Mercedes-Benz CLA 2026 Review - International

Arriving in the second half of 2026, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA has yet to be priced for Australia but it’s almost certain that the new range will carry a premium over the first-generation combustion-only CLA, that was priced from $73,100 to $129,300 plus on-road costs (ORCs). 

We expect the entry-level CLA 250+ with EQ Technology to be priced from $85,000 to $90,000, with the all-wheel-drive CLA 350 with EQ Technology to come with a six-figure price tag. 

Cheaper versions of the CLA line-up have already been locked in, including a version powered by a smaller, more affordable 58kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that will be on sale before the end of this year. 

Those cheaper EV versions haven’t yet been confirmed for Australia, but we will get the new mild-hybrid CLA that will be offered with front- or all-wheel drive with 100kW and 200Nm, 120kW and 250Nm, and a flagship version with 140kW and 300Nm.

Chief rivals for the mild hybrid will be the Audi A3 sedan ($53,100 to $60,200) and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe ($59,900 to $86,600), while all-electric alternatives include the Hyundai IONIQ 6 ($67,300 to $85,500) and the Tesla Model 3 ($54,900 to $80,900). 

There’s even going to be a CLA Shooting Brake wagon, but the local outfit has yet to confirm whether or not we’ll see it Down Under.

Initially, when the small sedan is introduced to Australia, buyers will have the choice of the CLA 250+ or the CLA 350 4MATIC. 

Choose the former if you want a car capable of covering the maximum 792km range (WLTP verified) on a single charge. The base EV also comes with a single e-motor that produces 200kW and 335Nm and drives the rear wheels via a two-speed transmission.

Maximising low-speed acceleration in town and efficiency at high speeds on the freeway, the entry CLA 250+ covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds. 

For those who fancy all-wheel drive, a second smaller 80kW e-motor is added to the front axle of the CLA 350 4MATIC that boosts total power to 260kW and ramps up peak torque to 515Nm. 

Despite driving all four wheels, the flagship version of the four-door coupe can still cover up to 771km on a full charge, while 0-100km/h takes just 4.9 seconds. 

Both cars have a top speed limited to 210km/h.

We think new owners of the CLA will simply never worry about range, while charging shouldn’t be a problem either. Thanks to its MMA platform underpinnings, the CLA comes with 800-volt electrics that afford a peak charging rate in excess of 320kW. 

That translates to up to 325km of range added just 10 minutes after you’ve plugged in, while a 10 to 80 per cent top-up takes less than 22 minutes – but that’s only if you can find a fast 800-volt charger. If you can’t, Australian-spec cars come with a 400-volt converter, the catch being that DC charging is then limited to 100kW. 

Plug in to a wallbox and AC charging is available up to 11kW, with a 0-100 per cent top-up said to take nine hours.

Even though official equipment levels are a long way off, Benz has already admitted the CLA will come with a long list of standard kit, including the German brand’s MBUX Superscreen. This will package a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14-inch infotainment system and an optional 14-inch passenger touchscreen, all behind a single piece of glass. 

All are powered by the car-maker’s next-generation MB.OS operating system that bundles ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini for the most advanced AI-powered on-board assistant yet, along with an advanced satnav that can direct you to the best charger. 

The passenger screen can also be used to stream videos that can be viewed by the driver briefly when on the move, but get caught staring too long and the driver-facing camera will berate you and pause the movie. 

Standard kit includes a full-length panoramic fixed roof that has an infrared coating to reflect UV, heated electric seats, facial recognition, LED headlamps, climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

An efficiency boosting heat pump is also standard. 

There’s no Euro NCAP safety rating yet, but engineers are confident the CLA will be the safest car in its class, while also hinting that they expect the new small sedan to be among the safest cars ever to be tested. 

All models are equipped with eight cameras, five sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a water-cooled supercomputer mounted in the boot, while the CLA also boasts the firm’s latest autonomous emergency braking, evasive steering, exit warning, traffic-sign assist, and blind-spot detection. 

In the future the adaptive cruise control will also be capable of automatic lane-changes. 

In Australia the Mercedes-Benz CLA will be protected by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with eight-year/160,000km coverage for the high-voltage battery.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA could be one of the finest all-round EVs we’ve ever tested.

It seems silly to draw attention to it, but the baby Benz EV’s best attribute seems to be the fact it doesn’t try to dazzle you with its tech and advanced powertrain.

Climb aboard and the CLA feels utterly conventional.

Sure, we’d much prefer a multi-function steering wheel without the haptic switches, but even they can’t detract from a Benz that has intuitive and easy-to-use infotainment and in-car tech.

Next, it’s hard not to fall for just how impeccably refined and quiet the CLA is on a cruise.

Aside from some wind noise, the small Benz feels like a shrunken S-Class. The cabin is impressive and we love the mix of high-grade materials, with the exception of some cheap-looking plastic around the centre console’s cup holders.

Of course, the powertrain is the real star. Without driving it efficiently at all, with 70 per cent charge left, even the all-wheel-drive CLA still indicated it could travel more than 500km before charging.

Lift off the throttle and you can’t help but notice how a lack of wind resistance at speed, thanks to its slick 0.21 drag coefficient, and the ability to disconnect its motors, seems to allow the Benz sedan to glide far further than any conventional EV. Meanwhile the two-speed transmission means both cars offer plenty of low-speed acceleration off the lights.

Possessing the usual selection of driving modes, the CLA has a ‘D Auto’ drive mode that uses the cameras and sensors to claw back up to 200kW of energy by calculating the slowing speeds of the cars ahead and automatically bringing the Mercedes smoothly to a halt.

Another highlight is how even when braking yourself, the blending of real mechanical and regenerative braking is no longer perceptible.

Measuring in at 4723mm long, 1855mm wide and standing 1468mm tall, the new CLA is 35mm longer, 25mm wider and 29mm taller, with a wheelbase stretched by 61mm to 2790mm. 

Sadly, the CLA’s more generous proportions haven’t exactly translated into that much more space within. 

Blame the battery pack that lurks beneath the floor. The panoramic roof lacks a sun blind and maximises rear headroom, but the tall will struggle. However, designers say second-row occupants are now better off compared to the cramped previous model. 

It’s also worth noting that boot space has dropped to 405 litres (down 55L), although the new 101L frunk helps to offset that loss.

The next gripe we have is that while the CLA has well-weighted and precise steering, it’s far from being the sports sedan its sleek looks perhaps suggest. 

We think it might have something to do with the EV’s excess weight – the two-wheel drive CLA 250+ tips the scales at a portly 2055kg, while the CLA 350 4MATIC weighs an obese 2135kg. 

If we’re really picky, we could also criticise the CLA for its dumpy rear styling, but we’re grateful that despite some of the packaging compromises the Benz isn’t simply a boring three-box sedan.

If you can stomach the expected price premium over its rivals, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA comes close to being one of the most complete electric cars money can buy. 

This is a battery-powered sedan that finally shelves any range anxiety concerns to the back of your brain. It’s also super quick to top up, while offering levels of efficiency that humble just about any EV you care to name. And it’s all wrapped up in a quiet, easy-to-drive package. 

Throw in its near limo level of refinement and the CLA’s quick and peaceful way of going about its business, and the newcomer is ideal for soaking up long stretches of highway. 

Of course, most Australians will overlook both it and the CLA Shooting Brake that addresses our rear headroom gripe. 

Instead, they’ll wait until late 2026 (or early 2027) for the high-riding, even heavier and less efficient GLC for their SUV fix, which is a crying shame. 

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology at a glance: 
Price:?TBC 
Available:?H2, 2026 
Powertrain:?Single permanent magnet synchronous motor 
Output:?200kW/335Nm 
Transmission:?Two-speed automatic transmission on rear axle 
Battery:?85kWh lithium-ion 
Range:?792km (WLTP) 
Energy consumption:?12.2kWh/100km (WLTP) 
Safety rating:?Not tested 

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