The entry-level Mercedes is all new for 2026, bringing substantial modifications beneath the acquainted pores and skin in comparison with its predecessor. The BMW 2 Gran Coupe competitor can be out there for the primary time as a pure EV. Alternatively, the cheaper variations characteristic a mild-hybrid setup primarily based round a small, turbocharged gasoline engine. Whereas diesels exterior the US additionally powered earlier generations, the swoopy sedan ditches the oil-burner.

As we have come to anticipate from a automotive that switches generations, the revamped CLA is greater. Mercedes has stretched the infant Benz’s physique by 1.3 inches to 185.9 inches, making it barely longer than a previous-generation C-Class. The not-so-compact luxurious sedan can be a full inch wider than the previous CLA, now at 73 inches. The engineers raised the automotive by 1.1 inches to 57.8 inches and elongated the wheelbase by 2.4 inches to 109.8 inches.

Photograph by: Mercedes-Benz

Though bigger than the mannequin it replaces, it’s barely extra cramped for rear passengers. Folks sitting within the again have much less legroom and elbow room however a bit extra headroom, regardless of the sloping roofline. Mercedes does not clarify why rear consolation has suffered a downgrade, however logic tells us it is on account of packaging compromises related to the launch of EV variations. It isn’t all unhealthy because the driver and entrance passenger do get a bit extra room than earlier than.

Cargo capability has additionally decreased by 1.9 cubic ft to 14.3 cubic ft. That is not a big loss should you get the electrical mannequin since Mercedes has fitted the zero-emission CLA with a entrance trunk. It’s truly the corporate’s first automobile in 90 years to supply a entrance baggage space. The brand new mannequin can maintain 2.5 cubic ft of cargo area underneath the hood.

Exterior styling is an evolution moderately than a revolution. Some could be tempted to say it’s a facelift moderately than a next-generation mannequin. Entrance and rear mild bars echo the design tendencies of the 2020s, and there are extra illuminated stars than we will rely. Mercedes made the profile smoother with flush door handles to echo among the greater Benz sedans. Regardless of the rakish roof, it’s nonetheless a sedan with a trunk as an alternative of a extra sensible tailgate. The smooth physique has a drag coefficient of solely 0.21 within the automotive’s most aerodynamic model.

Photograph by: Mercedes-Benz

Though it appears to be like acquainted on the surface, the cabin has been revamped. An upright dashboard hosts as much as three screens surrounded by a sea of shiny black plastic. The instrument cluster measures 10.25 inches and sits subsequent to a 14-inch infotainment display, each provided as customary throughout the vary. The brand new CLA may be configured with a 14-inch passenger display at a further value.

Dubbed MBUX Superscreen, the triple-display setup options a big glass floor, mimicking the costlier fashions with their screen-heavy dashboards. Clients can spend further on a head-up show exhibiting a 12.2-inch picture within the driver’s line of sight. The lengthy listing of choices additionally features a Burmester sound system with 16 audio system all through the cabin.

The turbine-style aspect air vents are paying homage to the earlier technology, however a moderately basic-looking flat vent has changed the triple round middle vents. We’ve additionally seen that the separate local weather controls have been deleted, so that you’ll have to make use of the touchscreen to regulate the temperature and different settings. On the flip aspect, the “floating” middle console presents cupholders and a wi-fi charging pad above, together with a good cargo space beneath.

Photograph by: Mercedes-Benz

Photograph by: Mercedes-Benz

A brand new multi-link rear suspension derived from the bigger and fancier fashions is claimed to enhance experience high quality. That’ll additionally rely on the scale of the wheels, which fluctuate from 17 to 19 inches. Elsewhere, the panoramic sunroof is customary. It does not have a curler blind as a result of Mercedes mentions it does not want one because it makes use of heat-insulating laminated glass with an ultra-thin infrared movie to dam radiation and scale back glare.

As for energy, the bottom CLA encompasses a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that runs on the Miller cycle and works with an eight-speed, dual-clutch automated transmission. The transversally mounted “M252” will get an all-aluminum crankcase and 48-volt know-how with an electrical motor constructed into that DCT. Mercedes says the 1.5-liter unit can be provided in two outputs with out revealing energy numbers and with a alternative between front- and all-wheel drive.

If you happen to’re keen to go electrical, there are two fashions to select from: CLA 250+ with EQ Know-how and CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Know-how. The previous has a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup with 268 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The latter adopts a beefier dual-motor, all-wheel-drive format with 349 hp and 380 lb-ft. Each characteristic a rear-mounted two-speed transmission, the place the primary is tailor-made for metropolis use whereas the second is for freeway driving.

Photograph by: Mercedes-Benz

Photograph by: Mercedes-Benz

Follow the bottom electrical CLA, and it’ll do 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. Its beefier counterpart does the job in 4.8 seconds. Each are electronically ruled at 130 mph (210 km/h). It is value noting that the 4Matic mannequin will function in all-wheel-drive mode solely when further energy and traction are required. The entrance motor can be decoupled within the different situations for larger effectivity.

If you happen to’re questioning how a lot it weighs, the dual-motor mannequin ideas the scales at a whopping 4,707 kilos (2,135 kilograms) in European specification. Such is life with electrical vehicles. The gasoline mannequin ought to be considerably lighter with out the chunky battery pack. Talking of which, the EVs share a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack with a usable capability of 85 kWh.

Mercedes claims a most vary within the WLTP cycle of 492 miles (792 kilometers) for the RWD mannequin and as much as 479 miles (771 kilometers) for its AWD counterpart. Since 800-volt tech is on board, DC quick charging at a formidable 325 kW is supported. In a super state of affairs, you’ll be able to add 202 miles (325 kilometers) of vary after solely 10 minutes at a DC charging station.

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Close to the top of the 12 months, Mercedes intends to roll out a unique taste of the electrical CLA geared up with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery with a usable power content material of 58 kWh.

An A-Class Sedan gained’t be a part of the brand new CLA. Mercedes is slimming down its small automotive choices however continues to be giving wagon-loving Europeans a CLA Taking pictures Brake. Moreover, the GLA and GLB crossovers are getting next-generation fashions. We’re anticipating all 4 to spawn totally electrical derivatives. It hasn’t been introduced but, however the incoming “Little G” will doubtless be mechanically associated to those compact automobiles.

Mercedes can have the electrical CLA at sellers in the US later this 12 months, with the mild-hybrid gasoline mannequin to observe.