Ford Focus vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
What's the difference?

Ford Focus

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2021 price

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

$66,500 - $91,300

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Summary

2021 Ford Focus

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

By Peter Anderson

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 3, 1.5L

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.4L/100km (combined)

5.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Great chassis
Well-equipped
Surprising engine

Refinement
Efficiency
Safety

Dislikes

Optional advanced safety
Better tyres would be nice
Too many optional colours

Pricey servicing
Modest road feel
No physical spare tyre

2021 Ford Focus Summary

Ford's small hatch, the Focus, is criminally under-bought in Australia. The latest model is one of the best hatchbacks on the road and when you chuck in the decent price, impressive equipment and absurdly powerful engine for its size, it's a winner.

But you lot? You don't buy it in nearly the kinds of numbers it deserves. Partly because there isn't a bait-and-upsell boggo model to lure you in, partly because it's got a badge that is not exciting Australians any more and partly because it's not a compact SUV.

Or is(n't) it? Because alongside the ST-Line warm hatch is the identically priced and therefore technically a co-entry level model; the Focus Active. Slightly higher, with plastic cladding, drive modes and a conspicuous L on the transmission shifter, it's a little bit SUV, right?

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2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Summary

Mercedes-Benz has shifted its CLA compact coupe-style sedan from support player to headline act with the introduction of this all-new, third-generation version.

It exemplifies the German giant’s multi-powertrain approach with an expansion of the local line-up from two pure-combustion variants to a five-model range comprising three hybrid and two pure-electric options.

CarsGuide was invited to sample the hybrid version of the newcomer (the EVs arrive in July), so stay with us to see if this sleek four-door is your kind of premium European compact sedan.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Ford Focus 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Verdict

Ten years ago, the idea that the higher-riding version of a hatchback would be a good city car would have been laughable. The Focus Active is pitched as a kind of SUV with its different low-grip driving modes, which you'll never touch if you stick to the city.

The Ford Focus is genuinely a brilliant car, no matter where you take it. The Active takes a terrific chassis, tweaks it for comfort but, ironically, doesn't lose much of the speed.

Verdict

The broadening of the CLA’s scope in this third-gen version puts it a step ahead of key rivals and raises the compact sedan’s prominence in the three-pointed star’s local line-up. Its combination of quality design, performance and efficiency is compelling. And we’ll drive the battery-electric version as soon as it lands.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Ford Focus vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Ford Focus vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
What's the difference?