Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Subaru BRZ
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.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
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.
$66,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$49,190RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class & Subaru BRZ
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Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class starts from $66,500 before on-road costs, while the Subaru BRZ opens at $49,190. That makes the Subaru BRZ the more affordable entry point by $17,310.
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 $73,150 and $54,109 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by roughly $5,845 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Subaru BRZ. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- REC-005401 · published 6 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 7 more on the model page.
Subaru BRZ
- REC-005776 · published 13 Sep 2023Due to a potential design concern with the rear tail lights control circuit, the turn and hazard indicators lamps may not illuminate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru BRZ. The Subaru BRZ counters with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses a Petrol producing 100kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.8 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ responds with a Petrol making 174kW and 250Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ has the clear power advantage at 174kW vs 100kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Subaru BRZ is 2.5s 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 4,723mm long on a 2,790mm wheelbase, 458mm longer than the Subaru BRZ at 4,265mm (2,575mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 201L in the Subaru BRZ, giving the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a 204L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m diameter
Good
Based on 10.8m 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 9.6 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 $1,539/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ. That is a $1,169 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru BRZ). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru BRZ).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru BRZ if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 62, but the Subaru BRZ is $17,310 cheaper
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 62), taking 2 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 37), safety (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 25), practicality (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 19). The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will save you roughly $1,169 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 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, Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Subaru BRZ?
The Subaru BRZ is the cheapest at $49,190 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by $17,310.
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?
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We hold no ANCAP data for Subaru BRZ, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the largest boot at 405L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru BRZ makes the most power at 174kW. The Subaru BRZ is quickest to 100km/h in 6.3s.
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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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