Compare the2026 Toyota MiraiVS 2026 Mercedes CLA EQ

The Toyota Mirai has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Mirai has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Mirai and the CLA EQ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Mirai 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA EQ. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA EQ ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Mirai for 3 years and 35000 miles. Toyota will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLA EQ.

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mirai’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 19th.

The Mirai can travel longer on a full tank of hydrogen than the CLA EQ on a full charge:

For better traction, the Mirai has larger tires than the CLA EQ (235/55R19 vs. 205/55R17). The Mirai’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA EQ (235/55R19 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mirai has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CLA 250+ EQ.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mirai’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the CLA EQ (114.9 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mirai is .1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the CLA EQ.

The Toyota Mirai may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Mercedes CLA EQ.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the Mirai offers cargo security. The CLA EQ’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

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

The Mirai’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Start standard on the CLA EQ only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the Mirai Limited to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the Mirai and the CLA EQ have standard heated front seats. The Mirai Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA EQ.

The Mirai 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 costs extra on the CLA EQ.

The Toyota Mirai has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Mercedes charges extra for Homelink® on the CLA EQ.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Mirai has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLA EQ.