2026 BMW i4 vs. 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

EVGuide says the BMW i4 stays competitive across the board, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, offering 113 miles more WLTP range and 115 kW faster peak rapid charging at a lower price. TrueCar puts the CLA's MSRP $13,900 below the i4's $59,250. Choose the CLA if range and charging speed matter most; choose the i4 if you prefer BMW's driving character and are willing to pay more for it.

Which to choose, and why

Range, charging and value

EVGuide (opens in a new tab) says the BMW i4 stays competitive across the board, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, and that the CLA is not just cheaper, it also offers 113 miles more WLTP range and 115 kW faster peak rapid charging.

Price

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says if starting price matters most, the Mercedes-Benz CLA has the edge, with a $45,350 MSRP against $59,250 for the BMW i4, a difference of $13,900. In a separate comparison against the electric CLA specifically, TrueCar (opens in a new tab) puts that electric CLA's MSRP at $49,400 against the same $59,250 for the i4, a $9,850 difference.

Questions buyers ask

Which has more range, the BMW i4 or Mercedes CLA?

EVGuide (opens in a new tab) says the CLA offers 113 miles more WLTP range than the i4.

Which is cheaper, the BMW i4 or the Mercedes CLA?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Mercedes-Benz CLA, at $13,900 less than the i4's $59,250 MSRP.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

BMW i4: 7 records · Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: 4 records.

Decision field	BMW i4	Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Exact EPA records	7	4
Model / option labels	7	4
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	Electric motor / not listed	1.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid, Electric motor / not listed
Transmissions	Automatic (A1)	Automatic (A1), Automatic (A2), Automatic (AM8)
Fuel types	Electricity	Electricity, Premium
EPA classes	Compact Cars	Compact Cars
Combined efficiency	81–118 MPG/MPGe	33–126 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	232–333 miles	312–374 miles
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$650–950 per year	$600–2400 per year

Head to head

BMW i4 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	BMW i4	Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Horsepower	335-396 hp	268-349 hp
Torque	n/a	247-380 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	3.6 sec	4.8-6.6 sec
Curb weight	n/a	4,553-4,729 lb
Length	188.5 in	185.9 in
Wheelbase	112.4 in	109.8 in
Cargo volume	16.6 cu ft	10.3 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 and 2027 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

On peak horsepower, the BMW i4 leads: 396 hp against 349 hp.
The BMW i4 is quicker to 60 mph: 3.6 sec against 4.8 sec.
On length, the BMW i4 leads: 188.5 in against 185.9 in.
On wheelbase, the BMW i4 leads: 112.4 in against 109.8 in.
On cargo volume, the BMW i4 leads: 16.6 cu ft against 10.3 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the BMW i4 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

2026 BMW i4

The BMW i4 (model code G26) is a battery electric compact executive car produced by BMW since 2021. It has a five-door liftback body style and is marketed as a four-door coupé. The initial concept version, named BMW i Vision Dynamics, debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Source: BMW i4 (Wikipedia)

Specifications. The production model is based on the modular CLAR platform to keep costs low and volume-production attainable. Although it is described as a battery-powered G20 3 Series, the model uses the bodyshell design of the G26 4 Series Gran Coupé.

Powertrain. The electric drive component of the i4, its charging unit and high-voltage battery are all developed in-house by the BMW Group, forming the fifth-generation eDrive system. A notable technical feature of the i4's powertrain concerns its packaging. The electric motor, transmission and power electronics are all contained in a single component, which allows for a higher efficiency of energy conversion.

Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)

July 2025, Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Motor:Controller:Software. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2025 i4, 2022-2024 IX, 2023-2024 I7, and 2024 I5 vehicles. The electric drive motor software may shut down the high-voltage system, causing a loss of drive power. Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
August 2024, Structure:Frame And Members. BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 i4 eDrive40, xDrive40, and M50 vehicles. The left-side longitudinal beam may crack, compromising the structural integrity of the chassis. Consequence: Reduced structural integrity may result in damage to the high voltage battery during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.
February 2024, Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 i4 xDrive40, i4 M50 and i5 eDrive40 vehicles. The high-voltage battery module may contain insufficient weld seams, which can result in the battery overheating. Consequence: An overheated battery module increases the risk of a fire.

2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a series of luxury subcompact executive cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 2013. The first generation was a four-door sedan based on the platform of the W176 A-Class and W246 B-Class compact cars, marketed as a four-door coupé. In 2015, Mercedes-Benz expanded the CLA family to include a station wagon configuration which it markets as a Shooting Brake.

Reception: The CLA has been a controversial vehicle among Mercedes-Benz fans in North America due to its many differences from other Mercedes-Benz models. In contrast to most Mercedes models sold in the U.S., the CLA is small, based on a front-wheel drive platform, and powered exclusively by four-cylinder engines.

Source: Mercedes-Benz CLA (Wikipedia)

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026BMW i47 configurations →02 · 2027Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class4 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

14 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 BMW i4 or the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

Efficiency

The 2026 BMW i4 lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (99.5 vs. the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class's 79.5 MPG/MPGe).