New Mercedes CLA sets the standard with enormous 492-mile range

• All-new Mercedes CLA saloon
• Available as an EV or with petrol-hybrid power
• Electric range of up to 492 mile

A new era of Mercedes design, technology and efficiency has arrived, and it starts with this: the new Mercedes CLA. While it might not look that different in size and shape from the outgoing car, everything has changed under the skin, from the hybrid engines, to the new interior and the cutting-edge EV tech.

The latter, combined with a super sleek body, has allowed Mercedes to squeeze an enormous 492 miles of range from the new CLA, raising the bar for what’s possible in an EV of this size. That alone should be enough to worry the Tesla Model 3, but a fresh design, new interior tech and a focus on comfort could be enough to sway executive car buyers and those looking for a long-range electric car.

Tell me more about that 492-mile range figure

That’s right – the new electric CLA 250+ will be capable of nearly 500 miles of range on a charge. It’s a figure that surpasses even the flagship Mercedes EQS, with that car using a giant 118kWh battery to drive 472 miles.

The battery in the CLA is significantly smaller, too, measuring just 85kWh in capacity. That goes to show just how efficient the new CLA is, thanks in part to lessons learned from the Vision EQXX concept car from 2022, a super-aerodynamic EV designed to drive over 1,000km (621 miles) on a charge.

The CLA’s bodywork has a drag coefficient of just 0.21, which is one of the lowest in a production car and allows it to cut through the air with little resistance to make each kWh go that little bit further. There’s also a heat pump fitted as standard, which can boost efficiency in colder weather and ensure a consistent range figure year-round. 

It uses a trick two-speed gearbox, too, to optimise efficiency in low-speed and high-speed scenarios. A single, rear-mounted electric motor provides power for the CLA 250+, while the CLA 350 gets an extra motor on the front axle for more performance and traction. Thanks to clever tech that can decouple the front motor, range hardly takes a hit for the 350+, dropping to 479 miles.

What about charging and other EV tech?

The new CLA has picked up Mercedes’ latest 800-volt electric architecture, which is right at the cutting edge of the industry. For drivers, this means faster rapid-charging speeds that top out at 320kW – Mercedes quotes a 10 to 80% recharge time of just 22 minutes using a compatible charger. Even if you have just 10 minutes for a quick charge, you should be able to add over 200 miles of range.

Regenerative braking is fitted here, of course, and Mercedes claims that almost all braking is carried out by this system rather than the friction brakes. Steering wheel paddles can be used to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking all the way up to full one-pedal driving. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capability is baked in, too.

What about the hybrid models?

Not ready for all that new-fangled electric stuff? Mercedes has you covered with the new CLA and has developed a hybrid model to sit alongside the EVs. It uses a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 1.3kWh battery and an electric motor. While the system is technically a ‘mild hybrid’, the electric motor alone can power the CLA up to low speeds around town.

Buyers will have a choice between three different power outputs, as well as front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. Fuel efficiency and performance specs for these models haven’t been confirmed yet, but we’ll find out more information before they go on sale in 2026.

How about performance and the driving experience?

Electric models kick off with the ‘CLA 250+ with EQ Technology’ – a bit of a mouthful, we admit. Look past the lengthy name and its performance looks respectable – you get a 268bhp rear-mounted electric motor, good for a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds.

Step up to the CLA 350 and you get another electric motor and an extra shot of speed. Power increases to 349bhp, while the 0-62mph time falls to 4.9 seconds – on par with the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range. Both the 250+ and 350 have a top speed of 130mph, but don’t expect to hit that headline range figure if you make use of it.

Tipping the scales at just over two tonnes, the new CLA is no featherweight, but Mercedes has tried to cut mass where it can using plenty of aluminium under the skin, including for the suspension. Mercedes has designed the CLA’s ‘comfort suspension’ system in a similar way to its larger saloon cars, which should go some way to deliver the brand’s typical refined ride – something we noted during our prototype ride last year.

What does the new Mercedes CLA look like?

A lot like the Mercedes Concept CLA Class from a few years ago, unsurprisingly. It’s still a small, sleek saloon with a coupe-like rear roofline, although it’s grown around 40mm in length and 30mm in height over the outgoing car.

A new pair of headlights feature the Mercedes three-pointed star in their design – a motif repeated no less than 142 times across the faux grille of the electric model. There’s a full-width lightbar across the nose, too, with more than a little resemblance to the Smart #1 and Smart #3 EVs – both born out of a partnership with Mercedes and Geely.

A similar star shape is found in the tail-lights, which sit above a gloss black diffuser in the bumper. Flush door handles, a small lip spoiler and a sleek silhouette all work together to control the flow of air over the bodywork and make the CLA as efficient as possible.

The hybrid models look nearly identical, save for the different front grille. This swaps the illuminating panel of the EV for a traditional air intake, complete with horizontal chrome trim pieces either side of the giant Mercedes emblem.

What is the new CLA’s interior like?

We hope you like screens, because the new CLA is stuffed with them. The dashboard is essentially one giant digital panel – dubbed the Hyperscreen – with a driver’s display, a central infotainment display and even an optional passenger display. Skip the option box for that third screen and you get a trim piece instead, with an array of Mercedes stars to match the exterior grille.

“Reduction to the essentials” is the overall design principle for the cabin, according to Mercedes. There are few physical controls besides a small bank of buttons below the central air vent, while the centre console and door trims are relatively clutter-free. It does come with some neat standard features, though, including a panoramic sunroof and a new multifunction steering wheel.

How much does the new Mercedes CLA cost and when can I buy one?

We’ll have to wait a bit longer for official pricing for the new Mercedes CLA. Given the brand-new electric tech, we expect the CLA 250+ to cost a fair chunk more than the old car, perhaps starting at around £50,000. Hybrid models will cost less, but don’t expect much change from £40,000. The EV is set to go on sale by the end of the year, while the hybrid will follow in 2026.

New Mercedes CLA exterior and interior images

PreviousNext

1/24View Gallery

Find the latest new and used Mercedes deals on our sister site Auto Express