Compare the2026 Mercedes CLA EQVS 2026 Subaru Solterra

The CLA EQ’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Solterra doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The CLA EQ has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Solterra doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The CLA EQ has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Solterra doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the CLA EQ and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The CLA EQ comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Solterra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The CLA 250+ EQ’s standard electric motor produces 35 more horsepower (268 vs. 233) than the Solterra’s standard electric motors. The CLA 350 4MATIC EQ’s standard electric motors produces 11 more horsepower (349 vs. 338) than the Solterra XT’s standard electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the CLA EQ gets better mileage than the Solterra:

The CLA EQ can travel longer on a full charge than the Solterra on a full charge:

The CLA 250+ EQ’s standard 205/55R17 front and 225/50R17 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solterra Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The CLA EQ’s optional 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Solterra Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the CLA EQ can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Solterra doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CLA EQ is 7.2 inches shorter in height than the Solterra, making the CLA EQ much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The CLA EQ has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and 1.5 inches more front shoulder room than the Solterra.

The CLA EQ uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Solterra uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Solterra, the CLA EQ 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 EQ offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Solterra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLA EQ offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Solterra doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CLA EQ also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The CLA EQ’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Solterra has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes CLA EQ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

The CLA EQ offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Solterra.

The CLA EQ is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Solterra doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.