Compare the2023 Acura TLXVS 2023 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The TLX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLA.

Both the TLX and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been tested, yet.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the TLX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TLX’s reliability 15 points higher than the CLA.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 16 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (272 vs. 221) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 134 more horsepower (355 vs. 221) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mercedes CLA:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The CLA doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLA requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CLA doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

For better stopping power the TLX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The TLX stops much shorter than the CLA:

For better traction, the TLX has larger standard tires than the CLA (235/50R18 vs. 225/45R18). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA (255/35R20 vs. 225/45R18).

The TLX Type S’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX Type S has standard 20-inch wheels. The CLA’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CLA doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the CLA (113 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the CLA.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the CLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the CLA 250 4MATIC (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CLA doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The TLX has 4.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (93.4 vs. 89).

The TLX has .7 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the CLA (13.5 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The CLA’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 22% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Consumer Reports rated the TLX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the CLA’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The TLX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CLA. The TLX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

The Acura TLX outsold the Mercedes CLA by 31% during 2022.