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VW Golf vs Mercedes CLA Coupe comparison

Compare performance (333 HP vs 354 HP), boot space and price (25,200 £ vs 39,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – VW Golf or Mercedes CLA Coupe?

VW Golf vs Mercedes CLA Coupe: Key differences

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h
  • noticeably lighter

Mercedes CLA Coupe

4.8 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • barely more power
  • clearly more electric range
  • only slightly 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

Golf

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

VW Golf is significantly cheaper – starting at 25,200 £ , while the Mercedes CLA Coupe costs 39,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 14,441 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mercedes CLA Coupe with 4.9 L/100km. The difference is about 3.8 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers clearly more range – reaching up to 791 km, about 648 km more than the VW Golf.

CLA Coupe

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 Mercedes CLA Coupe offers barely more power – delivering 354 HP compared to 333 HP. That’s roughly 21 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 4.6 s, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe takes 4.9 s. That’s about 0.3 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the VW Golf is noticeably faster – reaching 270 km/h, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe tops out at 210 km/h. The difference is around 60 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes CLA Coupe delivers a bit more torque with 515 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 95 Nm more.

Golf

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is noticeably lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,695 kg. The difference is around 388 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers only slightly more boot space – 405 L compared to 381 L. That’s a difference of about 24 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries somewhat more – 508 kg compared to 455 kg. That’s a difference of about 53 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf 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 £25,200
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
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Frequently compared as well

VW Golf
VW T-Roc
VS
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Mercedes CLA Coupe

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

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.

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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

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Mercedes CLA Coupe

Costs and Consumption
Price
25,200 - 47,600 £
Price
39,600 - 59,300 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 5.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
12.2 - 12.6 kWh/100km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Electric Range
541 - 791 km
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
Battery Capacity
58 kWh
co2
25 - 184 g/km
co2
0 - 120 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
4
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Curb weight
1,695 - 2,135 kg
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Trunk capacity
405 L
Length
4,282 - 4,296 mm
Length
4,723 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Width
1,855 mm
Height
1,454 - 1,483 mm
Height
1,468 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,237 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
438 - 508 kg
Payload
430 - 455 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Power HP
156 - 354 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 8.8 s
Max Speed
203 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
210 km/h
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Torque
280 - 515 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Power kW
115 - 260 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, C, D
Brand
VW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Is the VW Golf offered with different drivetrains?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or All-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.