Compare the2024 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2024 Mercedes CLA

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 4 Series Gran Coupe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CLA doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 33 points higher than the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 20 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The 430i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (255 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The M440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (382 vs. 221) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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.

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).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’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 4 Series Gran Coupe offers optional 20-inch wheels. The CLA’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the CLA offer optional heated front seats. The 4 Series Gran Coupe also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes CLA isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

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 52.7% to 54.31% of its original price after five years, while the CLA only retains 51.4% to 51.79%.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Mercedes CLA by over five to one during 2023.