2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 vs Mercedes-Benz C300 Comparison

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 vs 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300

Serving Dublin, Columbus, Powell, Hilliard, Grove City, OH

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz line-up includes the CLA250 and C300, sporty sedans with much to please the buyer. Choosing between them comes down to size and lifestyle. We see how they compare side by side.

Performance

The CLA250 turbo is a 208-horsepower engine. The fuel economy rating is 38 mpg highway*. This power plant is mated to a 7-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission. This automated manual delivers well-timed gear changes. Special overdrive ratios reduce fuel use on the highway. ECO-START® lets you reduce fuel when you don’t need extra performance. The Sport mode intensifies the shift response. Manual mode turns the shifting back over to you with wheel-mounted paddles.

The C300 turbo cranks out 241 horsepower. The 7-speed automatic benefits from two overdrive ratios and adaptive logic. The logic system matches your driving style to its automatic shift timing. Like the CLA250, the C300 has manual-drive shift paddles and an electronic mode selector. Even with its extra performance capability, the C300 earns 34 mpg highway*. Both the CLA250 and the C300 have the ECO-START® system. This shuts the engine down during long idles, reducing emissions and lowering fuel use during busy city drives. The engine can start back when the driver removes a foot from the brake.

Appearance

The CL250 has a sporty coupe-like design with four doors for convenience. The windows rise in a sculpted, sweeping arc. The expressive look is marked by aerodynamic lines and fronted by a Diamond Block Grille. The C300 has its own sculpted design with a long hood and short deck. This athletic look can take on the AMG® style or dress up with a panoramic moonroof.

Both cars offer a quiet cabin with an ergonomic cockpit for the lucky driver. Although the CLA250 is the entry level Mercedes-Benz, standards include MB Tex upholstery, an eight-way power seat, ambient lighting, dual automatic climate controls, and automatic wipers. The standard COMAND interface includes a screen, Bluetooth®, and HD radio. The C300 offers all of these standards plus a power-adjustable steering wheel and the COMAND® console-mounted dial controller.

Safety

Both the C300 and the CLA250 have standard ATTENTION ASSIST®. This system reduces the chances that drowsiness or distraction will cause an accident. It monitors 70 parameters, warning the driver with dual alerts if the driver’s attention level has become impaired. Collision Prevention Assist has follow technology that reduces the chances of a collision through warnings, adaptive brake assist, and automatic braking. Adaptive braking includes automatic brake drying, predictive brake priming, hill-start assist, and a brake hold for long idles. Other available features include rain-sensing wipers, a blind spot monitor, DISTRONIC PLUS® radar-based cruise control, Parktronic sensor-driven assist, and lane keeping assist. The C300 has a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The CLA has not been tested, but it offers the same eight airbags and safety design.