Compare the2024 Mercedes CLAVS 2024 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes 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 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The 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 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 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 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The CLA offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 2 Series Gran Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the CLA and 2 Series Gran Coupe have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CLA has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CLA and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CLA second among small premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was rated third.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes CLA is faster than the 228i Gran Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the CLA gets better mileage than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

The 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 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The CLA stops shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLA has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The 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 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CLA’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (107.4 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CLA is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

For better maneuverability, the CLA’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The design of the Mercedes CLA amounts to more than styling. The CLA has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (.27 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the CLA get better fuel mileage.

The CLA has .4 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 2 Series Gran Coupe, the 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 CLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes CLA has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The CLA’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the Mercedes CLA 250 4MATIC higher than the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CLA first among small premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was rated second.