Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD vs Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology: charging cost, time & specs in United States
A side-by-side comparison of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD and Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology for buyers in United States: battery, charging speed, realistic range and what each costs to charge at home and at a public DC station.
Specifications side by side
Units
| Specification | Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh | 85 kWh (best) |
| DC fast-charge power (peak) | 250 kW | 320 kW (best) |
| Real 10-80% DC time | 27 minutes | 18 minutes (best) |
| AC charge power (onboard) | 11 kW (best) | 11 kW (best) |
| Manufacturer-claimed range | 363 mi (EPA) | 374 mi (EPA) (best) |
| Realistic range estimate | 363 mi | 374 mi (best) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
Charging cost comparison
| Scenario | Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology |
|---|---|---|
| At home (AC) 20% → 80% | $8.10 (best) | $9.18 |
| Public DC 20% → 80% | $21.60 (best) | $24.48 |
Key differences
- Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology carries the bigger battery (85 kWh vs 75 kWh), about 13% more capacity.
- Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology charges faster on DC (70 kW higher peak, ultra-fast DC vs ultra-fast DC).
- Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology drives farther, about 11 mi more on a realistic range basis.
- Both use NMC batteries, so their charging behaviour and care are similar.
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD is more energy efficient, by about 48.7 mi/kWh.
What the numbers say
- Faster to 80%: Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology (about 9 minutes ahead of Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD).
- Goes further on a charge: Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology (about 11 mi more than Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD, realistic).
- Cheaper to charge at home: Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD (about $1.08 less than Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology).
- Cheaper at a public DC charger: Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD (about $2.88 less than Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology).
As of 2026-05-29
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to charge, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD or the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology?
- At a public DC charger (20-80%), the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD is the cheaper of the two at about $21.60.
Which charges faster, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD or the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology?
- The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology reaches 80% sooner, taking about 16 minutes on DC fast charging.
What is a BEV, and how is it different from an EV, PHEV, and HEV?
- EV (electric vehicle) is an umbrella term for any vehicle driven by an electric motor. A BEV (battery electric vehicle) is a fully electric car powered entirely by its battery and charged from the electricity grid, with no petrol engine. This is the type this calculator is built for. A PHEV (plug-in hybrid) pairs a petrol engine with a battery you can charge from the grid. An HEV is an ordinary hybrid that can't be plugged in; its battery recharges itself while you drive. There are also FCEVs, which run on hydrogen fuel cells. This calculator is for cars you charge from the grid (BEVs, and PHEVs in electric mode), so ordinary hybrids like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid or Nissan Kicks e-Power aren't included.