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.
xDrive30 M SportElectricSingle-Speed Reduction GearCurrent
ZAR 1,255,000ex-showroom
⚡ 230 kW🔧 494 Nm
＋Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric vs BMW iX1: the short answer
CLA Electric and iX1 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Recorded price context
CLA Electric:
announced from
ZAR 1,212,650
·
iX1:
current from
ZAR 1,210,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
CLA Electric
iX1
Maximum Power
CLA Electric200 kW
iX1230 kW
Maximum Torque
CLA Electric335 Nm
iX1494 Nm
Engine Size
CLA ElectricNot Applicable
iX1Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
CLA Electric0 km/l
iX1Not Applicable
Ground Clearance
CLA Electric150 mm
iX1190 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)
CLA Electric
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Specification evidence leader
iX1
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CLA Electric
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
iX1
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
iX1
Model Introduced Year
2026
2023
Generation
Current South African CLA Electric generation represented by derivative CLA 250+
Battery-electric U11 compact SUV, closely related in body and cabin architecture to the third-generation X1.
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
The current U11 iX1 is the first battery-electric X1 generation; no South African facelift has been announced.
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium coupé
Premium SUV
Vehicle Type
Coupé
Car
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Length
4800 mm
4500 mm
Width
1900 mm
1845 mm
Height
1600 mm
1616 mm
Wheelbase
2790 mm
2692 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
150 mm
190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
500 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
490 l
Kerb Weight
2000 kg
2085 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
2580 kg
Payload Capacity
500 kg
570 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
1200 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
5.8 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1020 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
981 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
928 mm
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Engine
Electric engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Electric
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinders
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
200 kW
230 kW
Maximum Torque
335 Nm
494 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Number of Motors
1
2
Motor Location
Rear
Front and rear axles
Drive Type
RWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
210 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
6.7 sec
5.6 sec
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
16.2 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
85 kWh
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
85.0 kWh
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
85.0
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
85.0 V
400 V
Electric Range
Not Officially Disclosed
490 km (BMW stated)
AC Charging Power
11 kW
11 kW
DC Charging Power
320 kW
130 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
6 h 30 min
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
30 min
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
RWD
All-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Yes
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Yes
Differential Lock
No
Yes
Paddle Shifters
No
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Yes
Number of Gears
1
1
Transmission Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Electronic shift-by-wire
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
RWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
No
Electronically controlled AWD
4WD Hi Range
750
Yes
4WD Lo Range
750
Yes
4WD Selector
No
Yes
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Yes
Front Differential Lock
No
Yes
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
750
Yes
Low Range
750
Yes
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: RWD
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
No
Yes
Transmission Speeds
1
1
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Claimed Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
0 l
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
CCS Combo
Charging Type
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
0
0
Combined Driving Range
750
490 km (BMW stated)
Electric Consumption
14.6-12.3 kWh/100 km
14.8
Range Real World Highway
750 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
750 km
420 km
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Airbags
7
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Yes
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
Yes
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
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
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
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
Yes
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
Standard
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Leather/Sensatec
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
Yes
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel M Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Electric multi-way
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Sport seats for driver and front passenger
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Yes
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Yes
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Yes
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
13
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
12.3
USB Ports
USB-C ports
2
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
14.9
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
14.9
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
Standard
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Yes
Roof Rails
No
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Yes
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
25 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
23 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Auto; Sport; Eco
Locking Differential
No
Yes
4WD System Type
No
All-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
20 deg
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Tyre Size
245/40 R19
225/50 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
19-inch alloy wheels
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
19
18" M Lt/Aly wheels Double-spoke style 838 M Bicolour
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electronic
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
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.
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
1212650 ZAR
1255000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
1300000
1255000
Starting Price Zar
1300000
1255000
Spec
CLA Electric
iX1
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This CLA Electric and iX1 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 iX1 95.
Efficiency index: CLA Electric 90 vs iX1 90.
Safety-equipment index: CLA Electric 95 vs iX1 92.
Practicality index: CLA Electric 54 vs iX1 64.
Ownership-cover index: CLA Electric not separately scored vs iX1 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 iX1 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
iX1 leads by 7 points
CLA Electric and iX1 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
iX1
Performance
95/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
64/100
CLA Electric
Performance
77/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW iX1
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 78 pts for CLA Electric
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, iX1 leads. However, CLA Electric 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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