Verdict
At RM274,888, the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric costs RM11,357 less than the Subaru WRX and cuts annual road tax from RM767 to RM260. Its 85 kWh battery, 748 km range figure and 320 kW DC charging suit buyers with access to compatible charging, although its 800V system does not support 400V DC chargers. The WRX counters with 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. It is also 470 kg lighter and has a marginally larger 411-litre boot, but gives up a long list of driver assists and parking hardware.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if lower annual road tax, a 748 km EV range figure and extensive assistance technology matter more than all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and the involvement of a six-speed manual gearbox.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric RM274,888; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Road tax: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric RM260 per year; Subaru WRX RM767 per year.
- Output: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 268 hp and 335 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric rear-wheel drive with two-speed automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Weight: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 1,980 kg; Subaru WRX 1,510 kg.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 405 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
CLA EQ
- 85 kWh battery with a 748 km range figure
- 320 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging
- AEB, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and Park Assist
- Rear-wheel drive versus the WRX's all-wheel drive
- 1,980 kg kerb weight versus 1,510 kg
- 405-litre boot is 6 litres smaller
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm turbo petrol powertrain
- All-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox
- 411-litre boot and 1,510 kg weight
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot monitoring listed
- Passive cruise control versus adaptive stop-and-go cruise control
- Four rear parking sensors and reversing camera only, versus six front and six rear sensors with a 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM274,888✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 85 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 748 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 320 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Two-speed Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Two-speed Automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 2 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Evasive Steering Assist | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Traffic Sign Recognition, Curve Speed Reduction, Emergency Stop Assist, Parking AEB, Evasive Steering Assist. MB.Drive Assist (Level 2, adds lane centring and auto lane change) is a subscription: RM169/month (first month free), RM1,690/12 months or RM4,059/36 months incl. service tax | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED with Starry Motif | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Heat-rejection Coating (no sunshade) | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | 64-colour Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging | 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, with Park Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km | — |
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 CLA EQ & WRX for sale
CLA EQ vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric or Subaru WRX better?
The CLA Electric is the better-equipped and cheaper car to buy, with RM260 annual road tax, a 748 km range figure and extensive assistance systems. Choose the WRX instead for all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and its 271 hp, 375 Nm turbo petrol setup.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric costs RM274,888 and the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, so the WRX is RM11,357 more expensive.
Can the CLA Electric use a 400V DC charger?
No. The CLA Electric uses an 800V architecture and does not support 400V DC charger compatibility. It has 320 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging capability.
