The Lexus ES and Mercedes-Benz CLA are two luxury sedans you might be familiar with. The ES is Lexus comfort-oriented midsize sedan, while the CLA is a relatively affordable entry point to getting a new Mercedes. Notably, both are redesigned for 2026 and come in both gas-powered and fully electric versions. These new EVs represent the latest in electric technology and are significantly less expensive than other luxury EVs. But which one should you choose? Edmunds auto experts compared them to find out.
Space and comfort
The choice is clear if interior space is a priority. The ES is not only larger than the CLA; its also longer and taller than relatively big electric sedans like the BMW i5 and Lucid Air. That space allows for a massive amount of rear legroom. You can even get reclining rear seats with adjustable footrests if you want. The ES also has a larger trunk.
Youll also prefer the ES if you want a cushy ride. It glides more smoothly over bumps and ruts in the road than the CLA does. Edmunds drivers found the CLAs front seats to be a little more comfortable than those in the ES, but overall the ES is the literal and figurative big winner here.
Winner: Lexus ES
Range and charging
The CLA 250+, which has a single electric motor, gets an EPA-estimated 374 miles of range on a single charge. It traveled a whopping 434 miles in its Edmunds real-world testing. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive CLA 350 has an EPA-estimated range of 312 miles, and it went an outstanding 385 miles in Edmunds testing.
The Lexus ES is also available in two models of differing performance and range. The single-motor ES 350e gets an EPA-estimated range of up to 307 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive ES 500e has an estimated range of up to 276 miles. Edmunds testing of an ES 350e basically matched its EPA estimates.
Charging is a similar situation. DC fast-charging capability for the Lexus tops out at 150 kW, whereas the CLA can accept twice as much power as long as youre connected to an appropriate fast-charging station. In Edmunds testing, the ES needed 13 minutes to add 100 miles of range, while the CLA needed just seven minutes.
Winner: Mercedes CLA
Performance and driving
While the Mercedes compact dimensions and sportier tuning hurt it in the space and comfort category above, they become a benefit here. The ES is pleasant to drive and composed around turns, but the CLA is far more engaging and feels more like a sport sedan.
The 221-horsepower ES 350e is also slow by electric sedan standards. In Edmunds testing, it needed 7.6 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph. The ES 500e is more powerful, but youll still like the CLA more if you want quick acceleration. Edmunds tested the CLA 350 and found that it could get 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Winner: Mercedes CLA
In-car technology
While our results thus far have been quite clear, this category is more likely to come down to personal preference. At first glance, the Mercedes may seem to have a landslide advantage. The entire dashboard is basically one gigantic screen housing. The touchscreen graphics are beautiful and responses are lightning quick.
It can certainly be overwhelming, though both from a usability and visual standpoint. Those who are less technically inclined may prefer the relative simplicity provided by the ES, which, to be fair, features the latest Lexus infotainment system. Its not as flashy as the Mercedes setup, but its also easy to use and hard to fault.
Winner: Mercedes CLA
Price and value
The Lexus ES and Mercedes CLA are very similarly priced even their more powerful dual-motor versions align. By electric luxury vehicle standards, theyre surprisingly affordable. The electric 2026 Lexus ES 350e starts at $48,895, including destination fees, while the electric 2027 CLA starts at $49,400.
Ultimately, it comes down to where you see the most value. The ES is much bigger and comes with a few more standard features, such as ventilated seats and a wireless phone charger. For most shoppers, that probably means the ES is the better value. Still, the CLA has superior electric vehicle specs, and not just in comparison to the ES. Its tech, styling and driving experience are pretty compelling too.
Winner: Lexus ES
Edmunds says
Both of these electric luxury sedans received high ratings from Edmunds, but its the Mercedes that ultimately comes out on top with an Excellent score versus the Lexus Very Good. The overwhelming strength of its range, charging, and driving experience scores ultimately tipped the scales.
_____
This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds . James Riswick is a contributor at Edmunds.
雷克萨斯ES和梅赛德斯-奔驰CLA是两款你可能熟悉的豪华轿车。ES是雷克萨斯主打舒适的中型轿车，而CLA则是拥有奔驰新车的相对经济之选。值得注意的是，两款车型均针对2026年进行了重新设计，并提供燃油版和纯电动版。这些新型电动车代表了最新的电动技术，且价格远低于其他豪华电动车。但该如何选择？埃德蒙兹汽车专家对它们进行了对比评测。
空间与舒适
若以车内空间为优先考量，答案显而易见。雷克萨斯ES不仅比CLA更宽敞，其车身长度和高度也超越了宝马i5、Lucid Air等体型较大的电动轿车。充裕的空间带来了异常宽裕的后排腿部空间，还可选配带可调脚托的后排电动座椅。此外，ES的后备箱容积也更为可观。
若您追求舒适驾乘体验，雷克萨斯ES会是更优之选。相较于CLA，ES能更平稳地驶过路面颠簸与坑洼。埃德蒙兹车评团队认为CLA的前排座椅略胜ES一筹，但综合而言，ES无疑是本次对比中名副其实的赢家——无论是字面意义还是实际表现。
获奖车型：雷克萨斯ES
续航与充电
搭载单电机的CLA 250+车型，在EPA标准下单次充电续航里程达374英里（约602公里）。而在Edmunds机构的实际道路测试中，其续航表现更为惊人，达到了434英里（约698公里）。配备双电机和全轮驱动系统的CLA 350车型，EPA预估续航为312英里（约502公里），但在Edmunds测试中取得了385英里（约620公里）的优异成绩。
雷克萨斯ES系列提供两种不同性能和续航里程的车型。单电机版ES 350e的EPA预估续航里程最高可达307英里；双电机全轮驱动版ES 500e的预估续航里程则为276英里。埃德蒙兹（Edmunds）对ES 350e的实测结果基本符合EPA预估数据。
充电情况也颇为相似。雷克萨斯车型的直流快充功率上限为150千瓦，而CLA车型只要接入合适的快充站，充电功率可翻倍至300千瓦。据Edmunds测试数据显示，雷克萨斯ES车型需13分钟补充100英里续航，而CLA仅需7分钟即可完成相同里程的电量补给。
获胜者：梅赛德斯-奔驰CLA
性能与驾驶体验
尽管梅赛德斯紧凑的车身尺寸和更运动的调校在上文提到的空间与舒适性方面有所欠缺，但在此处却成为优势。ES驾驶起来令人愉悦且过弯稳健，而CLA则更具驾驶乐趣，更像一款运动型轿车。
这款221马力的ES 350e在电动轿车领域仍属性能迟缓。据Edmunds测试数据显示，其0至60英里/小时加速需7.6秒。虽然ES 500e动力更强，但若追求迅猛加速，CLA系列仍是更优选择——Edmunds对CLA 350的实测表明，该车型仅需4.5秒即可完成同等加速。
获胜者：梅赛德斯-奔驰CLA
车载技术
尽管我们目前的研究结果已相当明确，但这一类别更可能取决于个人偏好。乍看之下，梅赛德斯似乎占据压倒性优势——整个仪表盘本质上是一个巨型屏幕外壳，触控界面图形精美，响应速度迅如闪电。
不过，无论是从使用体验还是视觉效果来看，这款车都可能让人感到应接不暇。对于技术不太精通的用户来说，他们或许会更青睐ES车型提供的相对简洁的操作——公平地说，该车型搭载了雷克萨斯最新的信息娱乐系统。虽然它不如奔驰的系统那样炫目，但胜在易于操作且难以挑剔。
获胜者：梅赛德斯-奔驰CLA
价格与价值
雷克萨斯ES与梅赛德斯CLA的定价极为接近——即便是动力更强的双电机版本也相差无几。以电动豪华车的标准衡量，它们的价格出人意料地亲民。2026款电动雷克萨斯ES 350e起售价为48,895美元（含运费），而2027款电动CLA起售价则为49,400美元。
归根结底，这取决于您更看重哪些价值。ES车型尺寸更大，标配功能也更丰富，例如通风座椅和无线手机充电器。对多数消费者而言，ES的性价比可能更高。但CLA在电动车规格上具有明显优势，不仅限于与ES相比——其科技配置、造型设计和驾驶体验同样极具吸引力。
获奖车型：雷克萨斯ES
埃德蒙兹表示
这两款电动豪华轿车均获得埃德蒙兹的高分评价，但**梅赛德斯**最终以“优秀”评级胜出，而**雷克萨斯**则获得“良好”评级。其续航里程、充电性能和驾驶体验方面的压倒性优势成为决定性因素。
本文由汽车网站Edmunds提供给美联社。詹姆斯·里斯维克（James Riswick）是Edmunds的特约撰稿人。
