Mercedes-Benz CLA35 vs Volvo Ex90

What's the difference?

Is the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 the perfect choice in the sleek sedan’s line-up?

Well, if you are after outright performance, then the answer still clearly lies with the CLA 45. But for those that just want a little more pep compared to the standard CLA range, the 35 is undoubtedly the one to get.

It’s not without its flaws, though, commanding a $15,000 price premium over the CLA 250 and a tougher-than-we’d-like ride, but if you value a more engaging drive and a brisk 0-100km/h time, the CLA 35 should definitely be on your shopping list.

The new Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance strikes a great balance between sophistication and practicality. It looks sharp, drives beautifully, and delivers a solid range with fast charging to match. Adding to that is a comfortable, family-friendly cabin with space for seven. It’s hard not to be impressed.

There are a couple of technology beats it misses but it's still an easy SUV to live with.

From the front, the CLA 35 exterior oozes style and luxury.

Up front, the sleek and slender headlights emphasise the width of the fascia, while the large Mercedes logo sits proudly front and centre of the CLA’s nose.

There are subtle hints to the CLA 35’s sportiness too, with a slightly bulging bonnet and chiselled lower chin.

The grille is also unique on the 35, with a dual-horizontal slat design instead of the non-AMG CLA’s diamond pattern or the CLA 45’s Panamericana grille.

To my eye, the front of the CLA 35 is actually a bit too tame in styling for an AMG model. I prefer the in-your-face aggression of the CLA 45’s widened track and front grille, while the CLA 35 opts for more subtle styling cues. To each their own, though.

The silver paintwork of our test car probably doesn’t help, and if it was my choice I'd pick 'Sun Yellow' or 'Denim Blue' to stand out a bit more from the sea of black, grey and white German cars out there.

Move to the rear of the car though, and a large rear diffuser, big dual-exhaust outlets and a bootlid spoiler are much more befitting an AMG model.

Step inside the CLA and you will see it adopts the same dashboard design as all new-generation Mercedes vehicles built on the MFA2 platform, with the 'MBUX' dual-screen layout, large air-vents and central touchpad.

Our car was specced out with red-leather interior, which is a bit too loud for my tastes, but a two-tone black leather/titanium grey combo can also be had at no extra cost.

Sitting inside the CLA 35, you can tell it’s a modern car thanks to the clean layout of all the controls, while the screen-heavy dashboard definitely makes it feel tech-focused.

The EX90 has swathes of smooth body panelling and a closed-off grille, as we've come to expect from a modern EV. The rear roofline tapers gently, giving it a sleek profile, while the black body moulding around the base and frameless mirrors add some visual interest.

It’s a clear departure from the boxier XC90 and you won’t mix them up but it still features those signature 'Hammer of Thor' LED headlights, which I really like.

The Ultra rides on 22-inch alloy wheels which help fill the arches nicely without making the car look oversized or flashy. The soft-close doors are a luxe touch and the overall fit and finish is up there with the best in the segment.

It shares its platform and technology with the Polestar 3, so if you're familiar with that model, the dashboard and centre console layout will feel very familiar.

I’m a fan of the clean, minimalist look and it works well with the panoramic sunroof, which brings in loads of light. A future update will let you switch the roof from clear to opaque, which should be a nice touch come summer.

The ambient lighting is cleverly integrated with the birch wood trim, and there are subtle ambient lights throughout the cabin that give it a business-class vibe.

And since it’s fully electric, there’s no transmission tunnel, so the middle row gets a completely flat floor. That also means extra space, with a handy storage cubby added under the centre console.

Measuring 4695mm long, 1834mm wide, 1399mm tall and with a 2729mm wheelbase, the CLA 35 is definitely a sizeable sedan in the metal.

This actually makes the CLA 35 slightly longer and wider than a non-AMG C-Class sedan that measures 4686 and 1810mm respectively, but don’t expect the same level of practical interior space.

With a heavily sloped roofline, rear-seat comfort takes a hit. My 183cm (6.0ft) frame could not sit upright behind my driving position without tilting my head, while legroom was also slightly lacking.

With such large C-pillars and a small rear window, the second-row can actually feel a little claustrophobic for full-sized adults, but will seat children quite comfortably.

Second-row amenities include air-vents, two USB-C ports, back-of-seat storage nets, bottle holders in the doors, and two cupholders in the fold-down arm rest.

Just like at a music concert though, the best seats in the CLA 35 are up front, with plenty of room for heads, shoulders and legs.

The cabin is also much more light-filled up front, making for a more pleasant experience.

The front seats are electronically adjustable, as is the steering column, but the headrests are fixed.

Storage options include sizeable door bins, a centre console cubby, glove box, two cupholders and a wireless smartphone charger.

Boot space is 460 litres, but can expand with the rear split-fold 40/20/40 rear seats stowed.

Though the boot looks small and shallow on the outside, the aperture is actually quite large, and can easily accommodate a large suitcase with plenty of room to spare.

The EX90 nails the balance between luxury and everyday usability. Up front, there’s loads of head, leg and elbow room, and it’s easy to get in and out thanks to the 216mm ground clearance and wide door apertures.

That said, the flush door handles can be a bit temperamental as they don’t always pop out when you approach and the key card only works from the driver’s side, which can be annoying.

Once you’re in, the front seats are superb. They’re seriously comfortable, with heating, ventilation, massage and extendable thigh supports that make long trips a breeze. It’s easy to find a great driving position and just settle in.

Storage up front is clever and generous. There’s a large glove box, a deep centre console with a hidden cubby, a shelf under the floating centre stack, plus cupholders and big door bins. It's well thought out and practical.

The 14.5-inch multimedia screen looks fantastic and is responsive. Now, I’m a button girl, and usually having to rely on a screen for everything would bug me but this set-up works.

You can pin your favourite features like climate and media controls to the bottom of the display for easy access, and the voice assistant is usually really capable, so you can stay hands-free when needed.

Built-in Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Spotify, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make tech integration smooth. Navigation directions show up clearly in both the 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster and the colour head-up display, which is a nice touch.

I experienced a couple of tech gremlins toward the end of my week with the car. The Google Assistant stopped picking up my voice commands and calls wouldn’t route through the sound system once connected.

Thankfully, both issues seemed to resolve themselves without intervention, but it's worth noting in case it’s a software quirk that pops up from time to time.

The second-row seats are ergonomic but a little firm - still comfy enough for long trips, especially with heating for the outboard seats.

Access is easy, and my eight-year old had no trouble climbing in or out. The booster seat integration has moved to the middle seat only (instead of both outboards), which might limit flexibility for some families, but for us it works fine.

There are ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats and three top-tether points across the second row, and yes, you can fit three child seats side by side. Amenities in the second row are excellent with two USB-C ports, air vents, dual-zone climate, map pockets, cupholders and decent storage bins.

The third row is, as expected, best for kids, as toe room is limited and the access is child-sized. Still, it’s well-appointed with two cupholders, USB-C ports, and air vents built into the C-pillars. Even better, it gets two top-tether anchor points, which is a huge bonus for big families.

Boot space is solid because even with all seats up, you get 324L, including a useful underfloor compartment. Fold the third row and it jumps to 697L.

You can also manually raise or lower the boot height thanks to the active air suspension, and the third row folds electrically. There’s also a 12-volt socket and a powered tailgate you can operate via the Volvo app or the multimedia screen.

Up front, there’s a 34L frunk which is ideal for storing charging cables or a tyre repair kit, keeping everything neat and separate.

There are two grades available for the new Volvo EX90, and for this review, we're testing the flagship Ultra Twin Motor Performance.

While it shares the same motor configuration as the lower Plus variant, the Ultra gets a performance tweak that improves its 0–100km/h sprint time. Naturally, it also comes with a suite of luxurious extras befitting its flagship status.

Starting at $134,990, before on-road costs, the Ultra sits comfortably in the middle of its electric upper-large SUV rivals.

It’s more expensive than the Kia EV9 GT-Line (from $121,000) but undercuts the luxury-laden Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4Matic (from $222,400). It also only costs $6600 more than the top-spec PHEV XC90, making it a compelling step up if you require electric performance and efficiency.

With a claimed WLTP driving range of 570km, the EX90 Ultra holds its own in the segment, offering solid long-distance capability.

The Ultra is well-equipped as you’d expect with electric front seats that feature heat, ventilation and massage functions. There is a heated steering wheel, fixed panoramic sunroof and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Volvo has confirmed the panoramic sunroof will have an adjustment setting between clear and opaque in a future update, as it currently doesn’t have a blind.

Some great practical and family-friendly features include heated rear outboard seats, powered third-row seats, a powered tailgate, a 34L frunk for charging cables and an integrated kid’s booster seat in the middle row for those transitional stages.

The well-rounded suite of technology is based on the EX90's new Polestar 3 cousin and includes four USB-C ports plus a digital key via the Volvo app. The app also allows you to check on the status of the vehicle, open and close the boot lid, remotely unlock/lock the vehicle and pre-set the internal climate.

There is a large 14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia display that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation (with live traffic updates and directions that are pulled into the colour head-up display) and a 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The system also has a suite of built-in apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Spotify etc. 

Powered by a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, the CLA 35 punches out 225kW/400Nm.

Drive is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions to the road via Mercedes’ '4Matic' all-wheel-drive system, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint in the 1603kg sedan in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Though I didn’t get a chance to test the latter, the former certainly feels accurate when taking off from a freeway on ramp, however, there is some hesitation from the turbo in getting on boost.

Peak power comes in at 5800rpm, while maximum torque is available from 3000-4000rpm.

The Ultra is all-wheel drive with twin electric motors, one on each axle. Combined, they deliver a hefty 380kW of power and 910Nm of torque. That translates to a 0–100km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds, which is seriously impressive for a big SUV.

Do we need it to be this fast? Absolutely not. But do I appreciate the gumption? You bet I do.

Officially, the CLA 35 sips 7.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, but we managed a 9.9L/100km figure in our week with the car.

The majority of our driving was done in inner-city environments, with the two trips down the freeway to seek out twisty country rounds.

Minimum fuel grade in the CLA 35 is 98 RON.

The official WLTP energy consumption figure for the EX90 Ultra is 16.9kWh/100km, and after a good mix of open-road and urban driving, I averaged around 20kWh/100km which isn't bad at all for a vehicle of this size.

The strong regenerative braking helps here, and if you time your deceleration right, you can enjoy a proper one-pedal driving experience, which makes city driving feel effortless.

The EX90 uses a Type 2 CCS charging port and packs a massive 111kWh lithium-ion battery, good for a driving range of up to 570km (WLTP).

Charging speeds are impressive as it supports up to 11kW on AC and a hefty 250kW on DC fast chargers. That means you can go from 10–80 per cent in as little as 35 minutes on a 250kW charger, or in around 10 hours on an 11kW home set-up.

The CLA 35 might not offer the outright thrills or breadth of capability of the CLA 45, but don’t think the cut-price AMG offers up a cut-rate driving experience.

From the driver’s seat, one of the cool things about the CLA 35 is that it doesn’t actually look any different from its more expensive sibling.

The drive-mode selector that is now embedded on the steering wheel is fantastic, a feature first seen on the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door, and makes changing the driving dynamics on the fly an absolute breeze.

In fact, we think all cars where you can select drive modes should have a selector on the steering wheel like this, which lets you quickly and easily dial it up or down while keeping your hands on the wheel.

'Comfort', 'Sport', 'Sport+' and 'Individual' modes are available, while the transmission can also be put into manual mode independently for those that prefer to use the flappy paddles.

Suspension settings can also be tweaked regardless of which drive mode you are in, and it’s this level of customisability that we appreciate.

You want loud exhaust pops and the engine in full attack with manual shifting and the softest suspension? Sure, that’s doable here in the CLA 35. And toning it down to its most comfortable settings is just a flick of the wrist away.

The steering feels a little numb on centre and at slower speeds, though feedback picks right up with speed and is communicative enough when the road starts to get twisty.

Fitted with wide and sticky Michelin rubber, as well as the aforementioned all-wheel drive system, the CLA 35 is certainly not lacking in grip.

The suspension does an okay job of absorbing bumps, but uneven surfaces, like Melbourne’s tram tracks, can send uncomfortable jolts into the cabin if travelling quickly.

In fact, we think the ride comfort of the CLA 35 is probably its weakest aspect, offering not enough variability in its Comfort and Sport settings, and instead settling somewhere in between, regardless of drive mode.

The CLA 35 is ultimately still a fun and engaging sports sedan, though there are some sacrifices made to get it there.

Smooth and effortlessly powerful - that’s the best way to sum up the EX90 on the road. Despite its size, you don’t feel the bulk from behind the wheel. It’s nimble when it needs to be and wickedly quick off the line. Even under hard acceleration, I always feel in control, which is a huge plus for something this punchy.

You can customise the steering feel, and I preferred it on the firmer setting as it gave the best feedback without feeling heavy. The active air suspension does a great job of absorbing rough surfaces without softening the handling, so there’s no floatiness, just a composed, comfortable ride.

Inside the cabin, it’s beautifully quiet. That signature EV silence makes the space feel refined, with just the occasional tyre rumble at higher speeds, depending on the road surface but it’s never intrusive.

Visibility is mostly great from the front and sides, but the rear window feels miles away in the mirror, and the B-pillars are a little thick, so there’s a minor blind spot to be aware of.

Parking is easier than you’d expect for something of its size. The 360-degree camera is super clear, and there are plenty of parking sensors. The 12m turning circle is pretty standard, but it still felt totally manageable in tight shopping centre car parks.

The EX90 hasn’t been ANCAP-tested yet, so it’s currently unrated but being a Volvo, you can bet it’s packed with safety smarts.

It features a comprehensive suite of advanced safety tech, including side exit assist, emergency call functionality and a child detection system using radar sensors to monitor for movement in the cabin after the car is locked, designed to prevent children being accidentally left inside.

The second- and third-row seats all feature top-tether points, with ISOFIX anchors on the two outer second-row positions.

There are seven airbags, including a front-centre airbag and curtain airbags that cover all three rows, which is a win for families.

On top of that, it’s equipped with Volvo’s 'Pilot Assist' suite, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, 360-degree camera system, front/rear parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning.

Volvo is also working toward occupant sensing and driver monitoring systems that go beyond the usual alerts. The EX90 includes an interior radar system sensitive enough to detect the micro-movements of breathing, aimed at preventing hot car deaths.

It’s being pitched by Volvo as one of the more safety-forward SUVs on the market, even before it earns its official crash score.

As with all new Mercedes-Benz models, the CLA 35 comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is one of the best assurance periods offered by a premium carmaker.

It also comes with five years of roadside assist.

Scheduled service intervals are every 25,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

A three-year service plan is available for $2150 for new CLA 35 buyers, saving $500 when priced individually.

Four- and five-year plans are also available, and are priced at $4200 and $4950 respectively.

The EX90 is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is on par with most rivals, though Kia still has the edge with its longer coverage. Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

As for costs? For the first five years, servicing is included in the purchase price, so while it’s technically not ‘free,’ it does mean no extra out-of-pocket expenses for scheduled maintenance during that time and that’s pretty solid value in this segment.