Third-Gen Mercedes-Benz CLA Bows In with New EV Version

The third-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA breaks cover, featuring several new EV variants and an assortment of improvements.

Following a lengthy teaser campaign featuring its concept twin and several pre-production prototypes, Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled the latest version of its four-door coupe, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA. For its third-gen iteration, this beloved nameplate has gained several new all-electric variants, as well as an assortment of improvements.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV (left) & CLA Hybrid (right)

From the get-go, one can notice that the new CLA doesn’t look like a departure in design, as it retains the same sleek fastback grand coupe bodystyle as its predecessor, with a low drag coefficient rate of 0.21 Cd. With that being said, this new grand coupe does sport some design changes, notably for the new EV version, as it gets a star-studded front grille featuring 142 light-up monograms of Merc’s three-pointed star emblem, with a large one placed at the centre.

Also new here are the redesigned LED headlights with optional Multibeam LED upgrade that are connected by a thin LED strip, giving a smart #3 vibe to the new CLA. The rest of the car, however, looks more or less the same as before, with the new LED taillights featuring three-pointed star lighting signatures being the sole new upgrade at the rear, while wheel options now range from 17 to 19 inches, depending on trim level.

Despite boasting a similar design and body style, the new CLA has grown slightly in size compared to its predecessor. It now stands 4,723 MM long, 1,855 MM wide, 1,468 MM tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,790 MM, growing 41 MM in length and 61 MM in wheelbase.

As detailed prior, the new CLA will get a pretty high-tech cabin, with the integration of Google’s AI-powered virtual assistant being the forefront for the new MBUX Superscreen setup that comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and two 14-inch infotainment screens.

For the standard model, Mercedes has ditched the timeless wood veneers and leather trims for several more minimalistic alternatives, although buyers can still get these trims as add-ons. With that being said, the standard comfort amenities list for the new CLA is still not too shabby, as it includes a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, heated and powered front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and many more.

While its legroom doesn’t improve that much over the previous model, Mercedes said the new CLA does get a larger boot space of 405 litres, while the EV version gets a small 71-litre frunk too.

At launch, the new CLA will feature two new all-electric variants, namely the baseline CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology. Mouthful as they are, the base spec basically gets a less peppy single-motor RWD setup producing 268 HP (200 kW) and 335 NM, enabling a respectable 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 6.7 seconds, before hitting a 209 KM/H V-max. What’s more impressive is the claimed WLTP range of 694-792 KM, thus making it the longest-range EV Merc has ever made, at least for now.

The up-specced CLA 350 4Matic, on the other hand, gets a peppier dual-motor AWD setup rated at 349 HP (260 kW) and 515 NM. Thanks to the extra motor, century sprint time has been shortened to 4.9 seconds, at the expense of a slightly shorter WLTP range of 672-771 KM, while its top speed remains unchanged.

Both the CLA EVs use the same 85-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is built on Merc’s new 800-volt MMA architecture. DC fast charging speed is capped at 320 kW, meaning that a ten-minute charge can grant it up to 325 KM of EV range, Mercedes claims.

The two EV variants will be followed by a new hybrid variant that will use a 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol lump and an 8-speed DCT automatic gearbox as its core, while the electrification assist comes in the form of a small 1.3-kWh battery pack and a 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) system. No output figures were given for now, but Mercedes promises that it will come in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations.

Sales for the third-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA are scheduled to begin from Oct 2025 onwards, with the two EV variants going on sale first, followed by the upcoming hybrid versions a few months later. More importantly, Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed that the new CLA will also come with a Shooting Brake version, while Autocar UK reports an AMG-badged CLA 45 EV variant is also in the pipeline, featuring a pair of Yasa-developed axial flux motors providing more than 500 HP.