Tesla Model 3 vs Mercedes CLA electric: price, range and cost per mile
The Model 3 starts £1,160 cheaper and has the bigger boot. The CLA goes further on a charge, charges faster and costs slightly less per mile. Here is how the numbers stack up.
Quick answers
- The Tesla Model 3 Standard is the cheaper way in at £37,990 in November 2026, £1,160 below the £39,150 Mercedes CLA 200 Sport.
- In Auto Express's twin test the CLA 250+ returned 4.1 miles per kWh and 351 miles of real-world range, against 3.8 miles per kWh and 285 miles for the Model 3.
- On EV Compared's calculation, the CLA 250+ costs 1.95p a mile on 8p/kWh home charging against 2.11p for the Model 3 Long Range, a gap of about £16 every 10,000 miles.
- At the 79p/kWh average rapid price, the same two cars cost 19.27p and 20.79p a mile, so the gap grows to about £152 every 10,000 miles.
- The CLA 250+ charges at up to 320 kW, against 250 kW for the Model 3 Long Range and 175 kW for the Model 3 Standard.
- The Model 3 has 594 litres of total boot space plus an 88-litre front boot, against 405 litres plus a 101-litre front boot in the CLA saloon.
- Both pay 4% benefit-in-kind in 2026/27, so a 40% taxpayer pays about £51 a month for a Model 3 Standard and about £58 a month for a CLA 250+ Sport.
The Mercedes CLA is the better car to drive and goes further on a charge; the Tesla Model 3 is cheaper to buy and more practical. On running costs the CLA edges it, at 1.95p a mile on home charging against 2.11p for the Model 3, which works out at about £16 every 10,000 miles.
The CLA arrived in 2025 as Mercedes’ first car on its new 800-volt platform, aimed squarely at the Model 3. Auto Express put the two head to head in November 2025 and the CLA won. That does not make it the right choice for everyone, so here is how they compare on price, range, charging, space, tax and the cost of every mile.
How much do the Model 3 and CLA cost in the UK?
The Tesla Model 3 is the cheaper car, starting at £37,990 for the Standard in November 2026, against £39,150 for the CLA 200 Sport. The entry Model 3 price has not moved since January 2026, according to the EV Industry News price tracker.
| Version | List price (Nov 2026) | Battery | WLTP range | Peak DC charging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Standard | £37,990 | 62.5 kWh (est.) | 332 miles | 175 kW |
| Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD | £44,990 | 84.7 kWh (est.) | 466 miles | 250 kW |
| Mercedes CLA 200 Sport | £39,150 | 58 kWh | 331 miles | 200 kW |
| Mercedes CLA 250+ Sport | £43,250 | 85 kWh | 483 miles | 320 kW |
| Mercedes CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium | £48,950 | 85 kWh | 462 miles | 320 kW |
| Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic AMG Line Premium+ | £56,350 | 85 kWh | 447 miles | 320 kW |
Tesla prices come from Carwow and Auto Express; Mercedes prices from Carwow’s trim list. Tesla does not publish battery sizes, so its figures are Auto Express estimates. The CLA 250+ Sport has come down since launch: electrive reported £45,615 for the equivalent Sport Edition in May 2025, so it is now £2,365 cheaper and only £1,740 dearer than the Model 3 Long Range.
Neither car qualifies for the Electric Car Grant, which stops at £37,000. The CLA 350 and the CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium+ (£52,450) sit above the £50,000 expensive car supplement threshold, so they pay an extra £440 a year in vehicle tax for five years from the second year. The Model 3 Standard and Long Range RWD stay well under it.
Which has more range?
The CLA has more range, on paper and on the road. The CLA 250+ Sport claims up to 483 miles WLTP on 18-inch wheels, against 466 miles for the Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD.
The real-world gap is bigger. In Auto Express’s twin test, a CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium managed 351 miles against 285 miles for the Model 3, a 66-mile advantage. At the cheaper end the two are level on paper: the CLA 200 claims 331 miles and the Model 3 Standard 332 miles.
Both will lose range in cold weather; our guide to how much range EVs lose in winter explains how much to allow.
Which is cheaper to run per mile?
The CLA is slightly cheaper to run, because it went further on each kWh in the same test. Auto Express recorded 4.1 miles per kWh for the CLA 250+ and 3.8 miles per kWh for the Model 3 on the same route (the Tesla figure came from a Long Range AWD).
We worked out what that means at three UK electricity prices: 8p/kWh on a smart off-peak tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go, 26.32p/kWh on the October to December 2026 price cap, and 79p/kWh, Zapmap’s September 2026 average for pay-as-you-go rapid charging.
Method: price per kWh ÷ miles per kWh = cost per mile; multiplied by 10,000 for a typical year’s driving.
| Electricity price | CLA 250+ (4.1 mi/kWh) | Model 3 (3.8 mi/kWh) | Gap per 10,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home off-peak, 8p/kWh | 1.95p a mile (£195) | 2.11p a mile (£211) | £16 |
| Price cap, 26.32p/kWh | 6.42p a mile (£642) | 6.93p a mile (£693) | £51 |
| Public rapid, 79p/kWh | 19.27p a mile (£1,927) | 20.79p a mile (£2,079) | £152 |
If you charge at home on an off-peak tariff, the difference is close to irrelevant. It only becomes meaningful if you rely on public rapid chargers. Model 3 owners can cut that cost on Tesla’s own network; see our guide to Tesla Supercharger prices.
Separate Auto Express tests show how much efficiency depends on the version and route. A CLA 250+ Sport Executive returned 4.8 miles per kWh (1.67p a mile at 8p), and a Model 3 RWD returned 4.4 miles per kWh on a mixed rural and motorway route (1.82p a mile). Those came from different routes, so they are not a direct comparison, but the gap between the cheaper versions is similarly narrow.
Which charges faster?
The CLA charges faster. Its 800-volt system peaks at 320 kW, and Carwow quotes about 22 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent charge. The Model 3 Long Range peaks at 250 kW and the Standard at 175 kW, with Auto Express quoting under 30 minutes for 10 to 80 per cent.
In Auto Express’s twin test the CLA added 200 miles in 10 minutes, against 172 miles in 15 minutes for the Model 3. The CLA 200’s smaller LFP battery peaks at 200 kW.
Two caveats for CLA buyers. First, charging on older 400-volt rapid chargers is a £850 option, not standard. Second, the CLA can only use the Tesla Supercharger sites that are open to other EVs, whereas the Model 3 can use the whole network with automatic payment and battery preconditioning.
Which is more practical?
The Model 3 is more practical. Auto Express and Carwow quote 594 litres of total boot space, plus an 88-litre front boot. The CLA saloon has 405 litres plus a 101-litre front boot on single-motor versions. In the twin test the Model 3 also had a lower boot lip, 600mm against 735mm.
If boot space is the deciding factor, the CLA Shooting Brake estate raises the figure to 455 litres. For a fuller look at the CLA range, including the hybrid, see our Mercedes CLA electric vs hybrid guide.
Which is cheaper as a company car?
Both pay 4% benefit-in-kind in 2026/27, so the list price decides the bill.
Method: list price × 4% × your tax rate ÷ 12.
| Version | List price | 20% taxpayer | 40% taxpayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Standard | £37,990 | £25 a month | £51 a month |
| Mercedes CLA 200 Sport | £39,150 | £26 a month | £52 a month |
| Mercedes CLA 250+ Sport | £43,250 | £29 a month | £58 a month |
| Tesla Model 3 Premium LR RWD | £44,990 | £30 a month | £60 a month |
The CLA 250+ Sport is £2 a month cheaper for a 40% taxpayer than the Model 3 Long Range, and goes further on a charge. Our guide to Tesla company car tax covers the rest of the Tesla range.
Which holds its value better?
Auto Express forecasts that the CLA will keep 50 to 56 per cent of its value after three years, against 40 to 46 per cent for the Model 3. Those are predictions, not recorded used prices. On a £43,250 CLA 250+ Sport, 50 per cent is about £21,600 after three years; on a £44,990 Model 3 Long Range, 46 per cent is about £20,700. If you are buying used, our used Tesla Model 3 buying guide explains what to check.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Tesla Model 3 if:
- You want the cheapest way into an electric executive saloon, at £37,990
- You need the bigger boot
- You do long trips and want the full Supercharger network
- You want Long Range performance: Auto Express quotes 4.9 seconds to 60 mph
Buy the Mercedes CLA if:
- You want the better ride and refinement, which won it the Auto Express twin test
- You want the longest range and fastest charging for the money
- You want, on current forecasts, stronger resale values
- You are a company car driver choosing between the CLA 250+ Sport and the Model 3 Long Range
If you have narrowed it to the Tesla, our Model 3 Standard vs Long Range comparison shows whether the extra £7,000 is worth it.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 1 November 2026. How we work out our own figures.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes CLA better than the Tesla Model 3?
The Mercedes CLA beat the Tesla Model 3 in Auto Express's November 2025 twin test, winning on ride, refinement, efficiency and range. The Model 3 is cheaper to buy, quicker in Long Range form and has the bigger boot, so it remains the better value pick for many private buyers.
Which has more range, the CLA or the Model 3?
The CLA 250+ has more range, with up to 483 miles WLTP against 466 miles for the Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD. In Auto Express's twin test the gap widened to 351 miles for the CLA against 285 miles for the Model 3.
Which is cheaper to run, the CLA or the Model 3?
The CLA 250+ is slightly cheaper to run, at 1.95p a mile on 8p/kWh home charging against 2.11p for the Model 3 Long Range, based on the 4.1 and 3.8 miles per kWh each car returned in the same Auto Express test. That is about £16 every 10,000 miles at home, rising to about £152 if every mile came from 79p/kWh rapid chargers.
How much does the Mercedes CLA electric cost in the UK?
The Mercedes CLA electric costs from £39,150 for the CLA 200 Sport with a 58 kWh battery, according to Carwow's trim list. The CLA 250+ Sport with the 85 kWh battery starts at £43,250 and the twin-motor CLA 350 4Matic at £56,350.
Can a Mercedes CLA use Tesla Superchargers?
Yes, a Mercedes CLA can use the Tesla Supercharger sites that are open to other EVs, because it uses the CCS connector. It cannot use Tesla-only sites, which remain reserved for Tesla owners.
Which holds its value better, the CLA or the Model 3?
Auto Express predicts the CLA will hold its value better, keeping 50 to 56 per cent after three years against 40 to 46 per cent for the Model 3. Those are forecasts, not recorded used prices.
Sources and further reading
- autoexpress.co.ukTesla Model 3 vs Mercedes CLA: which EV is the elite executive car?Twin test published 22 November 2025: CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium at £51,770 returned 4.1 miles per kWh and 351 miles real range; Model 3 returned 3.8 miles per kWh and 285 miles; CLA 320 kW against Model 3 Long Range 250 kW; boot lip heights; CLA won.
- autoexpress.co.ukMercedes CLA Electric reviewCLA 200 331 miles; CLA 250+ up to 483 miles and 4.8 miles per kWh on test in Sport Executive form; CLA 350 447 miles; 405-litre boot, 455-litre Shooting Brake and 101-litre front boot; 400V DC charging a £850 option; residual forecasts of 50 to 56 per cent (CLA) and 40 to 46 per cent (Model 3).
- carwow.co.ukMercedes-Benz CLA Electric Review 2026UK trim prices from £39,150 (CLA 200 Sport) to £56,350 (CLA 350 4Matic), CLA 250+ Sport £43,250, AMG Line Premium £48,950, AMG Line Premium+ £52,450, and 10 to 80 per cent charge in about 22 minutes.
- electrive.comMercedes-Benz reveals UK pricing and specs for new CLAUK launch price of £45,615 for the CLA 250+ Sport Edition in May 2025, with an 85 kWh battery and 320 kW charging.
- ev-database.orgMercedes-Benz CLA 250+CLA 250+ usable battery of 85 kWh and a £43,250 UK on-the-road price.
- ev-database.orgMercedes-Benz CLA 200CLA 200 usable battery of 58 kWh, 200 kW peak DC charging and a £39,150 UK price.
- autoexpress.co.ukTesla Model 3 reviewModel 3 RWD 332 miles and 4.4 miles per kWh on test; Long Range RWD 466 miles; estimated batteries of 62.5 and 84.7 kWh; 175 kW (Standard) and 250 kW (other versions), 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes; 594-litre boot and 88-litre front boot (updated 27 July 2026).
- carwow.co.ukTesla Model 3 Review 2026Model 3 from £37,990, Premium versions up to 466 miles, 594-litre boot (page updated 2 October 2026).
- evinfo.infoTesla Price Tracker UKEntry Model 3 at £37,990 since January 2026, unchanged through October 2026.
- gov.ukVehicle tax rate tablesExpensive car supplement of £440 a year for electric cars with a list price over £50,000.
- zapmap.comZapmap charging price indexAverage pay-as-you-go rapid and ultra-rapid price of 79p/kWh in September 2026.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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