BMW 4 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLA

BMW 4 Series

BMW’s compact executive coupé.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes' 4-door coupe on the MFA2 platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW 4 Series

Pick the 4 Series Coupé for an elegant rear-wheel-drive coupé with a premium interior and a strong B58 engine range.

Best engine: The 420i (184 hp) or 440i (326 hp).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Pick the CLA for coupe styling with MBUX technology and efficient engines in a premium compact 4-door coupe.

Best engine: The CLA 200 (petrol) or CLA 200 d / CLA 220 d (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

420i · Petrol vs M282 CLA 200 · Petrol

	BMW 4 Series	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Power	184 hp Winner	163 hp
Torque	300 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,5 s Winner	8,5 s
Top speed	240 km/h Winner	229 km/h
Power-to-weight	117,9 hp/t Winner	109,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	149 g/km	139 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,5 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	BMW 4 Series	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Boot	440 L	460 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.200 L	1.240 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,85 m Winner	2,73 m
Length	4,77 m	4,69 m
Width	1,85 m	1,83 m
Height	1,38 m	1,44 m
Seats	4	5 Winner

Powertrain & tech

	BMW 4 Series	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Platform	F30 (F32) · CLAR (G22)	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177 and B-Class W247)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	B48 2.0 · B58 3.0 petrol · B47 2.0 · B57 3.0 diesel	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	6-speed manual · 8-speed automatic (ZF)	7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual)
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW 4 Series

N20 timing chain (early 420i/428i, pre-2016)
Cooling-system plastic parts (expansion tank/hoses)
Suspension bushings and control arms (M Sport)

Mercedes-Benz CLA

M282 (1.3): thermostat/cooling and elevated oil consumption reported
Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
MBUX software glitches (mostly resolved by updates)

Pros

BMW 4 Series

Elegant rear-wheel-drive coupé with sharp handling
B58 (M440i) and later B48 are reliable
420d is the economy champion

Mercedes-Benz CLA

4-door coupe styling with a usable 460 L boot
MBUX dual-screen with voice control (C118)
Efficient OM654 diesel (CLA 200 d: 150 hp / 320 Nm)
CLA 250 e PHEV: 218 hp and 450 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

BMW 4 Series

Tight rear seats, not a family car
Firm suspension (M Sport) trades away comfort

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Low roofline limits rear headroom
Dual-clutch gearbox needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips

Driving experience

BMW 4 Series

Sharper and more refined than the F32. Steering is precise and well-weighted, body control is excellent, and the car feels planted and engaging. Rear-drive versions retain classic BMW balance; xDrive versions are more neutral and secure in poor conditions. Adaptive suspension (where fitted) offers a useful range between firm and acceptable comfort. The B58 M440i is the standout: strong, refined, free-revving and characterful with excellent mid-range punch. B48 four-cylinders are smooth and responsive. Mild-hybrid systems add minor refinement and stop-start smoothness on equipped cars. Overall a stylish, driver-focused coupé that balances dynamics with modern refinement.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Comfortable, quiet and far more grown-up than the C117. The C118 rides with better isolation and body control, steers accurately, and feels closer to a proper Mercedes inside. Front-drive versions are easy; 4MATIC adds traction in poor conditions. The M282/M260 petrols are smooth and eager, the OM654 diesel is the long-distance pick, and the 250 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The dual-clutch is smoother than before, though still occasionally hesitant at low speed. It is a much better all-rounder than the first CLA, with the same coupé styling and fewer of the compromises.