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Mercedes CLA Coupe vs VW Golf Variant comparison

Compare performance (354 HP vs 204 HP), boot space and price (39,600 £ vs 28,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes CLA Coupe or VW Golf Variant?

Mercedes CLA Coupe vs VW Golf Variant: Key differences

Mercedes CLA Coupe

4.8 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly more power
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

VW Golf Variant

  • markedly cheaper
  • somewhat more efficient
  • visibly lighter
  • visibly more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

CLA Coupe

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

VW Golf Variant is markedly cheaper – starting at 28,800 £ , while the Mercedes CLA Coupe costs 39,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 10,789 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf Variant uses 4.3 L/100km and is somewhat more efficient than the Mercedes CLA Coupe with 4.9 L/100km. The difference is about 0.6 L/100km.

Golf Variant

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers clearly more power – delivering 354 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 150 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes CLA Coupe is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the VW Golf Variant takes 6.5 s. That’s about 1.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes CLA Coupe delivers clearly more torque with 515 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 155 Nm more.

CLA Coupe

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf Variant is visibly lighter – 1,366 kg compared to 1,695 kg. The difference is around 329 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf Variant offers visibly more boot space – 611 L compared to 405 L. That’s a difference of about 206 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf Variant carries moderately more – 547 kg compared to 455 kg. That’s a difference of about 92 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes CLA Coupe is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,600
CLA Coupe

Mercedes CLA Coupe

  • Engine Type : Electric, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 156 - 354 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.9 - 5.3 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 12.2 - 12.6 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 542 - 791 km
details

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Mercedes CLA Coupe
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mercedes CLA Coupe

The Mercedes CLA Coupe cuts a rakish silhouette that blends sporty coupe lines with everyday practicality, giving style-minded buyers a premium image without shouting. Inside it feels more luxurious than its size suggests, with a slick cabin, intuitive tech and a composed ride — the kind of car that parties in the city and still shows up polished on Sunday morning.

details
19C0225_069
19C0225_068
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Reviews Mercedes CLA Coupe

4.8 (2 Reviews)
rate
marco
12 Mar 2026, 18:44:45

A car with a unique line — the shooting brake finally gets a sporty rear and a roomy trunk.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Dejf
18 Dec 2025, 14:59:40

Nice efficient car. Like it

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

VW Golf Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

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DB2021AU00446_medium
DB2021AU00624_medium
DB2021AU00625_medium
DB2021AU00816_medium
DB2021AU00818_medium
DB2021AU00641_medium
DB2021AU00910_medium

Reviews VW Golf Variant

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Mercedes CLA Coupe
VW Golf Variant

Costs and Consumption
Price
39,600 - 59,300 £
Price
28,800 - 38,800 £
Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 5.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
12.2 - 12.6 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
542 - 791 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 120 g/km
co2
114 - 159 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,695 - 2,135 kg
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,551 kg
Trunk capacity
405 L
Trunk capacity
611 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,855 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
430 - 455 kg
Payload
509 - 547 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
156 - 354 HP
Power HP
116 - 204 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 8.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
280 - 515 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
115 - 260 kW
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, C, D
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, C
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
VW
What drivetrain options does the Mercedes CLA Coupe have?

The Mercedes CLA Coupe is available as Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive or Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.