Verdict
At RM527,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA costs RM241,643 more than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, and that buys a huge performance jump: 421 hp, 500 Nm and a claimed 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time versus 271 hp and 375 Nm. The Mercedes also gets adaptive dampers, an eight-speed DCT and far more driver-assistance hardware. The WRX counters with a six-speed manual, 63-litre tank and five-year/100,000-km warranty. For a Malaysian buyer, the WRX is the rational route; the CLA is for outright pace and equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if you want 421 hp, a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time, adaptive damping and comprehensive assistance systems.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want to spend RM241,643 less on an AWD sedan with a six-speed manual and a five-year/100,000-km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM527,888; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 421 hp and 500 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Transmission: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic; Subaru WRX six-speed manual.
- Warranty: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru WRX five years/100,000 km.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 460 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
- Fuel tank: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 51 litres; Subaru WRX 63 litres.
AMG CLA
- 421 hp and 500 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.
- Eight-speed wet DCT, AWD and AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM241,643 more than the Subaru WRX.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the WRX's five-year/100,000-km cover.
- 51-litre fuel tank is 12 litres smaller than the WRX's.
WRX
- RM286,245 entry price is far lower.
- Six-speed manual and AWD.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty and 63-litre fuel tank.
- 271 hp and 375 Nm trail the AMG CLA's 421 hp and 500 Nm by a wide margin.
- No listed autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot system or adaptive cruise control.
- 411-litre boot is 49 litres smaller than the AMG CLA's 460 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM527,888 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 421 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 5,000 rpm✓ | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.1 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,701 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,999 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,413 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,600 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control, Adaptive dampers, AMG Dynamic Select | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-Speaker 225W Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used AMG CLA & WRX for sale
AMG CLA vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA or Subaru WRX better?
The AMG CLA is better for pace, automatic performance and driver assistance, with 421 hp and a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time. The WRX is better if a manual gearbox, lower purchase cost and longer warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA costs RM241,643 more than the Subaru WRX: RM527,888 versus RM286,245.
Which one has the better warranty?
The Subaru WRX has the better warranty, at five years or 100,000 km. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA has a two-year warranty with unlimited mileage.
