VS
At a Glance
Power
442 kW
310 kW
Torque
820 Nm
500 Nm
Fuel
18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km
8.3 l/100km
Towing
2000 Kg
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
3.8 s
4.1 s
Engine
electric cc
1991 cc
Choosing between the BMW i5 and the Mercedes-AMG CLA is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW i5 delivers 442 kW while the Mercedes-AMG CLA produces 310 kW. On fuel, the i5 returns 18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km while the CLA uses 8.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 080 000 for the i5 and R1 740 207 for the CLA. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
442 kW
310 kW
Torque
820 Nm
500 Nm
0-100 kph
3.8 s
4.1 s
Top Speed
230 Km/h
270 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
1991 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km
8.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
81.2 kWh l
51 l
CO2 Emissions
—
208 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5060 mm
4701 mm
Width
1900-2156 mm
1830-1999 mm
Height
1505 mm
1413 mm
Wheelbase
2995 mm
2729 mm
Ground Clearance
136 mm
—
Kerb Weight
2305 DIN / 2380 EU Kg
1675 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
490 l
460 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
1500 Kg
Load Capacity
590 l
470 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
Optional
Reversing Camera
Optional
Optional
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 battery
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
service interval indicator max 20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW i5
2 / 4 categories
Performance
i5
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
CLA
Practicality
i5
Pros & Cons
BMW i5
More powerful engine (442 kW)
Higher towing capacity (2000 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.8 ss)
Higher starting price
Mercedes-AMG CLA
Lower starting price (R1 740 207)
Less power than rival (310 kW vs 442 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i5 or CLA?
The i5 uses 18.2-20.6 kWh/100km l/100km and the CLA uses 8.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i5 or CLA?
The i5 produces 442 kW and 820 Nm of torque while the CLA delivers 310 kW and 500 Nm of torque. The i5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the i5 and CLA?
The i5 starts from R2 080 000 and the CLA from R1 740 207. The CLA is cheaper by R339 793 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i5 or CLA?
The i5 has a braked towing capacity of 2000 Kg and the CLA can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i5 or the CLA?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.