Regardless of headwinds from the present administration, automakers proceed to launch well-equipped EVs with greater battery packs and more and more quicker charging speeds. For many who need to journey additional between plugging in, the long run continues to be shiny, simply barely tinted.
However there haven’t been many sedans beginning round or under $50,000, as crossover SUVs have largely taken up this territory. Now, Mercedes-Benz has launched its CLA compact sedan which ticks each field above for the 2026 and 2027 mannequin yr, and throws in nice inside facilities and enjoyable driving character for good measure.
The CLA with EQ Expertise (Mercedes’ time period for “EV”) relies on its newest MMA platform—the driving type, not the preventing type—and is available in two flavors: CLA250 Plus and CLA350 4Matic.
They each pack 85 kWh batteries, 800V structure, a most charging capability of 320 kW, and the power to go from 10-80 p.c cost in simply 22 minutes at that most fee. The 250 Plus makes use of only a rear motor for propulsion with an output of 268 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, which is able to shove its 4,553-pound stature to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.
The 350 4Matic makes use of a motor on every axle with a mixed output of 349 and 380, respectively, and its 4,729-pound heft will attain 60 mph in simply 4.8. The 250 Plus has an EPA-estimated vary of 374 miles, whereas the 350 4Matic travels 62 fewer. Costs begin at $48,500 and $51,850, respectively.
The newest CLA is classed as a compact sedan, but it surely’s amply spacious inside. I discovered the entrance passenger space in my 350 4Matic tester reasonably commodious for my six-foot-three stature, and actually dug its driving place; the telescoping steering wheel may very well be introduced in sports activities car-close, total visibility was nice, and the non-obligatory AMG Line sport seats had been amply comfy.
The rear passenger room was a hair extra restrictive however superb for average-build occupants. Mixed cargo room reaches 11.7 cubic toes, of which 1.4 is within the frunk—that’s proper, it’s fortunately not simply wiring and coolant hoses below there.
The CLA is the primary mannequin to get the most recent Mercedes-Benz Working System (MB.OS0). Notably, this makes over-the-air updates extra seamless, which the model says will come in useful for refining its driver-assistance system software program over time. Personalization additionally appears excessive on MB’s record of boasts as the most recent, sixth-generation MBUX software program—the gateway into the software program’s consumer interface, versus MB.OS0 being the software program basis for your complete car—provides the power to customise themes, inside lighting, and extra, with ease.
Although, getting essentially the most out of it isn’t doable with out the non-obligatory Pinnacle Line ($5,850) tacked on. This accounted for my tester’s deeply customizable inside lighting, wi-fi charging, a head-up show, Burmester 3D encompass sound, four-zone automated local weather management, amongst different niceties.
The non-obligatory Superscreen—three separate, huge screens housed collectively—that coated a lot of the sprint was simple to realize familiarity with. Figuring out what to faucet to rapidly change settings, music, and extra, had a studying curve, and the software program’s voice assistant crammed in any gaps effectively. Lag wasn’t a factor, both. Although finer changes like ambient lighting brightness had been a bit fiddly, and, at evening, the lit-up air vents obscured my view of the facet mirrors from my seating place.
Driving the Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4Matic EV
Sporting strong EV specs and 0.21 coefficient of drag, I used to be impressed by how simply the CLA may obtain over 300 miles on a single cost. My week was a superb mixture of metropolis and freeway driving, plus a weekend journey to the mountains above Southern California thrown in for good measure; 4,200 toes of elevation acquire and loss. Kicking off my getaway with 85 p.c cost, I nonetheless had an estimated 150 miles left—after masking 175 miles and averaging 0.225 kWh-per-mile.
Profiting from downhill regeneration and Mercedes’ MB DriveAssist (a $1,950 choice) undoubtedly helped. (Fast word: this wasn’t the model’s SAE Stage 2 autonomous MB DriveAssist Pro (a $3,950 choice), which, as of this writing, doesn’t appear to be available yet on the CLA.) The usual DriveAssist was simple to toggle and drove easily so long as I wasn’t behind somebody who couldn’t preserve a gentle velocity. Or faucet their brakes for seemingly no motive. With a lighter foot and fewer full-throttle on-ramp rips, touring over 325 miles on a cost would’ve undoubtedly been doable.
Not like some producers that bury regenerative braking in a sea of menus (BMW), the CLA’s is adjustable through paddle shifters and permits one-pedal driving. The center-of-the-road setting felt good, and essentially the most intense was, effectively, intense. However appreciated, particularly contemplating German producers have averted OPD up to now.
Lastly, the CLA350 had an total good experience high quality with assured turn-in, plus respectable grip and chassis management on twisty roads. I may really feel its heft over mid-corner bumps and particularly craggy blacktop, and floor clearance over bigger velocity bumps and driveways left a bit to be desired. However total, the typical each day commuter or roadtripper wouldn’t have many gripes. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Mercedes’ AMG division offers the diminutive Benz adaptive dampers, stiffer spring charges, and different chassis-tightening tweaks sometime.
Nice EV specs at a median value
Enjoyable reality: the typical new automotive transaction is just under $50,000. Contemplating the 2027 Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic and its slower 250+ sibling are proper round there, pack strong charging and vary specs, and the previous is each comfy and good to drive, it’s acquired quite a bit going for it.
Although, to get the complete latest-and-greatest MB expertise, it requires some lofty choices.
