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 Suzuki Grand Vitara: the short answer
CLA Electric holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Grand Vitara.
Recorded price context
CLA Electric:
announced from
ZAR 1,212,650
·
Grand Vitara:
current from
ZAR 359,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Maximum Power
CLA Electric200 kW
Grand Vitara77 kW
Maximum Torque
CLA Electric335 Nm
Grand Vitara138 Nm
Engine Size
CLA ElectricNot Applicable
Grand Vitara1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
CLA Electric0 km/l
Grand Vitara16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
CLA Electric150 mm
Grand Vitara0 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
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Grand Vitara
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
CLA Electric
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Grand Vitara
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
Current South African CLA Electric generation represented by derivative CLA 250+
Current market generation
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium coupé
SUV
Vehicle Type
Coupé
SUV
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Length
4800 mm
4345 mm
Width
1900 mm
1795 mm
Height
1600 mm
1645 mm
Wheelbase
2790 mm
2600 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
150 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
500 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
373 l
Kerb Weight
2000 kg
1210 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
1720 kg
Payload Capacity
500 kg
510 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
12.0 m
5.2 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
950 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
900 mm
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Engine
Electric engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Applicable
K15B/K15C
Fuel Type
Electric
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1462 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Multi-point fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
12.0:1
Bore
Not Applicable
73.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
85.0 mm
Maximum Power
200 kW
77 kW
Maximum Torque
335 Nm
138 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
77 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
138 Nm
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
1
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Rear
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
RWD
4WD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
210 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
6.7 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
16.5 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
63.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
114.0 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
85 kWh
0.2 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
85.0 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
85.0
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
85.0 V
12 V
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
Yes
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear
4-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout
RWD
4WD
LSD Available
No
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
No
Paddle Shifters
No
No
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
4.3
Number of Gears
1
4
Transmission Type
Single-speed reduction gear
4-speed automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter / CVT
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Electronic shift-by-wire
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
RWD
4WD
4WD Engagement
No
Selectable
4WD Hi Range
750
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
750
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
No
Transfer selector
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
No
Front Differential Lock
No
No
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
4-speed automatic
Low Range Ratio
750
Not Applicable
Low Range
750
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: RWD
Front and rear driven axles
Rear Differential Lock
No
No
Transmission Speeds
1
4
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Claimed Mileage
0 km/l
16.1 km/l
City Mileage
0 km/l
16.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
0 km/l
19.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
45 l
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions
Euro 6 equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Yes
Real-world Mileage
0 km/l
16.1 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
45
Combined Driving Range
750
700
Electric Consumption
14.6-12.3 kWh/100 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
750 km
650 km
Range Real World Mixed
750 km
600 km
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Airbags
7
6
ABS
Yes
Not Applicable
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Applicable
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
BA
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Not Applicable
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
No
ABS EBD
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Applicable
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Applicable
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Yes
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Applicable
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
No
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
No
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
No
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Synthetic leather
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Yes
Yes
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Yes
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
No
Electric Tailgate
No
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Applicable
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
13
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Digital instrument display
USB Ports
USB-C ports
USB-A / USB-C
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
9
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
9
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
LED
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Yes
Roof Rails
No
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
No
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Snow | Sport
Locking Differential
No
No
4WD System Type
No
ALLGRIP / selectable 4WD
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Tyre Size
245/40 R19
195/60 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
19-inch alloy wheels
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
19
16
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Manual parking brake
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Torsion beam
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
145 g/km
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Years / 90000 km
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
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.
Suzuki ownership programme
Price Zar
1212650 ZAR
437500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Starting Price
1300000
437500
Starting Price Zar
1300000
437500
Spec
CLA Electric
Grand Vitara
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This CLA Electric and Grand Vitara 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 Grand Vitara 42.
Efficiency index: CLA Electric 90 vs Grand Vitara 67.
Safety-equipment index: CLA Electric 95 vs Grand Vitara 91.
Practicality index: CLA Electric 54 vs Grand Vitara 52.
Ownership-cover index: CLA Electric not separately scored vs Grand Vitara 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 Grand Vitara 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 16 points
CLA Electric holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Grand Vitara.
Performance
CLA Electric +35
Efficiency
CLA Electric +23
Safety
CLA Electric +4
Practicality
CLA Electric +2
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
CLA Electric
Performance
77/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
54/100
Grand Vitara
Performance
42/100
Efficiency
67/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz CLA Electric
leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts
vs 62 pts for Grand Vitara
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CLA Electric leads. However, Grand Vitara 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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