Compare the2023 Cadillac CT4-VVS 2023 Mercedes AMG CLA

Both the CT4-V and AMG CLA have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The CT4-V has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG CLA’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 CT4-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT4-V Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The CT4-V’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 AMG CLA.

Both the CT4-V and the AMG CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The CT4-V’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the AMG CLA’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 46 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CT4-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 7 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (325 vs. 302) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 295) than the AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CT4-V’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 354) than the AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CT4-V Blackwing’s standard 3.6 turbo V6 produces 90 more horsepower (472 vs. 382) and 91 lbs.-ft. more torque (445 vs. 354) than the AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT4-V’s fuel efficiency. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT4-V has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG CLA (17 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT4-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac CT4-V higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Mercedes AMG CLA (3 to 5). This means the CT4-V produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the AMG CLA every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT4-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the AMG CLA.

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

The CT4-V stops shorter than the AMG CLA:

The CT4-V has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT4-V’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the AMG CLA (109.3 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The CT4-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.3% to 47.7%) than the AMG CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the CT4-V more stable handling and braking.

The CT4-V has .6 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room and .8 inches more rear headroom than the AMG CLA.

The CT4-V has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The AMG CLA has no towing capacity.

The engine in the CT4-V is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG CLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The CT4-V’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The AMG CLA does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CT4-V has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

On extremely cold winter days, the CT4-V’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac CT4-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG CLA.

The CT4-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the CT4-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT4-V will cost $1175 to $7195 less than the AMG CLA over a five-year period.

The CT4-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 2022. The AMG CLA has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Cadillac CT4 outsold the Mercedes CLA by 6% during 2022.