The latest Mercedes CLA has landed, and it’s had more than just a quick facelift. This new version still looks sharp and stylish, but there’s now a lot more going on under the surface—especially if you’re thinking about going electric.
If you’ve seen a CLA before, this one won’t be a total surprise. It’s still a low-slung four-door with a swoopy roofline that gives it a sporty edge. But look a bit closer and you’ll spot a few changes—like the new light bar across the front and back, and a sea of Mercedes logos hidden in the grille. Seriously, we counted over 140 of them.
It’s no longer based on the A-Class either, which means it’s built from the ground up to be more than just a stylish runabout.
Electric and Hybrid Options
The big news? You can now get the CLA as a fully electric car or a plug-in hybrid. Mercedes has built it on a brand-new platform that’s designed for both, so neither version feels like an afterthought.
If you go for the electric model, you’ll have a few choices:
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A long-range version with an 85kWh battery and up to 492 miles of range (that’s London to Glasgow and back).
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A cheaper version with a smaller 58kWh battery.
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Or a more powerful, all-wheel-drive model that can do 0-62mph in under 5 seconds.
What’s clever is that even the fast version doesn’t use loads more energy. That’s because the front motor can switch off when it’s not needed, helping you save power on long drives.
Efficient Enough to Beat a Tesla?
Mercedes says the CLA can manage up to 5.1 miles per kWh. To put that into perspective, that’s better than what we’ve seen from the latest Tesla Model 3 in real-world driving.
It’s not just the battery doing the work either. The CLA’s sleek shape, small mirrors, and fancy two-speed gearbox all help it slip through the air more efficiently. There’s even a heat pump to warm the cabin in winter without draining too much power.
And if you find a fast enough charger, a quick top-up from 10% to 80% could take as little as 10 minutes.
Inside: Big Screens and Bold Design
Inside, it’s all about the screens. There’s a wide digital panel that includes the driver display and a large touchscreen in the centre. If you’re feeling fancy, there’s even an optional screen for the front passenger.
The system runs on new software that uses AI to help with everything from voice commands to general questions—yes, like a built-in version of me.
Design-wise, it’s modern and a bit futuristic. There’s no traditional dashboard—just one large, upright panel, plus materials like real wood and metallic finishes to lift the whole cabin.
Anything to Watch Out For?
It’s early days, so we’ll need to wait for full UK pricing and final specs. And while those efficiency numbers look great on paper, real-world results can vary—especially if you're doing mostly motorway miles or using fast chargers a lot.
Also, if you’re not a fan of screen-heavy interiors, this might not be your thing. Physical buttons are few and far between.
The Bottom Line
The new CLA looks like it could be a strong all-rounder—especially the electric versions, which seem to offer serious range without compromising on style or tech.
