Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Toyota Camry
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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
From $66,500
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
100kW
5.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
405L
Toyota Camry
From $39,990
Sedan
Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl Dual VVT-i Hybrid
170kW
4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
524L
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class starts from $66,500 before on-road costs, while the Toyota Camry opens at $39,990. That makes the Toyota Camry the more affordable entry point by $26,510.
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 $73,150 and $43,989 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota Camry by roughly $1,995 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Toyota Camry hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 94% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 95% for the Toyota Camry.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 8 in the Toyota Camry.
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 panoramic roof and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota Camry. 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 Toyota Camry responds with a 2.5L 4-cyl Dual VVT-i Hybrid making 170kW and 221Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds.
The Toyota Camry has the clear power advantage at 170kW vs 100kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota Camry is 0.7s 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, 197mm shorter than the Toyota Camry at 4,920mm (2,825mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Camry generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 524L in the Toyota Camry, giving the Toyota Camry a 119L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m 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.
Average
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 $1,140/year for the Toyota Camry. That is a $399 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Camry.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Camry). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Camry if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota Camry takes 5 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Toyota Camry will save you roughly $399 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry is the cheapest at $39,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by $26,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Camry uses the least fuel at 4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Toyota Camry all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota Camry has the largest boot at 524L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Camry has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Camry makes the most power at 170kW. The Toyota Camry is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
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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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