Compare the2023 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Mercedes CLA

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLA doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLA.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the 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, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLA’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 48 points higher than the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe third among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CLA isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 24 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 BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 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 BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

The 430i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (255 vs. 221) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (382 vs. 221) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CLA doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (15.6 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’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 CLA doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’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 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the CLA (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA (F:245/40R19 & R:255/40R19 vs. 225/45R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the CLA (112.4 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.8% to 50.2%) than the CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the 4 Series Gran Coupe more stable handling and braking.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Laser headlights, optional on the 4 Series Gran Coupe, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the CLA’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes CLA isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Insurance will cost less for the 4 Series Gran Coupe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost $400 to $2530 less than the CLA over a five-year period.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4 Series Gran Coupe will retain 46.46% to 47.21% of its original price after five years, while the CLA only retains 41.76% to 41.79%.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Mercedes CLA by over four to one during 2022.