The Story
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 brings rapid charging and excellent range to this comparison, while the Tesla Model 3 Performance fights back with insane performance and eye-popping value.
In this battle between a segment originator and a newly introduced innovator, value is at the crux of the equation. Shopping for an EV these days is a lot like choosing a phone. There’s Tesla, the ubiquitous choice with a wide-sweeping ecosystem supporting its products, just like buying Apple’s iPhone. Then there’s everyone else, offering a wider variety of models, which is akin to purchasing a device running Android. Some rivals outperform Tesla’s offerings, but the user experience is inconsistent across the market.
In this sense, Tesla has forced itself into the position as an EV benchmark, driving rivals to innovate. Such is the case of the third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, available as an all-electric sedan for the first time ever. It comes to market with several advantages against its main competitor, the Tesla Model 3, the first being 800-volt architecture, which allows for wicked-quick charging. Then it gets a new nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery and a super-slippery body with a claimed coefficient of drag of just 0.21, which allows for incredible road-trip range.
We chose lineup-topping examples of both sedans to compete in this comparison test, pitting the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4Matic against the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance. A thorough vetting of both vehicles at the track, on the charger, and in real-world conditions revealed a clear winner.
Tesla Model 3 Performance comes out swinging with titanic specs for a compact sedan. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain develops a combined 510 hp and 554 lb-ft of torque. Weighing in at 4,020 pounds, it touts a weight-to-power ratio of 7.9 lb/hp.
As a non-AMG model, the Mercedes-Benz CLA350 isn’t quite as focused on going fast. It develops 349 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque from its 4Matic-branded dual-motor AWD system. Tipping the scales at a porkier 4,725 pounds, weight-to-power is 13.5 lb/hp.
With this basic information in mind, it should come as no surprise that the Model 3 Performance wipes the floor with the CLA350 around our test track. Tesla sets a scorching 0–60-mph time of 2.8 seconds and blasts through the quarter mile in 11.0 seconds at 125.2 mph. It vastly outperforms the CLA350, which needs 4.2 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph and runs the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 109.2 mph.
The Model 3 is equipped with an EV-friendly version of the Pirelli P Zero tire, the PZ4 Elect, T1 to be specific. This furthers the Tesla’s advantage over the Mercedes, which rolls on Bridgestone Turanza 6 MO rubber. It also gets adaptive suspension damping, unlike the CLA350, which has a passive multilink setup, and the Tesla has bigger brakes.
Our track testing confirmed what seems obvious on paper. The Model 3 Performance dusts the CLA around our figure eight with a time of 23.8 seconds to the Merc’s 26.2-second lap. It has superior grip, as well, pulling 0.95 g of maximum lateral grip compared to the CLA’s 0.81 g. Stopping from 60 mph is better, too; the Tesla needs just 110 feet while the Mercedes requires 115.
Not only do these sedans offer different degrees of performance, but these EVs also present two distinctive driving experiences. The Model 3 Performance is highly configurable, with a comprehensive menu of customizations that allow you to set up the sedan’s on-road behavior (steering, acceleration, suspension settings) to your preferences.
You can set it up to be a relaxed commuter, with its electronically adaptive dampers providing a more refined ride than the Model 3 Premium. You can also stiffen the suspension while cranking acceleration up to Insane mode for more immediacy. Although steering has three degrees of firmness, the standard mode delivers the best balance of weight and feedback. No matter how you set up the steering, the tiller has robotic artificiality to it, taking some of the joy away from exploring the sedan’s handling chops.
Track mode allows you to explore the upper limits of the Model 3 Performance’s capabilities. A handling slider lets you dial in the understeer or oversteer to your preferences, including a setup that’s explicitly for drifting. With an abundance of personalities bundled in a single sedan, the Model 3 aspires to be the only car you need.
Mercedes-Benz CLA350 has fewer aspects to its character. It behaves like a more traditional European luxury sedan, with a supple ride and good body composure in the corners. Steering is more connected than in the Tesla, with better heft and feedback. There are drive modes, but the degree of customization isn’t quite as deep.
Why It Matters
In this sense, Tesla has forced itself into the position as an EV benchmark, driving rivals to innovate.
CarMotion Daily’s Take
We chose lineup-topping examples of both sedans to compete in this comparison test, pitting the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4Matic against the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance. The detail bears tracking. Markets rarely reward single announcements — execution over the next two to four quarters is what closes the gap between press release and customer. How this lands depends less on the announcement itself and more on the rollout, dealer support, and after-sales story behind it. Specifics on pricing, availability, and regional rollout will tell us whether this moves from headline to delivery. Independent verification and follow-up coverage from rival outlets tend to firm up the picture within days.
📝 Source & Copyright Notice
This story was first reported by MotorTrend. For the full article with original photography and complete coverage, visit the source: Read the full story at MotorTrend →
