Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG CLAVS 2024 BMW 3 Series Sedan

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG CLA have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG CLA. But it costs extra on the 3 Series Sedan.

The AMG CLA has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 3 Series Sedan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG CLA has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 3 Series Sedan and the 3 Series Sedan’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the AMG CLA and the 3 Series Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG CLA’s warranty.

The AMG CLA has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Sedan:

The AMG CLA has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan 330e’s standard fuel tank (13.5 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The AMG CLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the AMG CLA’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Sedan:

For better traction, the AMG CLA has larger standard tires than the 3 Series Sedan (235/40R18 vs. 225/45R18). The AMG CLA’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (245/35R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The AMG CLA 35’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 3 Series Sedan’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG CLA’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the 3 Series Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

The AMG CLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLA is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 3 Series Sedan.

The AMG CLA 45 S handles at .99 G’s, while the 330i xDrive pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLA 45 S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the 330i xDrive (24.1 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG CLA 35’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The AMG CLA 45 S’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 3 Series Sedan, the AMG CLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG CLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The AMG CLA’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the 3 Series Sedan only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the AMG CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the AMG CLA keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The AMG CLA offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 3 Series Sedan.