A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs LDV D90: the short answer
CLA Electric and D90 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Recorded price context
CLA Electric:
announced from
ZAR 1,212,650
·
D90:
current from
ZAR 899,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
CLA Electric
D90
Maximum Power
CLA Electric200 kW
D90160 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque
CLA Electric335 Nm
D90500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm
Engine Size
CLA ElectricNot Applicable
D901996 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
CLA Electric0 km/l
D9010.99 km/l
Ground Clearance
CLA Electric150 mm
D90210 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
CLA 250+
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
CLA Electric
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
D90
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CLA Electric
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
D90
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Current South African CLA Electric generation represented by derivative CLA 250+
Current South African D90 generation.
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
No later South African facelift is published.
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Seven-seat large SUV
Model Year
2026
2025
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium coupé
SUV
Vehicle Type
Coupé
SUV
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Length
4800 mm
5046 mm
Width
1900 mm
2016 mm
Height
1600 mm
1876 mm
Wheelbase
2790 mm
2950 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
150 mm
210 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
500 l
Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
343 l
Kerb Weight
2000 kg
2370 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
3100 kg
Payload Capacity
500 kg
730 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
3100 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
2 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
12.0 m
6.45 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
990 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
950 mm
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Engine
Electric engine
2.0L twin-turbo diesel
Engine Code
Not Applicable
SC20M218Q6B
Fuel Type
Electric
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1996 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
High-pressure common-rail direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
15.9:1
Bore
Not Applicable
83 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
92 mm
Maximum Power
200 kW
160 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque
335 Nm
500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Rear
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
4WD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
210 km/h
175 km/h
0-100 km/h
6.7 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Sport, Normal, Eco
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
67.51 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
210.97 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
85 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
85.0 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
85.0
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
85.0 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
320 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout
RWD
Front-engine four-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Intelligent/selectable 4WD
Differential Lock
No
Centre + Rear + Front
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Torque-converter automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Electronic shift-by-wire
Steering wheel
Drivetrain
RWD
4WD
4WD Engagement
No
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
750
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
750
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Standard
Front Differential Lock
No
Standard
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
750
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
750
Standard
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: RWD
4WD
Rear Differential Lock
No
Standard
Transmission Speeds
1
8
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Claimed Mileage
0 km/l
10.99 km/l
City Mileage
0 km/l
8.77 km/l
Highway Mileage
0 km/l
12.82 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
75 l
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
20 l
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
0 km/l
10.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
Not Applicable
Charging Type
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
75
Combined Driving Range
750
824.18
Electric Consumption
14.6-12.3 kWh/100 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
750 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
750 km
735.29 km
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Airbags
7
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Officially Disclosed
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Leather
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
Standard
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
8-way electric + lumbar + massage + heating
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
4-way electric + lumbar + heating + massage + ventilation
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Leather
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic front and rear
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic front and rear
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
12.3-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
13
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
12.3
USB Ports
USB-C ports
Standard
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
12.3
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
12.3
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
LED
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Standard
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Natural White; Metal Ash; Metal Black; Spruce Green
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Standard
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
28 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
25 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
550 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
No
Standard
4WD System Type
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
20 deg
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Tyre Size
245/40 R19
265/50 R20
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
19-inch alloy wheels
255/60 R18
Wheel Rim Size
19
20
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electronic parking brake
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
5-link coil spring
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
239 g/km
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 years / 100000 km
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Ownership Role
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
1212650 ZAR
899900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current go-live price
Starting Price
1300000
899900
Starting Price Zar
1300000
899900
Spec
CLA Electric
D90
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This CLA Electric and D90 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: CLA Electric 77 vs D90 82.
Efficiency index: CLA Electric 90 vs D90 45.
Safety-equipment index: CLA Electric 95 vs D90 93.
Practicality index: CLA Electric 54 vs D90 78.
Ownership-cover index: CLA Electric not separately scored vs D90 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
CLA Electric and D90 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
CLA Electric leads by 2 points
CLA Electric and D90 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
D90 +5
Efficiency
CLA Electric +45
Safety
CLA Electric +2
Practicality
D90 +24
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
CLA Electric
Performance
77/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
54/100
D90
Performance
82/100
Efficiency
45/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
78/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz CLA Electric
leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts
vs 76 pts for D90
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CLA Electric leads. However, D90 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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