Compare the2025 Acura TLXVS 2024 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX 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 TLX’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 TLX 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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 around view monitors.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 TLX’s reliability 40 points higher than the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (272 vs. 221) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 134 more horsepower (355 vs. 221) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mercedes CLA:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The CLA doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CLA doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

For better stopping power the TLX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The TLX stops much shorter than the CLA:

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the CLA (255/35R20 vs. 225/45R18).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLA’s standard 45 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CLA. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the CLA.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CLA doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the CLA (113 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the CLA.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the CLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the CLA 250 4MATIC (24.7 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CLA doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The TLX has 4.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (93.4 vs. 89).

The TLX has .7 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the CLA (13.5 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Acura 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the TLX A-Spec/Type S 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.

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $3920 to $6155 less than the CLA over a five-year period.

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

The Acura TLX outsold the Mercedes CLA by 71% during 2023.