Top 5 similar cars to the Mercedes-AMG CLA45

The Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S is a devastatingly effective piece of machinery. Packing the world’s most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine, it delivers 310 kW and 500 Nm through an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, blending supercar-slaying acceleration with a sleek, four-door coupe silhouette.

Related: Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Final Edition (2026) Review

However, at well over R1.5 million new, it sits in a highly competitive bracket. If you are browsing the market for an ultra-high-performance compact car but want to see what else your hard-earned Rands can buy, here are the top 5 alternatives available in South Africa.

Audi RS3 vs Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S vs BMW M340i: Here's our winner

1. Audi RS3 Sedan

If there is any car that keeps the engineers in Affalterbach awake at night, it is the Audi RS3. Available in both Sportback and Sedan guises, the RS3 is the most direct rival to the CLA45 S.

• The engine: The legendary 2.5-litre turbocharged 5-cylinder.

• The power: 294 kW and 500 Nm.

• Why it's a rival: While it yields a few kilowatts to the AMG on paper, the RS3’s distinctive five-cylinder warble is arguably the best soundtrack in this segment. Thanks to Audi’s clever RS Torque Splitter, it can also drift just as hard as the Mercedes. It matches the CLA45 S’s 0–100 km/h sprint time of just 3.8 seconds, making it a neck-and-neck street fighter.

2. BMW M2 Coupe

If you are willing to trade the practicality of four doors for a traditional, muscular sports coupe layout, the BMW M2 is the purist’s alternative.

• The engine: A detuned version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six found in the M3 and M4.

• The power: A beefy 353 kW and 550 Nm.

• Why it's a rival: Unlike the all-wheel-drive grip-fests from Mercedes and Audi, the M2 sends all its raw power exclusively to the rear wheels. It is heavier and slightly more demanding to drive fast, but it offers a traditional rear-wheel-drive M-car experience that the front-biased architecture of the CLA simply cannot emulate. Interestingly, an all-wheel-drive version of the M2 is coming soon.

3. BMW M240i xDrive Gran Coupe

Perhaps you want to stay within the BMW stable but absolutely require four doors and all-weather traction. The M240i xDrive Gran Coupe represents the closest body-style match to the CLA's "four-door coupe" aesthetic.

• The engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder.

• The power: 245 kW and 500 Nm.

• Why it's a rival: On paper, the M240i sits a tier below the full-fat AMG 45 and competes more directly with the milder CLA35. However, it undercuts the AMG significantly on price while still delivering a sub-4.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint. It is a highly competent, premium daily driver that offers 80% of the AMG's thrills at a lower cost.

4. Volkswagen Golf 8.5 R

The Volkswagen Golf R has long been the default choice for South Africans looking for premium hyper-hatch performance. The latest facelifted Golf 8.5 R continues this legacy with sharp tech upgrades.

• The engine: The ubiquitous EA888 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo.

• The power: 245 kW and 420 Nm.

• Why it's a rival: It doesn't have a boot silhouette, but under the skin, it shares a very similar mechanical philosophy with the CLA45 S: a highly strung 2.0-litre turbo, an advanced torque-vectoring AWD system, and a dual-clutch gearbox. The Golf R is slightly more clinical but serves as a more practical, understated hatchback alternative that handles daily commuting with immense compliance.

5. Toyota GR Corolla

For the buyer who wants to stand out from the typical German premium trio, the Toyota GR Corolla is a wild, rally-bred alternative that turns heads wherever it goes.

• The engine: A high-boost 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo.

• The power: 221 kW and 400 Nm.

• Why it's a rival: It lacks the luxury, leather-clad, premium-cabin ambient lighting of the Mercedes-AMG. However, it makes up for it with pure mechanical soul. Featuring a selectable GR-Four AWD system and a mandatory 6-speed manual gearbox, it appeals to the driver who values mechanical engagement over straight-line drag-racing times.

Summary Comparison

Verdict

If you want the closest direct alternative to the CLA45 S, the Audi RS3 Sedan is your best bet. If you want pure, unfiltered track dynamics, stretch for the BMW M2. But if it's pure driving pleasure you're after, perhaps a sports hatchback is in your future