Compare the2026 Mercedes CLA EQVS 2025 Tesla Model 3

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 Model 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Model 3 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The CLA EQ offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 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.

The CLA EQ has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the CLA EQ and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes CLA EQ weighs 499 to 838 pounds more than the Tesla Model 3. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 85 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CLA EQ’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the CLA 350 EQ 4MATIC gets better mileage than the Model 3 Performance (120 city/115 hwy vs. 118 city/107 hwy MPGe).

The CLA EQ can travel longer on a full charge than the Model 3 on a full charge:

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 Model 3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CLA EQ has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CLA EQ flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the CLA EQ’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The CLA EQ has .6 inches more front headroom and 2.8 inches more front shoulder room than the Model 3.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CLA EQ’s trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the CLA EQ to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model 3, 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 Model 3 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 Model 3 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 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model 3.

Compared to the Tesla Model 3’s traditional radio, the Mercedes CLA EQ equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.