2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ The New Benchmark

At first glance you’d think Mercedes-Benz had simply given the old CLA a fresh suit of sheet metal. In reality, the new (and laboriously-named) CLA 250+ with EQ Technology drags Stuttgart’s small-car range into the sharp end of the electric age. Beneath that coupé-ish silhouette lies a brand-new platform, brand-new software and a rethink of how a compact saloon should feel.
 

It’s quiet, clean and unflappably confident – the first model on Mercedes’ Modular Mercedes Architecture (MMA), bringing with it 800-volt electrics, a two-speed transmission and more driving range than any rival can manage.
 
Should you buy a Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+? If you want an electric four-door that mixes long legs with S-Class-rivalling calm, it’s the most convincing compact Merc in years. Find out how we test cars to see why you can trust us.
 
At a glance
Pros: Impressive real-world driving range, ultra-refined at speed, cabin tech worthy of an S-Class
Cons: cramped rear quarters, conservative styling, fixed panoramic roof lets in glare
 
What’s new?
Pretty much everything. The CLA 250+ is the first Mercedes built on the flexible Modular Mercedes Architecture (MMA), a clean-sheet platform that will also underpin the next GLA and GLB. It’s been engineered from day one to accept both pure-electric and advanced hybrid powertrains, with unique front and rear structures to meet differing crash requirements. The result is a compact saloon that feels designed around electricity, not adapted to it – low-slung, aerodynamically honed and quietly confident.
 
Power comes from a rear-mounted 268bhp motor drawing energy from an 85kWh battery pack, both developed entirely in-house. The 800-volt electrical system allows charging at up to 320kW – enough to add more than 200 miles of range in around 10 minutes. It’s an efficient setup, aided by lightweight components, silicon-carbide electronics and a drag coefficient of 0.214.
 
The CLA 250+ is the first of two electric variants confirmed for Britain. A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4Matic will follow in 2026, bringing more performance and traction. Mercedes will also offer a 48-volt mild-hybrid version using its new 1.5-litre M252 four-cylinder Miller-cycle engine, expanding the range beyond full EVs later that year.
 
Inside, the revolution continues. The CLA 250+ showcases MB.OS, Mercedes’ new cloud-connected operating system and the most advanced version of MBUX yet. Two 14.0-inch landscape-format displays span the dashboard, powered by high-performance chips and rendered using the Unity game engine.
 
What are the specs?
Output is a modest-sounding 268bhp and 247lb ft, yet the CLA’s 0-62mph time is 6.7 seconds with a maximum speed of 130mph. The two-speed gearbox keeps revs low on the motorway and boosts efficiency; combined with clever thermal management, Mercedes states up to 484 miles WLTP in Sport Edition trim.
 
The 85kWh pack accepts up to 320kW DC charging and can top up from 10-to-80% in roughly 15 minutes. The system’s regenerative braking can harvest as much as 200kW, with four selectable levels from full one-pedal to near-coasting.
 
A caveat for early UK CLA 250+ owners: the car as supplied doesn’t include a DC-DC converter for 400V rapid charging, so many of the UK’s faster public chargers (still operating at 400V) are off-limits. That makes route planning more constrained if you choose not to use the in-built sat-nav system. Mercedes has committed to including the converter in models ordered from spring 2026, but there is no retrofit route for existing cars.
 
Suspension is by multi-link rear and adaptive dampers, the 46:54 weight split giving the CLA balance absent from front-drive rivals.
 

How does it drive?
The performance figures suggest calm rather than chaos, and so it proves as the CLA 250+ turns restraint into its greatest strength. This is an EV that flows. The rear-drive layout and near-even weight distribution give it balance, but it’s the pliant, beautifully progressive damping that defines the car on the move. It takes the sting out of broken B-roads without feeling floaty, and it stays composed even over sharp crests and mid-corner lumps.
 
Refinement is outstanding – at a motorway canter the CLA 250+ is supremely quiet, with no whine, no tyre roar, just a gentle hush that would flatter far more expensive cars. The two-speed transmission shifts imperceptibly, keeping the motor in its sweet spot and the cabin serene.
 
Throttle and brake response are a revelation. The smooth accelerator mapping makes low-speed manoeuvres precise and natural allowing it to come to the gentlest of halts, while the seamless brake blending avoids the head-nodding jerkiness that afflicts some rivals. Regeneration feels consistent across its settings, and the car always feels confident underfoot.
 
Acceleration is punchy rather than ballistic – a solid shove rather than a slingshot – but it’s exactly what suits the CLA’s character: measured, mature and quietly rapid when you want it to be. There’s an AMG on the way if you’re looking for more. The steering is accurate if a little light, and the chassis never feels flustered.
 
The result is an EV that trades theatre for grace. It’s fast enough, refined beyond expectation and rides with the polish of something far more expensive.
 

What about the interior?
Inside, the calm continues. The CLA 250+ feels every inch a modern Mercedes – clean, solid and beautifully lit. The front seats are supportive in all the right places, the driving position spot-on, and the panoramic roof lends a welcome sense of airiness that softens the dark cabin materials. Space in the back remains snug, but it’s not oppressive: the roofline dips, yet footroom isn’t pinched and visibility is still reasonable.
 
The headline act is the MBUX twin-screen setup. It’s a huge step forward – fast, crisp and logically laid out. Voice control is arguably class-leading, understanding natural speech without shouting or repetition, while the AI assistant handles everything from ‘what’s the weather in Lancaster?’ to ‘set temperature to 18.5 degrees.’ Responses are quick, accurate and delivered with crisp authority.
 
The graphics are lovely, the animations smooth, and the sheer usability means you’re rarely tempted to default to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. For once, Mercedes’ own system feels like the smarter, more elegant option.
 
The AI assistant learns habits and can adjust climate, lighting and even driving modes proactively. It’s all beautifully presented and, crucially, simple to use – proof that Mercedes has built an infotainment system you’ll want to use instead of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
 
Practicality remains decent for a coupé-shaped saloon, with 405 litres of boot space and a useful 101-litre luggage area up front. Material quality and ambient lighting round out the impression of a car that’s premium without pretence – quietly confident, like the way it drives.
 
Before you buy
Three trims make up the UK line-up, each using the same drivetrain. Even the entry-level Sport Edition is generously equipped, with 18-inch alloys, heated seats, climate control, LED headlights and full smartphone integration. It also includes the panoramic glass roof, Guard 360 degree vehicle protection and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems, including Lane Keep, Blind Spot and Brake Assist.
 
The mid-range AMG Line Edition sharpens the looks and ambience, adding AMG body styling, flush-fitting handles with Keyless-Go, ambient lighting, a Nappa leather steering wheel and wireless phone charging. It’s the most balanced choice in the range – luxurious enough to feel special, yet still comfortable on British roads.
 
At the top sits the AMG Line Premium Edition. It swaps to 19-inch alloys, gains adaptive LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, and adds the Night Package for extra visual drama. It looks sensational but rides more firmly than the lower trims – a small trade-off for the full visual impact.
 
So, your choice really comes down to aesthetics and equipment. Rivals include the BMW i4 eDrive40, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3 Long Range and BYD Seal – all strong, but few offer the Mercedes’ combination of calm refinement, long-legged efficiency and genuine luxury feel.
 
Verdict
The CLA 250+ is the electric Mercedes we’ve been waiting for – the first that feels both desirable and genuinely usable. With real-world range of 350-400 miles, it rewrites what’s possible for everyday drivers at this price point, offering genuine long-distance ability without anxiety or compromise. It’s brisk, beautifully composed and so refined at speed that it feels born for motorways.
 
It also happens to be the best in class. The CLA’s balance of refinement, range and design leaves the Tesla Model 3 looking one-dimensional. Where the Tesla still trades on speed and screen size, the Mercedes brings calm confidence, superior build quality and genuine maturity in the way it moves and feels.
 
That same depth of thinking extends inside, where Mercedes has finally cracked the code. The new infotainment is fast, fluent and genuinely human in its responses – voice control that actually works, graphics that look alive, and an AI assistant smart enough to anticipate what you want before you ask. Small flaws are there – a snug rear seat, some glare from the glass roof for passengers – but the CLA 250+ stands as a complete, convincing car: quiet, elegant and years ahead of its rivals.