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2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2026 Lexus ES: Full Comparison
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The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA Sedan delivers up to 349 hp from a fully electric powertrain, versus the Lexus ES lineup's 221 to 338 hp across hybrid and BEV variants. The CLA adds a standard fixed panoramic roof with infrared film, MBUX 4th Gen AI assistant, and an 8-year / 100,000-mile EV battery warranty. Below you will find a section-by-section breakdown, with current CLA inventory at Mercedes-Benz of Abilene.
The Short Answer
The 2027 CLA is a strong choice for the buyer who wants a fully electric sedan with a driver-focused tech ecosystem and a cabin that steps up to ambient lighting and a panoramic roof on the base model. The 2026 Lexus ES suits the buyer who prefers a hybrid option for maximum fuel flexibility, wants a NACS fast-charging network already baked in on its BEV models, or values the Mark Levinson audio system as a factory choice. Neither car is wrong. They simply serve different priorities, and the sections below separate those priorities by category.
Specs Head-to-Head
| Category | 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA | 2026 Lexus ES |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Fully electric PSM motor | Hybrid or BEV |
| Horsepower | 268 hp CLA 250+ / 349 hp CLA 350 4MATIC® | 221 hp ES 350e / 338 hp ES 500e |
| Torque | 247 lb-ft CLA 250+ / 380 lb-ft CLA 350 4MATIC® | 186 lb-ft ES 350h hybrid |
| Drivetrain | RWD or 4MATIC® all-wheel drive | FWD or AWD |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo | 1.4 cu ft frunk + 10.3 cu ft rear | 18.3 cu ft |
| EV Battery Warranty | 8 years / 100,000 miles | 10 years / 150,000 miles |
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Infotainment Screen | 14-inch central + 10.25-inch driver | 14-inch touchscreen + 12.3-inch driver |
| Audio | Burmester 16-speaker, 850 W, Dolby Atmos optional | Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800 W optional |
Performance and Powertrain
The CLA 250+ routes 268 hp through a single rear-axle permanently excited synchronous motor, giving it RWD character with a direct, linear throttle response. Step up to the CLA 350 4MATIC® and a second motor joins the front axle for a combined 260 kW of 4MATIC® all-wheel-drive traction. Both CLA models are pure electric with no combustion component.
The Lexus ES spreads across three distinct powertrain paths. The ES 350h uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a sixth-generation hybrid system and achieves up to 46 MPG combined on the FWD configuration. The ES 350e and ES 500e are full BEV models. The ES 500e AWD produces 338 total system hp, which tops the CLA 250+ on paper, and the ES 350e FWD produces 221 hp. Both ES BEV models use a NACS charging port and support DC fast charging up to 150 kW, reaching 10-to-80 percent in roughly 28 to 30 minutes.
The CLA delivers four levels of adjustable regenerative braking and DYNAMIC SELECT with Comfort, Sport, ECO, and Individual programs. The ES hybrid offers a CVT-based drive experience tuned toward smoothness rather than driver engagement. For buyers who want pure-electric output with a sport-tuned feel, the CLA holds an advantage. For buyers who want the option to fill up at a gas station when charging is inconvenient, only the ES hybrid delivers that.
Interior, Space, and Cargo
Both sedans seat five. The CLA measures 185.9 inches in length and 57.8 inches in height, placing it in the compact-luxury segment rather than the midsize space the ES traditionally occupies. That size difference matters in the back seat: buyers who frequently carry adult rear passengers should verify CLA headroom and legroom in person before committing.
The CLA's fully electric platform enables a frunk with cargo organizer that adds 1.4 cubic feet of secure storage ahead of the firewall. Rear cargo measures 10.3 cubic feet. The ES frunk figure is not included in its verified specs, so no direct comparison is drawn here.
Inside the CLA, 64-color ambient lighting, a fixed glass panoramic roof with infrared film and low-emissivity coating, and heated power front seats with four-way lumbar support and memory are all standard. Wireless smartphone charging is available on Exclusive Trim and Pinnacle Trim packages. The optional SKY CONTROL system adds electronically adjustable transparency across seven zones of the panoramic roof.
The ES 350e and ES 500e Luxury models include semi-aniline leather trim, thematic ambient illumination, and Bamboo Layering door inserts. The CLA counters with an optional Burmester 3D Surround Sound system at 850 watts and 16 speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
Technology and Safety
The CLA runs MBUX 4th Gen, powered by MB.OS, across a 10.25-inch driver display and a 14-inch central multimedia display. A 14-inch passenger display, called MBUX Superscreen, is available on the Pinnacle Trim package. The MBUX Virtual Assistant integrates AI from both Microsoft and Google. MBUX Profile Authentication via facial recognition personalizes the driving environment at a system level.
Seven years of MBUX connected services come standard, and Electric Intelligence navigation optimizes routes around charging stops with Active Range Monitoring.
The Lexus ES uses the 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital multi-information display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard. Cloud Navigation pulls Google POI data via a Drive Connect subscription with a three-year trial included. OTA software updates are supported over a 5G network.
On safety, the CLA's standard suite includes Blind Spot Assist Plus with Exit Warning, Evasive Steering Function, Lane Keeping Function, Emergency Stop Function, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, Maneuvering Assist, Brake Assist, Speed Limit Warning, and Distance Assist DISTRONIC® as a Digital Extra. The ES comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 4.0.
Value and Ownership
The CLA carries a 4-year / 50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Its EV battery warranty runs 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage terms, exclusions, and owner responsibilities are defined in the Mercedes-Benz warranty documentation.
Seven years of MBUX connected services are bundled standard on the CLA, covering navigation, remote functions, and AI assistant access without requiring an immediate subscription decision at purchase.
The ES hybrid ES 350h achieves 46 MPG combined FWD and 44 MPG combined AWD, which delivers low fuel costs for buyers who are not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle. The ES BEV models include a three-year trial of Drive Connect for Cloud Navigation, a three-year trial of Remote Connect, and a 30-day/unlimited AT&T Wi-Fi data trial. Post-trial subscription costs are a factor to budget for on the Lexus side.
The CLA's standard content at the entry level, including the panoramic roof, heated seats, ambient lighting, and automatic climate control with pre-entry capability, means buyers capture meaningful equipment without stepping immediately to higher equipment packages.
Which One Should You Buy
Choose the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA if:
You want a fully electric sedan with up to 349 hp, rear-wheel drive character or available 4MATIC® all-wheel drive, and a tech stack that includes fourth-generation MBUX with Microsoft and Google AI integration. The CLA is also the right fit if you want a standard panoramic roof, ambient lighting, and pre-entry climate control without moving up to a higher equipment package.
Choose the 2026 Lexus ES if:
You want a hybrid option that fills up at any gas station with the ES 350h, or you want the ES 500e AWD's 338-hp output in a full BEV. The ES is also a strong fit if you prioritize NACS fast charging already built in, Mark Levinson audio at the Luxury model, or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features rather than an integrated third-party system.
The buyer who values fully electric driving, a standard-equipment advantage at the entry model, and the Mercedes-Benz technology ecosystem will find the CLA a strong case. The buyer who wants maximum powertrain flexibility or the highest BEV horsepower in the segment will find more options in the ES lineup.
Feature availability, package content, Digital Extras, charging capability, warranty coverage, range, performance figures, equipment, and exterior color availability may vary by model, production timing, battery state, driving conditions, and vehicle-specific configuration. Confirm all specifications and coverage terms on the specific vehicle before purchase or lease.
See the 2027 CLA at Mercedes-Benz of Abilene
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA Sedan delivers up to 349 hp from a fully electric powertrain, versus the Lexus ES lineup's 221 to 338 hp across hybrid and BEV variants. is a fully electric entry that brings up to 349 hp, MBUX 4th Gen with AI from Microsoft and Google, and a standard panoramic roof to the compact luxury sedan class. The 2026 Lexus ES offers hybrid flexibility and strong BEV power in its 500e model. For Abilene drivers ready to see the CLA in person, current inventory is one click away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA fully electric?
Yes. The 2027 CLA is available exclusively in two electric models: the CLA 250+ with a single rear-axle motor and RWD, and the CLA 350 4MATIC® with dual motors and 4MATIC® all-wheel drive. There is no gasoline or hybrid variant in the U.S. lineup for this model year.
How does the CLA's horsepower compare to the Lexus ES?
The CLA 250+ produces 268 hp, and the CLA 350 4MATIC® produces 349 hp. The Lexus ES 350e produces 221 total system hp and the ES 500e produces 338 total system hp.
What is the CLA's battery warranty?
The 2027 CLA EV battery is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. The New Vehicle Limited Warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles. Coverage terms, exclusions, and owner responsibilities are defined in the Mercedes-Benz warranty documentation.
Does the 2026 Lexus ES come in a hybrid version?
Yes. The ES 350h uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a sixth-generation hybrid system. It achieves up to 46 MPG combined on the FWD configuration. The ES 350e and ES 500e are fully electric variants.
Does the CLA have a front trunk?
Yes. The 2027 CLA includes a frunk with cargo organizer providing 1.4 cubic feet of additional lockable storage. Rear cargo measures 10.3 cubic feet.
What infotainment system does the CLA use?
The CLA runs MBUX 4th Gen, powered by MB.OS, with a 10.25-inch driver display and a 14-inch central multimedia display. A 14-inch passenger display, called MBUX Superscreen, is available on the Pinnacle Trim package. The system integrates AI from Microsoft and Google.
Can I see the 2027 CLA at Mercedes-Benz of Abilene?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz of Abilene carries CLA inventory. Use the inventory link on this page to view available models and contact the team to schedule a test drive in Abilene.
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