Compare the2023 Jaguar XFVS 2023 Mercedes CLA

Both the XF and CLA have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XF 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 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the XF’s standard All Surface Progress Control allows you to creep down safely. The CLA doesn’t offer All Surface Progress Control.

The XF’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 XF and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and driver alert monitors.

The XF comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CLA’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

The XF’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CLA’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the XF for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Jaguar will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

The XF P250’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (246 vs. 221) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (269 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The XF P300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 75 more horsepower (296 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the XF’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CLA doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The XF has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (19.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jaguar XF higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes CLA (5). This means the XF produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CLA every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Jaguar XF, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

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

The XF’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.

For better traction, the XF has larger standard tires than the CLA (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The XF’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA (255/35R20 vs. 225/45R18).

The XF’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 CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XF offers optional 20-inch wheels. The CLA’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The XF 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 XF’s wheelbase is 9.1 inches longer than on the CLA (116.5 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The XF has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (95 vs. 89).

The XF has 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the XF offers cargo security. The CLA’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the XF has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the XF uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CLA doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the XF 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XF SE/R-Dynamic offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CLA doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the XF SE/R-Dynamic to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLA doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The XF has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CLA. The XF SE/R-Dynamic also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

The XF R-Dynamic offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CLA.

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

Insurance will cost less for the XF owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XF will cost $2295 less than the CLA over a five-year period.