2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA: A Complete Transformation

Copenhagen, Denmark—The Mercedes-Benz CLA has undergone a complete transformation, switching from a conventional powertrain to a fully electric drive unit as the German luxury brand’s first vehicle to ride on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). The platform will underpin several more EVs to come and even a few models that still feature a gasoline engine.

As a matter of fact, Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed a mild hybrid variant of this new CLA, one that uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor drawing energy from a 1.3kWh battery. It will launch at a later date.

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For now, it’s all about the electric CLA, which is slated to go on sale in Canada in the spring of 2026. The only body style we’ll get is the four-door coupe, whereas European customers will also have access to a CLA Shooting Brake. That’s a shame if you ask us, because we’re willing to bet that the more spacious, wagon-style configuration would enjoy success in parts of the country.

The MMA-based CLA is equipped with an 800V electrical system enabling up to 320 kW of DC fast charging, which is exceptional. According to Mercedes-Benz engineers, the 85kWh NMC battery can go from 10-80 percent charge in just 22 minutes in ideal conditions. The company has assured us that Canadian units will all come standard with a converter allowing access to 400V fast chargers.

Two-Speed Transmission

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA benefits from newly developed electric motors that are more compact and more efficient. The one at the rear, shared by the single-motor CLA 250+ and the dual-motor CLA 350 4Matic, is paired with a two-speed transmission designed to enhance performance but mostly to reduce energy consumption. When driven in Normal or Eco mode, the shift from first to second can occur as soon as the car reaches 60 km/h. In Sport mode, this transition takes place at 110 km/h.

The single-motor CLA 250+ sends 268 horsepower to the rear wheels, while the dual-motor CLA 350 4Matic distributes 349 horsepower between all four wheels. The front motor functions as a “boost” drive, activated only when additional power or traction is needed, depending on the driving situation or mode. The CLA 350 4Matic is quite spirited but not mind-blowingly explosive, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The CLA 250+ achieves the same sprint in 6.7 seconds.

Super-Efficient Performance

For this first experience with the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA, we spent most of the time driving the CLA 350 4Matic on a mix of highways, country roads and city streets in and around Copenhagen, never going above the posted speed limits. At the end of the day, we recorded an average energy consumption of 14.5 kWh/100 km, which is very good.

Like all electric cars, the CLA features regenerative braking, allowing it to recuperate kinetic energy during braking and deceleration. Four levels can be selected including Intelligent Recuperation, which adjusts energy recuperation based on driving conditions and traffic. The system automatically kicks in when the flow of traffic slows down, grabbing a few electrons at every possible opportunity. It proved particularly effective, so we used it the most.

Based on this first drive, we estimate real-world range to be around 615 km with the single-motor CLA 250+ and around 585 km with the dual-motor CLA 350 4Matic. Let’s just hope that Mercedes-Benz has found a way to improve reliability, because its current crop of EVs can definitely do a little better in that department.

The CLA's suspension is a conventional system with springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. We quite liked the ride quality it delivered on the perfectly surfaced roads of Denmark, but it could be a different story back home in Canada. Overall, the CLA 350 4Matic displays superb balance with high levels of comfort and pretty decent handling. Meanwhile, the cabin is remarkably quiet.

Extremely Aerodynamic

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.21, making it one of the most aerodynamic cars in the entire industry. A total of 142 illuminated stars adorn the black-panel grille up front, which combines with flush-mounted door handles and a smooth underbody that is almost completely closed to achieve such a high level of aerodynamic efficiency.

The new CLA is also longer overall than its predecessor and rides on an extended wheelbase. As a result, legroom is improved, especially for occupants in the first row. Meanwhile, the standard glass roof maximizes headroom for rear passengers. Trunk space has shrunk, but on the flip side, the electric CLA offers a large 101-litre frunk.

When it comes to infotainment, engineers have developed a new MB.OS operating system that controls most vehicle functions including driver assistance features and charging. This operating system, with automatic over-the-air updates, enables the integration of third-party apps and services. Drivers can interact with an AI-based assistant powered by Google and Microsoft.

Coming in Spring 2026

The new 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ and CLA 350 4Matic models will be available in Canada from spring 2026. At the time of writing, pricing and packaging had not yet been announced. We’ll know more about the cars closer to launch.