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Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake vs Polestar 2 comparison

Compare performance (354 HP vs 476 HP), boot space and price (40,800 £ vs 45,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake or Polestar 2?

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake vs Polestar 2: Key differences

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake

5 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • moderately cheaper
  • moderately more efficient
  • slightly more electric range
  • noticeably lighter
  • a bit more trunk space
details

Polestar 2

5 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably more power
  • somewhat quicker 0–100 km/h
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

CLA Shooting Brake

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake VS Polestar 2 — quick take

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake and the Polestar 2 arrive from different design philosophies but compete for the same buyer who wants a premium electric car with real-world range. The CLA shoots for sleek shooting‑brake style, headline-grabbing tech and ultra-fast charging, while the Polestar 2 trades showmanship for a sober, well-built fastback with practical hatchback usability. In everyday terms that means the CLA emphasises brisk charging stops and a modern digital cabin, whereas the Polestar focuses on predictable efficiency, simple Google-native infotainment and robust fit-and-finish. Choosing between them boils down to whether you prefer tech-forward flair or understated, practical refinement.

2

Character and driving feel

The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake drives lighter and more agile, with steering that encourages cornering and a suspension tune that favours precision over plushness. The Polestar 2 feels heavier and more planted, rewarding steady inputs and long straights with a calm, assured sense of composure rather than a sporty twitchiness. If you enjoy playful mid‑corner corrections and a car that feels quick to change direction, the CLA leans more that way; if you prefer a planted, predictable cruiser that masks its mass on the motorway, the Polestar 2 is the steadier companion. Both are competent, but their personalities point to different kinds of enjoyment behind the wheel.

CLA Shooting Brake

Comfort and long‑distance behavior

On long runs the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake impresses with a hushed cabin and the practical benefit of much shorter charging stops, so motorway travel feels less interrupted and more efficient. The Polestar 2 is no slouch on range and offers a composed, consistent long‑distance experience, but it lets through a bit more wind and road noise and can feel firmer over uneven surfaces, especially with larger wheels. Rear-seat comfort is a weak spot for both, though the causes differ: the CLA’s lower roofline and seat geometry reduce rear headroom, while the Polestar’s fastback shape and central tunnel make the back less forgiving for three adults. If long trips with minimal charging time matter most, the CLA has the edge; if you prioritise steady range and simple usability, the Polestar 2 will keep you comfortable and confident.

2

Practicality and everyday usability

The Polestar 2’s hatchback layout and clever boot floor make daily loading and awkward items easier to manage — it feels like a car designed around getting things in and out without fuss. The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake dresses that utility in a more lifestyle‑oriented package: it offers a useful frunk and a roomy-looking cargo area, but overall access and variability are closer to a premium compact statement than a workaday wagon. For families who swap pushchairs, groceries and parcels regularly the Polestar’s hatch and practical floor win small, tangible moments every week; for buyers who value a distinctive profile and extra front luggage space, the CLA’s frunk and styling are persuasive. Both compromise some rear-seat generosity for shape and design, but they make different trade‑offs in how cargo is carried and accessed.

CLA Shooting Brake

Cabin feel, tech and perceived quality

The Mercedes cabin is unmistakably digital — big screens, glossy surfaces and a curated premium feel that markets as modern luxury, though that visual density can sometimes feel distracting. The Polestar 2 delivers a quieter, Scandinavian interior with sturdy materials and a cleaner layout that ages well and feels deliberately less showy. If you want a flashy, feature‑packed infotainment environment and the sensation of being in a tech flagship, the CLA’s MB.OS presentation will appeal; if you prefer an intuitive Google‑based system, straightforward controls and tactile quality that reads as honest, the Polestar 2 will land better. Both interiors feel premium, but one sells statement and spectacle while the other sells calm, functional refinement.

2

Who each car suits — buyer fit and final guidance

Choose the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake if you prioritise rapid charging, a modern tech showcase and a style‑led package that rewards motorway runs with shorter stops and a cutting‑edge cabin. Opt for the Polestar 2 if you want understated quality, straightforward Google integration, a genuinely practical hatch and predictable, efficient everyday range. The trade‑offs are clear: the CLA is the tech‑forward, design‑first long‑distance machine; the Polestar is the no‑nonsense, well‑built fastback that works quietly and reliably in daily life. Below this editorial comparison the technical section breaks down the concrete differences so you can match those tendencies to the features and figures that matter to your purchase decision.

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

CLA Shooting Brake

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake is moderately cheaper – starting at 40,800 £ , while the Polestar 2 costs 45,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,352 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake is moderately more efficient: consuming 12.7 kWh/100km compared to 14.8 kWh/100km for the Polestar 2. That’s a difference of about 2.1 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake offers slightly more range – reaching up to 768 km, about 109 km more than the Polestar 2.

2

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Polestar 2 offers noticeably more power – delivering 476 HP compared to 354 HP. That’s roughly 122 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Polestar 2 is somewhat quicker – completing the sprint in 4.2 s, while the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake takes 5 s. That’s about 0.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Polestar 2 delivers noticeably more torque with 740 Nm compared to 515 Nm. That’s about 225 Nm more.

CLA Shooting Brake

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake is noticeably lighter – 1,710 kg compared to 2,069 kg. The difference is around 359 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake offers a bit more boot space – 455 L compared to 405 L. That’s a difference of about 50 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake carries barely more – 460 kg compared to 421 kg. That’s a difference of about 39 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Polestar 2 is barely ahead 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 £45,200
2

Polestar 2

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 299 - 476 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 14.8 - 16.8 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 568 - 659 km
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake
Polestar 2

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake

The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake turns estate practicality into runway-ready style with a swooping roofline and coupe-like silhouette that makes even mundane errands feel a little more glamorous. Inside it pairs clever packaging with premium flair, so you get useful load space and a grown-up cabin — ideal if you want a car that looks like a showroom trophy but still handles the weekly shop without sulking.

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Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 is a crisp, Scandinavian-styled electric liftback that pairs minimalist luxury with a focused, driver's attitude. It feels agile and composed whether you’re commuting or heading out for the weekend, with a tech-forward cabin and enough personality to make everyday driving a bit more fun.

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Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake
Polestar 2

Costs and Consumption

Price
40,800 - 60,900 £
Price
45,200 - 57,400 £
Consumption L/100km
5 - 5.4 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
12.7 - 13.3 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.8 - 16.8 kWh/100km
Electric Range
525 - 768 km
Electric Range
568 - 659 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
78 kWh
co2
0 - 123 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Estate
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,710 - 2,155 kg
Curb weight
2,069 - 2,188 kg
Trunk capacity
455 L
Trunk capacity
405 L
Length
-
Length
4,606 mm
Width
1,855 mm
Width
1,859 mm
Height
-
Height
1,473 - 1,479 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,095 L
Payload
430 - 460 kg
Payload
412 - 421 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric, Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
156 - 354 HP
Power HP
299 - 476 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5 - 8.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 6.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
205 km/h
Torque
280 - 515 Nm
Torque
490 - 740 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
115 - 260 kW
Power kW
220 - 350 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2026
Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, C, D
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Polestar
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.