The CLA has arrived
Mercedes-Benz has long offered an electric car with the EQS, EQB, and EQE as some of the better-known options, and each brimming with the expected accoutrements of a Mercedes, no matter the powertrain. The German brand has never purported to be anything other than a luxury carmaker, but with the CLA, it finally feels like an electric Mercedes is within reach.
The CLA was announced earlier this year as a 2026 all-electric sedan — notable in a market inundated with compact SUVs. It begins deliveries later this month. Efficient and pared down, the CLA also offers a more compact price tag. It’s still Mercedes, so extra packages and trims like the Exclusive and Pinnacle can boost the experience. The CLA 250+ rear-wheel drive starts at $47,250, while the CLA 350 dual-motor all-wheel drive option is priced at $49,800 and arrives after the base version.
Mercedes-Benz
The electric CLA arrives first, then the hybrid
Gone are the EQ days for Mercedes’ electric lineup. In its place, the CLA with EQ Technology is here with two powertrain options and a forthcoming mild hybrid version for the U.S. While the single-motor 250 isn’t as sporty as the dual-motor 350 (zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds instead of 4.8 seconds) it still has plenty of electric spunk with 247 pound-feet of torque and 268 horsepower (380 lb-ft and 349 horsepower, respectively, for the 350). Mercedes calls the CLA “athletic” and is focusing on its tech benefits, like the MBUX infotainment system on the MB.OS system that first launched in the E-Class. The standard model comes with a panoramic glass roof and a classic Mercedes grille with 142 individual stars that light up the front.
The CLA is the first Mercedes EV to ditch the EQ nomenclature, although not entirely. It still offers EQ Technology with its modular battery system, providing 800 volts across four battery cell modules that sit low along the bottom of the car. This offers fast charging and an impressive range. For the 2027 model year, the CLA will also be offered as a 48-volt hybrid, no plugging in required, but it will take gasoline.
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Driving (and charging) the CLA
Taking the CLA through dense city streets, clogged highways, and curvy highway roads showed it can do it all. Although it’s more of an urban driver, punching across lanes and ahead of traffic is where it’s happiest. This isn’t the EQS or other limo-like Mercedes models, but it is spritely and nimble. While still a hefty 4,553 pounds (the 85 kWh lithium-ion battery that sits low on the base is mostly to blame), the range on the single-motor 250 is an impressive 374 miles and can be strategically pushed to reach almost 400 miles. (The dual-motor still surpasses 300 miles.) Aggressively driving around the Bay Area along the coast and across several bridges after three hours dropped the fully charged CLA to about 63% battery. Range anxiety felt like an afterthought.
The tech and screens dominate the CLA, but that’s not necessarily where it shines. For one, the optional MBUX Superscreen with its Zero Layer user interface on 10.25 inches behind the wheel, 14 inches on the central display, and an additional 14-inch display for the front passenger can be overwhelming. Additionally, Mercedes pushes its navigation system with Google Maps, but it can sometimes feel like tech overload.
In a virtual roundtable discussion with Mercedes’ chief software officer, Magnus Östberg, he said Mercedes is “the first legacy automaker to take on software like this,” differentiating itself from startups like Tesla and Lucid.
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Fast charging is competitive on the CLA at up to 320 kW, and it only needs 22 minutes to get to 80% from 10% on its 800-volt system (or 100 miles of range in 5 minutes). It even offers both types of charger plugs, NACS and J1772, under one flap. But there are some charging shortcomings, namely incompatibility with Tesla’s Supercharger stations (and other fast charging stations) in early units, until the system is updated with a converter.
Creature comforts still exist even in the standard CLA, but if you’re looking for the silent, opulent ride of the EQS, this isn’t that. The CLA has a sporty vibe, especially with eight paint colors, including the new Liquid Crystal Green and Sky Blue Metallic options, and the wood interior with aluminum touches throughout. Even so, you won’t find massage settings or ventilated seats. Wheels are available in 17-, 18, and 19-inch configurations, and there’s an optional Night Package, AMG Line, and Line Plus designs for even sportier energy.
Small details, like a front trunk (frunk) organizer and the fact that there even is a frunk (the EQS noticeably was missing the extra space) with 2.5 cubic feet, take it beyond a basic EV.
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Mercedes-Benz
Taking on Tesla
Even if Mercedes has a more luxurious connotation, within the electric space, the main competitor is always Tesla. The CLA doesn’t match up neatly with Tesla’s lineup, but it finally brings an EV that isn’t as focused on the luxurious side. It’s an efficient EV that can keep up with the long-range beasts from Tesla and Lucid, with the Lucid Air Pure offering a much higher starting price of about $70,000 with a 420-mile range.
In a Model 3 showdown, the CLA stands up well. It takes on the Model 3’s 321 miles of range on the new “Standard” package, but Tesla’s pricing of under $40,000 has Mercedes beat. Space in the CLA can feel a bit cramped in the back, with a few inches less legroom and a smaller trunk (14.3 cubic feet compared to Tesla’s 21 cubic feet), but the focus is up front, where it nearly matches the Model 3. To keep the CLA more dynamic, the passenger experience is simplified, which is honestly very Tesla-like.
Technology-wise, the CLA looks splashy and has assisted driving features and facial recognition, but it’s not there yet in all ways. Tesla’s FSD mode is superior and more capable. Even on the highway, the CLA’s driver assistance felt uneasy on turns and had a hard time curving with the road.
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Final thoughts
With range at a competitive level and an infotainment system to rival most vehicles, the CLA offers the Mercedes experience in a functional and practical EV package. With pricing starting under $50,000, it’s finally available to more people, something the Model Y has capitalized on for years in the compact SUV category. It could now be Mercedes’ turn to dominate, especially in the electric sedan space. It needs some time to sort out charging compatibility and advanced tech features to stay competitive with Tesla, but it’s almost there.