Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Volkswagen Crafter
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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
From $66,500
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
100kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
405L
Volkswagen Crafter
From $69,100
Cab Chassis
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
—
ANCAP: no data
—
Track the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class & Volkswagen Crafter
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class starts from $66,500 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Crafter opens at $69,100. That makes the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class the more affordable entry point by $2,600.
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 $76,010 respectively.
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. 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 that you will not find on the Volkswagen Crafter. The Volkswagen Crafter counters with Apple CarPlay. 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 Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter driving the front wheels.
The Volkswagen Crafter has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 100kW. 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, 2123mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 6,846mm (4,490mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
16.2m diameter
Large
Based on 16.2m 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.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 13.9 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m — 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m — 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide — fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m — careful, tight swing
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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Volkswagen Crafter trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. 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 Volkswagen Crafter?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the cheapest at $66,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Crafter by $2,600.
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?
None of Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Volkswagen Crafter carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Crafter makes the most power at 130kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
