2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV vs gas: is the EV worth it?
CLA 250+ w/EQ Technology RWD vs 250 RWD
No. Does not pay back in 6 years.
6.2years to pay back
- EV: $4,500 more. Saves $729 a year.
- Break-even: 74,100 miles.
- No gas trim with the same name. Cheapest gas 2WD trim used.
- 12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents a kWh.
Every EV pair
| Pair | MSRP | Rating | Energy a year | Price gap | Saves a year | Payback | Ahead after 6 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLA 250+ w/EQ Technology RWD 250 RWD | $47,250 $42,750 | 27 kWh/100 mi 30 mpg | $551 $1,280 | $4,500 | $729 | 6.2 years | Gas, $125 |
| CLA 350 4MATIC w/EQ Technology AWD CLA 250 4MATIC AWD | $49,800 $44,750 | 29 kWh/100 mi 29 mpg | $592 $1,324 | $5,050 | $733 | 6.9 years | Gas, $655 |
What changes the answer
- Gas price for a 6-year payback: $3.25.
- Miles a year for a 6-year payback: 12,300.
What you give up
| Measure | EV | Gas | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 221 hp | +47 hp |
| Torque | 247 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | -11 lb-ft |
| Cargo, seats down | 14.3 cu ft | 11.6 cu ft | +2.7 cu ft |
What this cannot tell you
Incentives, insurance, upkeep and resale are not included.
Your own mpg will differ.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree