Although it may be considered entry-level, the Mercedes CLA is a game changer in the electric vehicle market.

      The innovation history of Mercedes-Benz traces back to the creation of the automobile itself. Throughout much of this time, innovation has been closely linked with classism. Typically, Mercedes showcases new technology first on its premium vehicles, which is then gradually integrated into more affordable models once the development costs have been recouped. However, the world’s oldest automaker is now entering a more inclusive era.

      Mercedes initially followed its usual strategy for the EQ series electric vehicles, debuting the EQS sedan before releasing additional models. Unfortunately, those vehicles did not perform well, prompting Mercedes to change its approach. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, which serves as the entry-level model in the U.S., will launch as an electric vehicle (with a hybrid option also available) and will set the technological benchmark for future models.

      Instead of targeting industrial magnates, the upcoming luxury-car buyers will be the first to experience Mercedes’ next-generation electric vehicle platform, which maximizes range from its battery capacity and enables quicker charging. The new CLA also features Mercedes’ latest infotainment system, integrating ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Based on a test drive in San Francisco, there’s much to look forward to.

      It excels in efficiency

      Mercedes’ previous electric vehicles emphasized maximizing battery capacity and reducing aerodynamic drag for adequate range, but the CLA adopts a more comprehensive approach to efficiency. Similar to NASA engineers focusing on conserving resources during Apollo 13, the development team viewed electricity as a limited commodity. “Every watt” had to be utilized efficiently, as Timo Stegmaier, senior manager of electric drive systems at Mercedes, explained to Digital Trends.

      To optimize energy usage, the CLA includes a two-speed transmission for its rear drive unit, a heat pump, compact braking components capable of delivering up to 200 kilowatts of regeneration, and a low drag coefficient of 0.21. This is slightly less than the 0.20 of the Mercedes EQS sedan but boasts a design that is less likely to attract criticism and requires fewer compromises in packaging.

      With an 85-kilowatt-hour battery, Mercedes estimates 374 miles of range for the single-motor CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and 312 miles for the dual-motor CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology. Priced at $48,500 for the single-motor variant and $51,050 for the dual-motor version, this offers a substantial range for the price. A reported efficiency of 3.6 miles per kWh in cool December weather in Northern California suggests that these mileage estimates are likely achievable in real-world conditions with little effort.

      The CLA also marks Mercedes’ adoption of an 800-volt electrical architecture, facilitating faster DC charging at up to 320 kilowatts. This allows a charge from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes, according to Mercedes. A North American Charging Standard (NACS) port comes standard, and reports from InsideEVs indicate that compatibility with Tesla Superchargers will be available at launch, thanks to a voltage booster that enables 400-volt chargers to function with the 800-volt CLA. AC charging peaks at 9.6 kW.

      It aims for grandeur

      The CLA is constructed on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), a fresh design that the automaker claims incorporates insights gained from its highly efficient Vision EQXX prototype. However, adapting the EQXX design into a production vehicle reflects the challenges of bringing a car to market. If the EQXX represents a sleek stiletto, the CLA resembles a cozy Ugg boot. Still, unlike the EQXX, the CLA accommodates usable rear seats.

      It is somewhat disappointing that Mercedes could not lower the battery pack's height, resulting in a notably broad midsection and an increase in height by 1.1 inches compared to the outgoing model. This isn’t ideal for a vehicle marketed as a “four-door coupe,” which should have a streamlined silhouette compared to a traditional sedan. This distinctive feature of the original CLA helped it outlast its less stylish A-Class counterpart in the U.S. market.

      To draw attention away from this, Mercedes equipped the CLA with a large grille embellished with 42 three-pointed stars, as subtlety seems to be overlooked. The headlights and taillights also include Mercedes-logo stars, albeit in slightly modified forms to comply with German advertising regulations. These regulations also mean that the home market will not feature the oversized illuminated grille logo found on U.S. models, much to our benefit.

      The doors open with the same pop-out handles found on the premium S-Class sedan. However, the similarities end there. The interior of the CLA clearly indicates its entry-level status, featuring lower-quality plastics and lackluster details. The door-mounted seat-adjustment controls resemble an inferior imitation of a signature Mercedes feature, and base models feature a manually-adjustable steering column.

      It performs like a true Mercedes

      Only the rear-wheel-drive CLA 250