Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class & Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
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Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class starts from $57,900 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV opens at $58,990. That makes the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class the more affordable entry point by $1,090.
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 $63,690 and $64,889 respectively.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by roughly $8,975 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.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
22.7kWh usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
DC fast charging · to 80%
Public DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 50kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 50kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV counters with Apple CarPlay, power tailgate and Yamaha audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses a Petrol producing 120kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV responds with a Petrol making 221kW and 195Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the clear power advantage at 221kW vs 120kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class measures 4,688mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 32mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at 4,720mm (2,704mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 460L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 472L in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, giving the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a 12L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.2m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and $58/year for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. That is a $1,795 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Estimated annual total: $1,853 (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class) vs $58 (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV saves you roughly $1,795 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will save you roughly $1,795 a year in fuel. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the cheapest at $57,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by $1,090.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses the least fuel at 1.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the largest boot at 472L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV makes the most power at 221kW. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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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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