Hyundai Sonata 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.
Hyundai Sonata
From $29,990
Sedan
Petrol
—
138kW
8.3 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
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 Hyundai Sonata starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class opens at $66,500. That makes the Hyundai Sonata the more affordable entry point by $36,510.
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 $32,989 and $73,150 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by roughly $4,135 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.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof and ambient lighting that the Hyundai Sonata does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Sonata lines up producing 138kW and 241Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic 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 Hyundai Sonata has the clear power advantage at 138kW vs 100kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Sonata measures 4,855mm long on a 2,805mm wheelbase, 132mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 4,723mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Sonata generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.9m diameter
Good
Based on 10.9m 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 9.3 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
1.9 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 $2,366/year for the Hyundai Sonata and $1,539/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. That is a $827 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Estimated annual total: $2,366 (Hyundai Sonata) vs $1,539 (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class saves you roughly $827 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Hyundai Sonata) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Sonata if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Sonata takes 2 of 3 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will save you roughly $827 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Sonata and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The Hyundai Sonata is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by $36,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Sonata all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Sonata has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Sonata makes the most power at 138kW.
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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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