Honda HR-V vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Honda HR-V at 4 stars (2022) and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 82% for the Honda HR-V and 94% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, against 5 on the Honda HR-V.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Honda HR-V and 7 in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Honda HR-V stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Honda HR-V uses a Petrol producing 89kW and 145Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.

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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the clear power advantage at 100kW vs 89kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Honda HR-V measures 4,345mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 378mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 4,723mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 304L in the Honda HR-V and 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a 101L advantage.

The Honda HR-V turns in a 11.0 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class's turning circle is not on our record.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Honda HR-V costs about $1,767 a year (6.2 L/100km) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class about $1,539 a year (5.4 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $228 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Honda HR-V) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Honda HR-V), no data (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class).

Where each one leads

The Honda HR-V: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: more power (100kW against 89kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (405L against 304L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,539 a year against $1,767).

The Verdict

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class scores higher, 75 vs 74

The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class scores 75 to the Honda HR-V's 74 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 3 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 10 points), value (Honda HR-V ahead by 10 points), fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class costs about $228 less (5.4 L/100km against 6.2 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 304L in the Honda HR-V, 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

Common questions