Compare the2024 Volkswagen JettaVS 2023 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Jetta 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 Jetta has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLA doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Jetta’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 Jetta and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Jetta the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been tested, yet.

The Jetta’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CLA’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Jetta has a standard 140-amp alternator. The CLA’s 115-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Jetta’s reliability 19 points higher than the CLA.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 1 place higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta gets better mileage than the CLA:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes CLA (5). This means the Jetta produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CLA every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is optional on the Volkswagen Jetta, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

The Jetta stops shorter than the CLA:

The Jetta Sport/SE/SEL has a standard space-saver spare (not available on S) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the CLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Mercedes CLA.

The front grille of the Jetta uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CLA doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Jetta has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (94.7 vs. 89).

The Jetta has .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 3.5 inches more rear legroom than the CLA.

The Jetta has a much larger trunk than the CLA (14.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Jetta easier. The Jetta’s trunk lift-over height is 28.7 inches, while the CLA’s liftover is 30.1 inches.

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

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Jetta has a standard extendable sun visor. The CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Jetta and the CLA offer available heated front seats. The Jetta SEL also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Jetta, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes CLA isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Mercedes CLA by over four to one during 2022.