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Mercedes CLA Coupe vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (354 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (39,600 £ vs 36,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes CLA Coupe or VW Passat?

Mercedes CLA Coupe vs VW Passat: Key differences

Mercedes CLA Coupe

4.8 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably more power
  • substantially more electric range
  • somewhat quicker 0–100 km/h

VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly cheaper
  • substantially more efficient
  • only slightly lighter
  • considerably more trunk space

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

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 Passat is very slightly cheaper – starting at 36,500 £ , while the Mercedes CLA Coupe costs 39,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3,174 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Passat uses 1.2 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Mercedes CLA Coupe with 4.9 L/100km. The difference is about 3.7 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers substantially more range – reaching up to 791 km, about 656 km more than the VW Passat.

Passat

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers noticeably more power – delivering 354 HP compared to 272 HP. That’s roughly 82 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes CLA Coupe is somewhat quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the VW Passat takes 5.8 s. That’s about 0.9 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the VW Passat is moderately faster – reaching 250 km/h, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe tops out at 210 km/h. The difference is around 40 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes CLA Coupe delivers visibly more torque with 515 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 115 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 Passat is only slightly lighter – 1,573 kg compared to 1,695 kg. The difference is around 122 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Passat offers considerably more boot space – 690 L compared to 405 L. That’s a difference of about 285 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Passat carries markedly more – 577 kg compared to 455 kg. That’s a difference of about 122 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Passat is far ahead 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 £36,500
Passat

VW Passat

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 122 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.2 - 8 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 124 - 135 km
Mercedes CLA Coupe
VW Passat

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

VW Passat

The VW Passat is the grown-up family car that gets the basics absolutely right — roomy, comfortable and built to handle weekday commutes and weekend getaways without fuss. It won't set your pulse racing, but its calm composure and sensible packaging make it boring in the best possible way: a dependable, no‑drama choice for buyers who value practicality over flash.

details
Mercedes CLA Coupe
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,600 - 59,300 £
Price
36,500 - 58,500 £
Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 5.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
12.2 - 12.6 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
541 - 791 km
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
58 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
0 - 120 g/km
co2
28 - 181 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 66 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
4
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,695 - 2,135 kg
Curb weight
1,573 - 1,858 kg
Trunk capacity
405 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
4,723 mm
Length
4,917 mm
Width
1,855 mm
Width
1,849 mm
Height
1,468 mm
Height
1,521 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,770 L
Payload
430 - 455 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
156 - 354 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 8.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.8 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
210 km/h
Max Speed
220 - 250 km/h
Torque
280 - 515 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
115 - 260 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, C, D
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D, E, B
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
VW
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.