CLA have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac CT4-V doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The AMG 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 CT4-V doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG CLA. But it costs extra on the CT4-V.

Both the AMG CLA and CT4-V have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG CLA has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CT4-V’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The AMG 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 CT4-V doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG CLA and the CT4-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 57 more horsepower (382 vs. 325) than the CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG CLA 45 is faster than the Cadillac CT4-V turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Mercedes AMG CLA 45 was clocked 8 seconds faster than the Cadillac CT4-V AWD (178.2 sec. vs. 186.2 sec.).

On the EPA test cycle the AMG CLA gets better mileage than the CT4-V:

Regardless of its engine, the AMG CLA’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CT4-V Blackwing doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The AMG CLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CT4-V doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the AMG CLA’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4-V:

The AMG CLA stops shorter than the CT4-V:

The AMG 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 CT4-V doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLA is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CT4-V.

The AMG CLA 45 handles at .99 G’s, while the CT4-V AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLA 45 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the CT4-V (24.1 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG CLA 35’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the CT4-V Blackwing’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The AMG CLA has .2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4-V.

The AMG CLA has a larger trunk than the CT4-V (11.6 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG CLA’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the CT4-V, the AMG CLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG CLA’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CT4-V’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the AMG CLA the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the CT4-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The AMG CLA has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the AMG CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CT4-V doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The CT4-V’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG CLA’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The AMG CLA’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CT4-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The AMG CLA will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the AMG CLA will retain 43.32% to 43.79% of its original price after five years, while the CT4-V only retains 39.23% to 39.53%.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the Mercedes AMG CLA 45 higher than the Cadillac CT4-V.