Is This New 400+ Mile EV Worth the Money vs. the Model 3?

Looking for the ultimate premium EV? We pit the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV against our top-rated 2026 Tesla Model 3 to see if this 400+ mile luxury contender is truly worth the extra price. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/cla/2026/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Tesla Model 3 Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube More Edmunds Comparison Videos - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpQwAPiW1fCPh4LEWxlbp9Cx&si=txPMgUEIULWxATGq Appraisal Tool - https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Car Listings - https://www.edmunds.com/new-cars-for-sale/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Ratings and Reviews - https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube 00:00 Intro 00:31 Model 3 Pricing, Interior, & Tech 04:02 Model 3 Driving Impressions 05:42 CLA Pricing, Interior, & Tech 09:20 CLA Driving Impressions 11:23 Edmunds EV Range & Charging Tests 13:32 Value 16:13 Edmunds' Take Is it worth spending more on an EV than you would for a Tesla Model 3? We brought out our favorite benchmark electric car to find out how it holds up against the highly anticipated 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV (our review also applies to the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV). The Tesla Model 3 continues to impress with its amazing efficiency, spacious trunk, and highly capable Full Self-Driving tech. In our real-world Edmunds EV range test, the rear-wheel-drive Model 3 achieved an outstanding 393 miles of range, making it an incredible value for the price. But if you want a true luxury car experience, the Mercedes CLA steps up the game. Available in two trims—the single-motor Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ and the dual-motor Mercedes Benz CLA 350—this luxury sedan delivers top-tier cabin tech, a massive multi-screen layout, and a beautifully insulated, serene ride. Performance is strong too; the AWD CLA 350 packs 349 horsepower, launching from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds in Edmunds testing. Plus, its battery engineering is outstanding. The CLA 350 crushed its EPA rating by delivering 385 miles on our range test, while the single-motor CLA 250+ went an astonishing 434 miles. It also dominates in charging speed, adding 100 miles of range nearly three minutes faster than the Tesla. So, what's the final verdict of our comparison review? The Tesla Model 3 remains our top-rated non-luxury EV for buyers looking to maximize value. However, the Mercedes CLA EV earns an excellent 8.3 rating from our editors, making it our favorite luxury EV in this space. If your budget allows for the higher MSRP and optional extras, the Benz is absolutely worth the upgrade. If this kind of video is helpful to you and you want to support us in making more work like this in the future, hitting the like, subscribe, and notification bell buttons goes a long way. Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of generative AI. https://www.instagram.com/edmundscars https://www.facebook.com/edmunds https://www.tiktok.com/@edmunds https://twitter.com/edmunds https://www.reddit.com/user/edmundscars #MercedesBenzCLAClass #TeslaModel3 #Edmunds