Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG CLAVS 2023 Honda Civic Si

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 Civic Si doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The AMG CLA’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The AMG CLA has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Civic Si doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The AMG CLA offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Civic Si only offers a rear monitor.

Both the AMG CLA and Civic Si 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 Civic Si’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

The AMG CLA has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the AMG CLA and the Civic Si 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, 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG CLA weighs 553 to 708 pounds more than the Honda Civic Si. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Honda With 35 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Honda.

Engine

The AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 102 more horsepower (302 vs. 200) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 192) than the Civic Si’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 182 more horsepower (382 vs. 200) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 192) than the Civic Si’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG CLA’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Civic Si doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The AMG CLA has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Si (13.5 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The AMG CLA has a standard automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The Civic Si doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

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 Civic Si doesn’t offer an SMG.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the AMG CLA offers an optional up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Civic Si doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The AMG CLA’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 Civic Si doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the AMG CLA’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic Si:

	AMG CLA	AMG CLA 45	Civic Si
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	14.2 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.1 inches

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

The AMG CLA stops shorter than the Civic Si:

	AMG CLA	Civic Si
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG CLA 45’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Civic Si (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R18).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG CLA offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Civic Si’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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

Suspension and Handling

The AMG CLA has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Civic Si’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The AMG 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 Civic Si’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 Civic Si doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLA is 3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Civic Si.

The AMG CLA 45 handles at .99 G’s, while the Civic Si pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLA 45 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Civic Si (24.1 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG CLA 35’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Civic Si’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

Cargo Capacity

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the AMG CLA. The Civic Si doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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 Civic Si doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The AMG CLA uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Civic Si uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The AMG CLA has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the AMG 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 Civic Si doesn’t offer a memory system.

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

The AMG CLA offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the AMG CLA and the Civic Si have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the AMG CLA is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Civic Si prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The AMG CLA’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Civic Si’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or 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 Civic Si can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The AMG 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 Civic Si’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 AMG CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Civic Si doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG CLA offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Civic Si doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG CLA also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the AMG 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 Civic Si’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The AMG 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 Civic Si doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The AMG CLA offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Civic Si.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the AMG CLA keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Civic Si doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The AMG CLA offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Civic Si.

The AMG CLA’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Civic Si doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the AMG CLA. The AMG CLA’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Civic Si doesn’t offer a navigation system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG CLA offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Civic Si doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 Civic Si doesn’t offer an automated parking system.