Comparison

Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Rivian R1T

CLA 250+ with EQ Technology vs Premium Long Range, 22in wheels: range, price, charging, running costs and road-trip stops.

Best range Rivian R1T 420 mi vs 374 mi
Best value Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric $47,950 vs $86,990
Faster charging Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 22 min vs 47 min
5-yr energy Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric $4,200 vs $6,000

Winner by category

6 categories compared
Range winner
Rivian R1T
420 mi vs 374 mi
Value winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
$128/mi vs $207/mi
Charging winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
22 min vs 47 min
Efficiency winner
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
270 Wh/mi vs 388 Wh/mi
Utility/family winner
Rivian R1T
Ahead on seats, cargo, and tow capacity
Performance winner
Rivian R1T
4.5 s vs 6.6 s

Side-by-side comparison

Featured trims
Side-by-side comparison of Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric and Rivian R1T
Spec Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric Rivian R1T
Trim used CLA 250+ with EQ Technology Premium Long Range, 22in wheels
MSRP (USD) $47,950 (better) $86,990
Range 374 mi 420 mi (better)
Efficiency 270 Wh/mi • 3.7 mi/kWh (better) 388 Wh/mi • 2.58 mi/kWh
Battery (usable) 85 kWh 140 kWh (better)
Seats 5 5
Drivetrain RWD AWD
Body type Sedan Truck
DC max 320 kW (better) 220 kW
AC max 10 kW 12 kW (better)
10–80% (DC) 22 min (better) 47 min
Roadtrip score 91.1 (better) 72.2
Miles added (15 min est.) 150 mi (better) 81 mi
USD per mile of range 128 $/mi (better) 207 $/mi
0–60 mph 6.6 s 4.5 s (better)
Top speed 130 mph (better) 125 mph
Cargo 10.3 cu ft 62 cu ft (better)

Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if…

  • You want the lower price: $47,950 vs $86,990 to start, $39,040 less.
  • You fast-charge often: 10-80% in 22 vs 47 minutes.
  • You want lower running costs: about $4,200 vs $6,000 in energy over 5 years.
  • You want to use Tesla Superchargers without an adapter: it has a native NACS port.

Pick the Rivian R1T if…

  • You drive long days: 420 vs 374 miles of rated range.
  • You haul gear: 62 vs 10.3 cu ft of listed cargo space.
  • You care about acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.5 vs 6.6 seconds.

5-year energy cost: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs Rivian R1T

Charging mixMercedes-Benz CLA ElectricRivian R1T
Efficiency270 Wh/mi388 Wh/mi
All home charging$3,050$4,400
80% home, 20% public DC$4,200$6,000
All public DC fast charging$8,650$12,400

60,000 miles (12,000 a year) at rated efficiency, $0.17/kWh at home, $0.48/kWh at public fast chargers, plus 10% charging loss. A 30 mpg gas car at $3.20/gal would spend about $6,400 on fuel over the same miles. Use your own rates.

500-mile road trip: charging stops

Mercedes-Benz CLA ElectricRivian R1T
First leg (90% to 10%)254 mi286 mi
Each leg after a 10-80% stop223 mi250 mi
Fast-charge stops21
Time spent chargingabout 45 minabout 45 min
DC portNACSCCS1

Highway range taken as 85% of rated range. Each stop is counted as a full 10-80% session at the listed time, so the last stop is often shorter in practice. Cold weather and high speeds add stops. Charging time calculator.

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