2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs 2025 Toyota GR Corolla
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class captivates with its sleek, aerodynamic design and focus on refined efficiency, boasting a segment-leading 36 MPG highway and a comfortable 221 horsepower. In stark contrast, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is an outright performance monster, exploding out of the gate with a ferocious 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque routed through a visceral 6-speed manual transmission. The efficiency gap is notable: the CLA manages 30 combined MPG versus the GR Corolla's 24 combined MPG, a 6 MPG difference that adds up over a year. Furthermore, the price gap is significant, with the CLA starting at $44,400 compared to the GR Corolla's $39,160 entry point. While the Mercedes offers a longer footprint at 184.6 inches, the Toyota packs substantially more utility with 17.8 cu ft of cargo space compared to the CLA's 11.6 cu ft.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class wins for commuting due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 36 MPG highway versus the GR Corolla's 28 MPG highway.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
The Toyota GR Corolla provides substantially more practical space for families, offering 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the CLA's 11.6 cubic feet.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
Enthusiasts will overwhelmingly choose the GR Corolla for its thrilling 300 hp, all-wheel drive platform, and engaging 6-speed manual transmission.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
The Toyota GR Corolla delivers significantly more performance—79 more horsepower—for a starting price that is $5,240 less expensive than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if...
- You prioritize superior fuel efficiency and aim for 36 MPG highway for daily driving.
- You desire the prestige and polished driving dynamics associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand.
- You prefer the smoother operation of an 8-speed automated manual transmission over a manual gearbox.
Choose the Toyota GR Corolla if...
- Maximum power output is key, demanding 300 horsepower from a compact vehicle.
- You value maximum utility, benefiting from 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
- An all-wheel drive system paired with a highly engaging 6-speed manual transmission is your priority.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | Toyota GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.6" | 173.6" |
| Width | 72.0" | 72.8" |
| Height | 56.7" | 57.2" |
| Wheelbase | 107.4" | 103.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Drying | ✓ | — |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Integrated Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Integrated Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 221 hp @ 5500 rpm | 300 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automated manual | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| [object Object] | — | ✓ |
| [object Object] | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/36 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.0/486.0 mi. | 277.2/369.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Driver Assisted Parking Assist | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.25 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 6 months | 3 months |
| Stereo Power | — | 160W |
| Speaker System | — | 6 |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.5 in. | 38.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.8 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.1 in. | 53.9 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 3 | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | 3 | — |
| Front Hip Room | — | 53.9 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 35.7 in. | 37.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 33.9 in. | 29.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.0 in. | 54.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 45.5 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 18 x 8.5 in |
| Tire Size | 225/45R18 | 235/40R18 |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Tire Type | — | Performance |
Suspension
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and 2025 Toyota GR Corolla.
How much more powerful is the GR Corolla than the CLA-Class?
The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla boasts 300 horsepower, creating a significant performance gap over the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, which produces 221 horsepower. This 79 hp difference means the GR Corolla delivers substantially quicker acceleration figures.
Which car is more expensive upfront?
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has a higher starting MSRP of $44,400. The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is significantly more affordable at $39,160, representing a price difference of $5,240 between the two models.
Is the CLA-Class better for long highway trips regarding fuel consumption?
Yes, the CLA-Class is the clear efficiency leader, achieving 36 MPG on the highway compared to the GR Corolla's 28 MPG highway. This results in a 6 MPG advantage in combined driving (30 MPG vs. 24 MPG).
Which vehicle offers more practical cargo space?
The GR Corolla, being a hatchback, offers 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, much more than the CLA-Class sedan's 11.6 cubic feet. This nearly 6 cubic feet advantage makes the Toyota better suited for hauling larger items.
Do both cars require premium fuel?
Both the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla specify that premium unleaded fuel is required to achieve their listed performance figures.
What is the difference in drivetrain and transmission between these two rivals?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is front-wheel drive paired with an 8-speed automated manual transmission. Conversely, the Toyota GR Corolla uses an all-wheel drive system mated to a highly tactile 6-speed manual transmission.
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