BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BMW 3 Series
From $94,700
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
190kW
6.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
From $66,500
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
100kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
405L
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 3 Series starts from $94,700 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class opens at $66,500. That makes the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class the more affordable entry point by $28,200.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $104,170 and $73,150 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by roughly $1,570 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW 3 Series stands out with Harman Kardon audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class counters with panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW 3 Series uses a Petrol producing 190kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class responds with a Petrol making 100kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds.
The BMW 3 Series has the clear power advantage at 190kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW 3 Series is 3.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 3 Series measures 4,713mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 10mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 4,723mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 3 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the BMW 3 Series and 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, giving the BMW 3 Series a 75L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.5 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the BMW 3 Series and $1,539/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. That is a $314 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Estimated annual total: $1,853 (BMW 3 Series) vs $1,539 (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class saves you roughly $314 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 3 Series takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will save you roughly $314 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 3 Series has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the cheapest at $66,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 3 Series by $28,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 3 Series has the largest boot at 480L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 3 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 3 Series makes the most power at 190kW. The BMW 3 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 5.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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