With the A-Class sedan no longer on offer, the third-generation CLA-Class coupe sedan now bears the heavy responsibility of being Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level sedan.
Competing against the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the CLA features larger dimensions, measuring 4,722 mm in length (+41 mm) and with a wheelbase now increased by 61 mm to 2,789 mm.
However, these dimensional changes primarily benefit the driver and rear passengers, who will enjoy more legroom.
Rear passengers, on the other hand, will have to contend with slightly reduced leg space.
To start, the CLA-Class is available in a fully electric (EV) version with two variants offered.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology comes equipped with a rear-wheel-drive electric motor producing 268 hp and 335 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 96 km/h in just 6.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 209 km/h.
Meanwhile, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology features a dual-motor setup (349 hp/515 Nm) and an all-wheel-drive system, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in 4.8 seconds.
With an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, this entry-level electric sedan can achieve a range of 672-771 km, or up to 694-792 km for the 250+ variant.
The 800-volt electrical architecture provides DC fast-charging capabilities of up to 320 kW, allowing owners to add up to 325 km of range in just 10 minutes.
A hybrid variant is also expected to be introduced later, which will feature a 1.5-liter engine paired with a 1.3 kWh battery pack, 48-volt technology, and an electric motor integrated into an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
In terms of exterior design, the EV variant of the CLA features a grille panel adorned with a glowing three-pointed star, while the hybrid variant sports a more traditional grille structure.
The Mercedes star element is also incorporated into the front and rear headlight units.
Compared to its predecessor, the 2026 CLA has an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.21, thanks to its flush door handles, sleeker roofline, and more aerodynamic wheel designs (ranging from 17 to 19 inches).
To make the cabin feel more luxurious, Mercedes offers the MBUX Superscreen system, which includes a 10.25-inch instrument cluster display and a pair of 14-inch screens.
The MBUX Superscreen is powered by the Mercedes-Benz Operating System and features artificial intelligence capabilities, showcasing ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini.
In addition to its focus on screens, the 2026 CLA will also come equipped with a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, heated front seats, a fixed panoramic glass roof, and a single-zone climate control system.
For the first time, a Mercedes vehicle offers a front trunk (frunk) with a capacity of 71 liters, complementing the rear cargo space of 405 liters.
For fans of internal combustion engines (ICE), unfortunately you cannot enjoy this feature.
