EV Novated Lease ($75k): Merc CLA 200 EV vs Tesla M3/MY?
Hey everyone,
Looking for real-world perspectives to help break a tie on my next EV under an Australian novated lease (~$75k budget).
(Note upfront: I haven't considering Chinese brands like BYD, Zeekr, Geely, etc. While Chinese EVs offer great cabin luxury, their local parts availability and warranty turnaround remain unproven. I also have major cyber security concerns; Tesla’s vulnerability patching maturity is well ahead of brands like BYD. .
The Contenders & Deals:
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 EV: Comes to ~$75k after a 4% corporate/NL discount. It’s a brand-new model/platform, bringing fresh styling and next-gen tech.
◦ Catches: Quoting a 3–4 month delivery wait, and ongoing dealer maintenance is steep (the 5-year Mercedes service plan sits around $4,200).
• Tesla Model 3 / Model Y (2026-built MY27): Taking advantage of a ~5% price reduction on existing stock inventory, meaning immediate delivery, sitting comfortably under budget, and minimal condition-based maintenance costs.
Test Drive Impressions & Practicality Check:
• Mercedes CLA 200 EV: Classic luxury feel, very quiet road isolation, and premium tactile controls. However, the rear seat headroom, legroom, and rear door entry aperture are genuinely tight.
• Tesla (Model 3/Y): The software UX, smart features, Supercharger network convenience, and Autopilot / FSD tech are noticeably ahead. Interior cabin packaging is significantly more open and airy.
Family Context: No young kids or prams to worry about—our kids are grown up. Most driving is daily commuting, but we do occasionally head out as a family of adults for weekend drives and road trips.
The Dilemma: The CLA 200 EV is the newer, fresher release with proper prestige luxury- but is it worth waiting 3–4 months, compromising on tight rear seating for adult passengers, and paying ~$4,200 in servicing over 5 years? Or does the immediate availability of a discounted 2026-built MY27 Tesla—with proven software, practical cabin room, and negligible routine maintenance—make it the smarter 3–5 year lease?
Would love to hear your thoughts.