For its first wave of fully electric models on American shores, Mercedes-Benz started at the high end with the EQS. It delivers considerable power, technology, and luxury at a high price, on par with the company's most expensive gas-powered sedan, the S-Class. Now, for its second wave of electric vehicles (EVs), Mercedes is starting at the lower end of its lineup with the new CLA with EQ Technology, a small sedan with even greater range, better technology, and still good luxury at an attainable price.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The new CLA comes in both hybrid and electric flavors, and it is the latter we are focusing on here. Built around a newly designed battery pack, powered by more advanced motors, and running on a wholly new software platform focused on upgradability, the new CLA really is a generational shift for Mercedes-Benz.
The CLA with EQ Technology is available in two primary configurations, starting with the single-motor, rear-wheel drive 250+, which delivers 286 horsepower and up to 374 miles of range from an 85-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack. The 350 4Matic adds a second motor at the front, raising overall output to 349 hp but lowering maximum range to 312 miles. Trim levels are Standard, Exclusive, and Pinnacle, with base prices ranging from the high $40,000s to the mid-$50,000s, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 CLA review, I drove a single-motor, 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology equipped with the Pinnacle trim and the following significant options:
The test vehicle’s manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $65,630, including the $1,250 destination charge to ship the sedan from the Rastatt, Germany, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Mercedes-Benz manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The new CLA may not be the shapeliest car Mercedes-Benz has ever made, but it is certainly a big step up from the company's previous electric sedans, the aforementioned EQS and the smaller EQE. The CLA achieves a super slippery 0.21 drag coefficient despite having a far more compelling shape and style than its predecessors.
That said, some of the detailing may be a bit much for some, particularly the nose. It is festooned with 142 glittering stars, along with the giant logo at the center of the mock grille. The back is much more subtle. You can choose from numerous wheel designs, ranging from 17 to 19 inches, to either jazz up or play down the side view.
Things on the inside are more sedate, and substantially different from the current CLA. The dashboard is dominated by a single flat plane that includes a digital gauge cluster and a central touchscreen, plus an optional third touchscreen on the right for the passenger. It is positioned almost vertically, giving it a harsh appearance compared to the curvaceous exterior.
That is far and away my least favorite part of the interior. However, there is still plenty to like, including a selection of mostly good materials, especially the Beech Brown leather upholstery on my test car.
I particularly loved the Natural Fiber Zen inlays on the center console and doors. They are stark and stylish, and since they are made from recycled paper, they are sensible, too. As with most Mercedes, you can choose from plenty of other materials and colors to suit your mood and your budget.
Seating up front is comfortable, with ample headroom, but the tall center console and vertical dashboard do make you feel a bit boxed in. Headroom in the back is more limited but still passable for the car's size. Access to the rear requires a bit of ducking, but there is plenty of legroom once you are in.
Cargo space in the trunk is a modest 14.3 cubic feet, but there is another 2.5 cubic feet in a frunk that features dividers to keep your supplies in place.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The new CLA features Mercedes' latest version of its MBUX user interface, running on a new software platform called MB.OS. All the code running behind the scenes is new, but what you see on the central 14-inch touchscreen and the optional 14-inch passenger display will be familiar to anyone who has driven one of the company's other recent models.
The new MBUX is a bit cleaner and simpler to use, yet still comprehensive and customizable, with support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. It also includes built-in navigation.
That new software platform introduces a new aspect that some owners may find distasteful: the need to pay extra to unlock hardware already built into the car. An overhead 360-degree view, automated parking, and more features are available through premium over-the-air updates, even though the cameras and sensors are already installed.
MBUX also features a new, AI-powered digital assistant that is far more comprehensive than the voice assistants I have seen in previous Mercedes-Benz models. You can, of course, ask for simple things, like changing the cabin temperature or the SiriusXM station. You can now also ask for a detailed walkthrough of your favorite band’s history, get detailed weather forecasts, or just about anything else you can do through many modern AI agents.
In my testing, this system worked quite well, handling simple queries and even more comprehensive, extended conversations. However, I did manage to confuse it a few times. It told me it could speak more than 20 languages, for example, but when I asked which ones, it said it could speak only American English. I said I was hungry, and it gave me a list of local restaurants and offered to read me reviews. I said I needed a hospital, and it stopped responding.
There is work to be done, but this system is already a significant step up from the in-car AI experiences I have seen so far. Thanks to the operating system's updatability, it will only get better from here.
Photo: Tim Stevens
268 horsepower is not a lot to move a car that weighs over 4,500 pounds, as the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology does. Still, the car's excellent throttle response and instant torque make it feel far quicker off the line. It is only when you get up to highway speeds that it starts to feel a bit flat.
Still, it is fun enough to drive around town. The steering offers reasonably good feedback, and even body roll is kept to a minimum by the battery pack slung low in the floor. However, the CLA's suspension is tuned for extreme compliance.
That makes for a small car that is comfortable on broken asphalt and trolley tracks that litter San Francisco. It takes a moment to settle when crossing larger obstacles like speed bumps. It can sometimes feel floaty and disconnected, but I will take that over harsh ride quality.
On the highway, the CLA is quiet and smooth, with virtually no wind or road noise. All of this adds up to a stress free driving experience that you can enjoy for a long time. The CLA 250+ is officially rated for up to 374 miles, depending on the wheels you choose, and charges quickly at a maximum rate of 320 kilowatts (kW).
In my testing, which included climbing the Mount Tamalpais foothills and numerous acceleration tests, I achieved 3.9 miles per kWh. With the 85-kWh battery pack, that equates to a theoretical maximum range of 332 miles. Those who drive more conservatively will have no problem meeting, or even exceeding, that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Every 2026 CLA features an impressive suite of sensors facing in all directions, including ten cameras, five radars, and twelve ultrasonic receivers. They support a comprehensive set of active safety features, though you will have to pay extra to use them fully. Standard features include:
Customers can then opt to unlock additional features, such as:
In addition, Mercedes-Benz engineers are working on an even more advanced driver assistance system, MB.Drive Assist Pro, which will include advanced driver assistance on point-to-point routes, including cities and secondary roads, and will even automatically stop at traffic lights and similar locations. That service, though, will not be available until sometime in 2026.
For now, I was able to sample the car's active lane centering assistance system with automatic lane changes. The CLA did a great job of staying centered in its lane in most situations, but it sometimes got a bit confused when following exit lanes. Thankfully, it was easy to correct, not requiring a firm yank on the steering wheel like some systems.
The auto lane change works well even in heavy traffic, and the adaptive cruise control can repeatedly bring the car to a stop and then automatically resume. This made the CLA a treat as I inched my way through traffic, waiting to cross the Bay Bridge.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Acura Integra ranks highest in the Small Premium Car segment. The BMW 2 Series is the next-highest ranked model.
According to the JD Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, the BMW iX ranks highest in the Premium Battery Electric Vehicles segment. The BMW i4 and the Rivian R1S are the next-highest ranked models.
Other 2026 CLA competitors include the Audi A3.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology is a remarkably impressive little sedan. While there is room for improvement, particularly with that giant slab of a dashboard, its overall range, performance, and technology are hard to beat at its price point. It really does feel like a significant step forward for Mercedes-Benz's electric offerings and an EV well worth taking home.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to jdpower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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