For 2026, the CLA no longer falls under the “coupe” category in Mercedes’ nomenclature. Instead it takes on the role of a true sedan with a larger greenhouse and more voluminous cabin. The electric model (called “with EQ Technology”) comes in two variants: the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 250+ and the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) 350 4MATIC. The former produces 268 horsepower, while the latter makes 349 hp and will accelerate to 60 mph in under five seconds.
That dual-motor setup is rear-biased and delightfully swift. It helps the CLA 350 feel drastically more agile than any non-AMG CLA that’s come before it. Even in the single-motor 250+, the car feels lighter on its feet than the curb weight (4,553 pounds) would suggest. At lower speeds in the normal drive modes, the CLA’s steering feel lands on the lighter and numb side of the spectrum. Turn up the heat in the sporty drive modes, and things sharpen up noticeably while its steering heft increases.
The regenerative braking is smooth and predictable, tuned in such a way that it’s hard to tell when the physical disc brakes are actually engaged. Both CLA with EQ Technology models use a 2-speed automatic gearbox similar to Porsche’s Taycan, meaning you will feel a physical shift into second gear once you get up to highway speeds. Overall, we felt no anomalies or hiccups in power delivery aside from that sensation. Mercedes has done its homework to deliver this platform, making it feel like their most fully baked electric powertrain to date.
You can tune the levels of active safety in the CLA by opting for either Drive Assist or Drive Assist Pro packages. The former includes the company’s steering and lane change assist combo. The latter adds Stop Sign and Traffic Light Functionality, which gives the CLA more control in urban environments.
Range and Charging
The CLA 250+ serves as the entry point into the lineup. It features a single rear motor that produces 268 hp, 374 miles of EPA-rated range, and a zero to 60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The 350 4MATIC, the dual-motor AWD version, produces 349 hp and impresses with a 4.8-second zero to 60 mph time. It still manages to beat the magic 300-mile number, with an estimated 312 miles of range. Both cars are powered by an 800-volt architecture utilizing an 85-kWh lithium-ion battery. Both can handle up to 320 kW of power when DC fast-charging, and up to 9.6 kW when AC charging.
Mercedes provides the older J1772 port for slower Level 1 and 2 charging. A Tesla-style NACS port handles the 22-minute 10%-80% public charge duties.
