BMW 3 Series LWB vs Mercedes-Benz CLA: which should you buy?
The full picture
The Mercedes-Benz CLA starts at ₹56.50L against the BMW 3 Series LWB's ₹62.70L ex-showroom Delhi, so it is ₹6.20L cheaper to get into.
They run together up to ₹64.00L, where the CLA tops out. Past that only the 3 Series LWB has anything left to sell you, up to ₹64.20L.
Fuel is a real difference here: the 3 Series LWB comes in petrol and diesel, the CLA in electric.
Same money, which car?
Take ₹64.00L to both showrooms and you come out with the 3 Series LWB 330Li M Sport at ₹62.70L or the CLA 250+ Launch Edition at ₹64.00L, the 3 Series LWB leaving ₹1.30L of that in your pocket.
BMW 3 Series LWB
330Li M Sport Turbo Petrol AT₹62.70L ex-showroom Delhi₹1.30L of the budget left over
Our take
₹1.30L more buys airbags (9 against 6) and ADAS (Level 2 (core suite) against Level 1)
- Choose the BMW 3 Series LWB 330Li M Sport if
- You would rather keep the ₹1.30L than pay for features you will not missOnly one here withISOFIX child seat anchoragesHarman Kardon premium sound system14.9" touchscreen
- Choose the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Launch Edition if
- Safety features matter more to you than keeping the moneyOnly one here with9 airbagslevel 2 (core suite) ADAStri-screen cabin layout
3 Series LWB vs CLA, on paper
| Spec | BMW 3 Series LWB | Mercedes-Benz CLA |
|---|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom Delhi) | ₹62.70L to ₹64.20L | ₹56.50L to ₹64.00L |
| Variants | 2 | 3 |
| Body type | Compact Luxury Sedan | Compact Luxury Electric Sedan |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Fuels | Petrol, Diesel | Electric |
| Boot | 480 litres | 405 litres |
| Length | 4,819 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,961 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Turning radius | - | 5.6 m |
The working behind our take
₹1.30L more buys airbags (9 against 6) and ADAS (Level 2 (core suite) against Level 1). Here is everything that fed that call.
- Running costsThe CLA is electric, so it will be the cheapest of these to run
- Trade-offCLA 250+ Launch EditionISOFIX child seat anchoragesHarman Kardon premium sound systemtouchscreen (14.9" against 14")
The full story
Worth the extra ₹1.30L: the CLA 250+ Launch Edition adds airbags (9 against 6), ADAS (Level 2 (core suite) against Level 1) and tri-screen cabin layout for it. The rest of the additions are minor trim.
- The CLA is electric, so it will be the cheapest of these to run
- Going to the CLA 250+ Launch Edition, you give up ISOFIX child seat anchorages, Harman Kardon premium sound system and touchscreen (14.9" against 14"), which the 3 Series LWB 330Li M Sport keeps
Whichever you pick, the variant is where the money goes
3 Series LWB vs CLA: the questions people ask
- Is the BMW 3 Series LWB or the Mercedes-Benz CLA cheaper?
- The Mercedes-Benz CLA, by ₹6.20L: it starts at ₹56.50L against ₹62.70L ex-showroom Delhi for the 3 Series LWB. Both run well past that, so what you actually pay depends on the variant.
- BMW 3 Series LWB vs Mercedes-Benz CLA: which gives you more for the same money?
- At ₹64.00L it is the 3 Series LWB 330Li M Sport against the CLA 250+ Launch Edition. Worth the extra ₹1.30L: the CLA 250+ Launch Edition adds airbags (9 against 6), ADAS (Level 2 (core suite) against Level 1) and tri-screen cabin layout for it. The rest of the additions are minor trim.
- Which is more practical, the BMW 3 Series LWB or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
- On the figures the makers publish, the 3 Series LWB swallows 480 litres of luggage against 405. Everything else about living with them, from boot shape to how the back seat actually feels, is a test drive question rather than a spec sheet one.
Prices are ex-showroom Delhi and change without notice. Specifications are compiled from public sources; always confirm with a dealer before buying.