Lexus ES vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: Specs Compared
Also searched as Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs Lexus ES specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Lexus ES is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 127 mpg combined versus 126 mpg for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $0 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Lexus ES leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Compact Cars · 55 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus ES | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 127 mpg ✓ | 126 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 135 mpg ✓ | 127 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 118 mpg | 124 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $600 | $600 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 191 g/mi ✓ | 273 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5, 3.5 | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; FFV |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (A1), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (A2), Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM8) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Electricity, Regular | Electricity, Premium, Premium or E85 |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 40 | 55 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Lexus ES vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class dimensions and size
The Lexus ES is 17.7 inches longer than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class on a wheelbase 8.7 inches longer, and 44.1 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Lexus ES (2026) | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 202.4 in | 184.6 in | 17.7 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 75.6 in | 72 in | 3.5 in |
| Height | 61.4 in | 56.3 in | 5.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | 107.5 in | 8.7 in |
| Curb weight | 4,641 lbs | 4,597 lbs | 44 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Lexus ES vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Lexus ES burns about $600 of fuel annually against $600 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Lexus ES is the stronger commuter at 135 mpg city, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class pulls ahead on the interstate at 124 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Lexus ES is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5), the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with 3 (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; FFV). Across 40 recorded Lexus ES configurations and 55 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Lexus ES is offered with Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Midsize Cars and Compact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Lexus ES emits 191 g/mile of CO2 versus 273 g/mile for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
ES vs CLA-Class: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus ES or the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The Lexus ES is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 127 mpg combined versus 126 mpg for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $0 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class runs about $600 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $600 for the Lexus ES — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the ES and CLA-Class offer?
Lexus ES: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5, 3.5. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; FFV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Lexus ES as Midsize Cars and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More ES comparisons
More CLA-Class comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-es-vs-mercedes-benz-cla-class