The CLA's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Civic doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The CLA's standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Civic doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The CLA offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Civic doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

The CLA offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Civic only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn't help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CLA has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Civic Sport/Touring offers Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and the Civic's Rear Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the CLA and the Civic have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The CLA comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Civic's 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The CLA's 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (221 vs. 150) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 133) than the Civic's standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CLA's 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (221 vs. 200) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 232) than the Civic Hybrid's standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes CLA is faster than the Honda Civic:

Both the CLA and the Civic have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CLAs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Civic Hybrid doesn't offer a way to disable start/stop.

The CLA has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Hybrid's standard fuel tank (13.5 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CLA has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic's standard fuel tank (13.5 vs. 12.4 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLA higher (7 out of 10) than the Honda Civic (6). This means the CLA produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Civic every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the CLA's brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic:

The CLA stops much shorter than the Civic:

For better traction, the CLA has larger tires than the Civic (225/45R18 vs. 215/55R16).

The CLA's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Civic LX Sedan's standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLA has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Civic LX Sedan. The CLA's optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Civic Sport/Touring.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Civic doesn't offer run-flat tires.

The CLA has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Civic's suspension doesn't offer gas-charged shocks.

The CLA offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Civic's suspension doesn't offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The CLA's drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Civic doesn't offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CLA is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Civic.

The CLA 250 4MATIC handles at .87 G's, while the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid Sedan pulls only .79 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CLA 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Civic Sport Sedan (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G's vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G's).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the CLA's trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don't intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Civic's useful trunk space.

The CLA's standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Civic LX Sedan's standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can't share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can't be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CLA. The Civic doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CLA's available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Civic doesn't offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CLA uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Civic uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

When three different drivers share the CLA, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger's seat positions and outside mirror angle. The Civic doesn't offer a memory system.

The CLA's standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver's seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Civic doesn't offer an easy entry system.

The CLA offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver's line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Civic doesn't offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the CLA and the Civic have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CLA is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Civic prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The CLA's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Civic's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the CLA the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Civic can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CLA's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Civic LX/Sport's standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Civic doesn't offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLA offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Civic doesn't offer cornering lights. The CLA also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The CLA's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Civic Sport/Sport Touring.

When the CLA is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Civic's mirror doesn't automatically adjust for backing.

The CLA's standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Civic offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don't dim.

Both the Mercedes CLA and Honda Civic offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CLA features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver's discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Civic's foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

On extremely cold winter days, the CLA's optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Civic doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

The CLA has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won't have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Civic Sport Hybrid/Sport Touring Hybrid.

Both the CLA and the Civic offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CLA has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Civic doesn't offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Honda Civic, the Mercedes CLA eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Mercedes CLA's standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Civic Touring/Sport Touring.

The CLA's optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Civic doesn't offer an automated parking system.