Compare the2024 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2024 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Arteon are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Arteon has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Arteon has standard Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The CLA doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Arteon. But it costs extra on the CLA.

The Arteon’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 Arteon 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 and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Arteon its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been tested, yet.

The Arteon’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CLA’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Arteon for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Arteon’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Arteon’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the CLA’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Arteon’s reliability 20 points higher than the CLA.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 2 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 79 more horsepower (300 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Arteon uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Arteon has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (17.4 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Arteon’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.

The Arteon stops much shorter than the CLA:

For better traction, the Arteon has larger tires than the CLA (245/35R20 vs. 225/45R18).

The Arteon’s 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 standard 45 series tires. The Arteon’s tires are lower profile than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CLA. The CLA’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Arteon SEL Premium has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare 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 Arteon’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the CLA (111.9 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Arteon a Large car, while the CLA is rated a Compact.

The Arteon has 7.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (96.5 vs. 89).

The Arteon has 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 6.3 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Arteon has a standard power liftgate, 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.

The Arteon has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CLA has no towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Arteon to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the CLA.

Consumer Reports rated the Arteon’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the CLA’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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

The Arteon has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CLA. The Arteon SEL Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Arteon SEL Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CLA doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Arteon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CLA.

The Arteon SEL Premium has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CLA.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Arteon, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes CLA isn't recommended.