This is our in-depth review of the 2026 Mercedes CLA petrol / MHEV. We're taking a look at Exterior, Interior and technology.
00:00 New Mercedes CLA petrol vs EQ
01:06 Multibeam Matrix LED test
01:47 Length, suspension
03:47 MHEV engine versions
05:59 NVH and AWD logic
07:53 Interior quality
10:55 Cockpit and interface
13:37 Driver POV
15:33 Rear seats petrol
17:46 Trunk / boot
19:06 Driving CLA 220 4Matic petrol
24:50 Performance and steering
27:28 Uphill acceleration
31:14 Petrol or Electric?
34:15 Price
Data & facts:
Mercedes CLA
Also comes as Shooting Brake in both versions (EV and ICE)
EV or 48V MHEV petrol (different front grill)
Optional matrix LED multibeam LED
Illuminated star LED front grill for EV version
Length 4,72 m 186“
17-19“ wheels
Steel suspension
6 cm longer wheelbase in comparison to predecessor and 3 cm higher roofline
EV
2 speed gearbox on rear axle, 2nd gear for power delivery and efficiency on the motorway
RWD or AWD, rear motor is the stronger one, front one can be decoupled
CLA 200 with EQ Technology 224 hp, 7.5 s acceleration (7,6 s Shooting Brake)
CLA 250+ with EQ Technology 272 hp, 6.7 s acceleration (6,8 s Shooting Brake)
CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology 354 hp, 4.9 s acceleration (5,0 s Shooting Brake)
Top speed 210 km/h 130 mph
Batteries
58 kWh LFP
85 kWh NMC
Small battery:
AC 11 kW, 200 kW DC peak
10-80 % SoC in 20 Min
Big battery:
AC 11 kW, DC charging 320 kW,
10-80 % SoC in 22 Min or 300 km 190 miles of range in 10 minutes
Recuperation up to 200 kW
Heat pump using residual waste from drivetrain, cabin and battery
100 l frunk
EV Claimed official range almost 800 km 500 miles, realistic in good conditions and max 110 km/h 600 km 370 miles
Cd value 0.21 (better than the Tesla Model 3) with 17“ wheels, worst 0.24 with AMG Line plus and biggest wheels
Petrol (with camshaft drive chain)
1,5 l 4-cyl
48V MHEV 1,3 kWh
8-spd-DCT
System outputs (including e-boost):
CLA 180: 156 hp FWD 8,8 s
CLA 200: 184 hp FWD 8,0 s
CLA 200: 184 hp AWD 7,9 s
CLA 220: 211 hp FWD 7,2 s
CLA 220: 211 hp AWD 7,1 s
New generation infotainment with google and microsoft AI, gemini for voice recognition chat gpt for web search
Googlemaps map data and route and charging calculation
Qualcomm chip
10“ instruments
14“ infotainment
Optional 14“ passenger screen
Glass roof standard, optional digital shade
Shooting Brake: with stars
Progressive base seat in fabric/artico, full artico leatherette or animal skin
Sport seat in full artico or microfibre/artico or animal skin
Trunk 405 l / 455 l Shooting Brake (up to 1290 l)
Legroom and trunk smaller than in the predecessor
Petrol version has bigger foot garages in the rear
Assist Pro for urban use, system approved in China and US
Prices:
MHEV petrol from 44.000 Euro (39.000 pounds), full spec 67.000 Euro
So 4.000 - 8.000 Euro cheaper than EV (will be different in high petrol taxing countries)
EQ / EV:
CLA 200 RWD 58 kWh 47.000 Euro (45.000 pounds)
CLA 250+ RWD 85 kWh 56.000 Euro / 46.000 pounds
CLA 350 AWD 85 kWh 60.400 Euro
Full spec 70.000 - 75.000 Euro
I DROVE the NEW Mercedes CLA Hybrid | First Impressions!
