Mercedes-Benz CLA

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is an entry-level luxury compact four-door coupé under the Mercedes-Benz marque. Making its global debut in 2013, it pioneered the premium compact four-door coupé segment. The all-new third-generation CLA is built on the MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform, offering diverse powertrain choices such as fully electric and 48V mild hybrid setups via an electric-first, ICE-compatible architecture. On 5 November 2025, the all-new all-electric long-wheelbase CLA (CLA L) was officially launched in China, followed by the gradual rollout of petrol and hybrid variants in 2026.

Design Language

The all-new CLA retains its iconic fastback coupé silhouette while undergoing a comprehensive styling overhaul. Up front, the EV variant features a closed-off grille embedded with 142 individually illuminated LED star motifs, paired with a full-width star-ring light bar. In profile, the sleek lines, fastback roofline, frameless doors, and flush door handles combine to deliver an athletic stance. At the rear, full-width taillight clusters mirror the front styling. Aerodynamic efficiency is exceptional, boasting a drag coefficient of just 0.21 Cd. In terms of dimensions, the China-spec long-wheelbase variant measures 4,763 mm long, 1,836 mm wide, and 1,471 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm; the imported standard-wheelbase version measures 4,692 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1,435 mm tall, with a 2,729 mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin showcases Mercedes-Benz's latest design philosophy, headlined by a triple-screen setup comprising a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen, and a 14-inch front passenger display (on higher trims). The air-conditioning vents adopt either a figure-8 or turbine-style design. The 2026 Shooting Brake gains new exterior colourways, including Lava Red and Peak Grey.

Powertrain and Performance

The all-new CLA is offered with three powertrain options: battery electric (BEV), 48V mild hybrid (MHEV), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The all-electric model runs on an 800V high-voltage electrical architecture with silicon carbide (SiC) inverters. The rear-wheel-drive single-motor CLA 300 L produces 200 kW (272 PS), paired with the world's first dedicated electric two-speed transmission engineered for optimal efficiency. Drawing power from an 89 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, it delivers a CLTC-rated range of up to 866 km. The entry-level CLA 260 L, introduced at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026, features a 165 kW (224 PS) motor and a 60 kWh battery pack, offering a CLTC range of 600 km with prices starting from RM229,000.

The mild hybrid/hybrid variants are powered by the M252 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine co-developed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely's powertrain division, under the Mercedes-Benz Family of Modular Engines (FAME) umbrella. The internal combustion engine alone delivers 188 PS. The CLA 220 hybrid pairs this with a 30 PS electric motor and a 48V system to produce a total system output of 208 PS and 380 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.1 seconds. The China-spec CLA 200 L delivers 163 PS, while the CLA 220 L outputs 190 PS, achieving top speeds of 230 km/h and 238 km/h, respectively. The pure petrol variant uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine; the high-performance AMG line-up comes in two output levels: the CLA 35 4MATIC produces 225 kW (400 Nm), whereas the range-topping CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ generates 310 kW (500 Nm), dispatching 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.

Chassis and Handling

Underpinned by the MMA modular platform, the CLA features front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup. Drivetrain options for petrol and hybrid models include front-wheel drive and 4MATIC on-demand all-wheel drive; the EV model employs a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive configuration, with dual-motor all-wheel drive available on flagship trims. It is equipped with electric power steering (EPS). The chassis setup strikes a fine balance between ride comfort and road feedback, retaining ample firmness to keep the driver engaged.

Cabin and Equipment

The cockpit runs on Mercedes-Benz's proprietary MB.OS operating system, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset with 5G connectivity, over-the-air (OTA) update capability, and an AI voice assistant. The infotainment system integrates an intelligent virtual assistant driven by the Doubao AI large language model. A 12.2-inch head-up display (HUD) is optional on higher variants. Audiophiles can specify a 16-speaker Burmester® 3D surround sound system. Cabin comforts include a 64-colour ambient lighting system, a panoramic glass roof, heated and massaging front seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The EV variant features a 101-litre front boot (frunk) alongside a 405-litre rear boot.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the active safety front, the CLA features an advanced navigation-assisted driving system co-developed by Mercedes-Benz and China's Momenta. Driven by an NVIDIA DRIVE Orin X chip (delivering 254 TOPS of computing power) and a suite of 27 sensors, it enables mapless, full-scenario semi-autonomous driving. Through OTA updates incorporating reinforcement learning models, system response when negotiating complex junctions or handling sudden cut-ins has improved by five to ten times. It currently provides nationwide urban and highway navigation pilot assistance across China. In terms of passive safety, the CLA EV comes standard with 11 airbags, including segment-rare front centre and front knee airbags.

Market Performance and Reception

The all-new CLA EV made its market entry in China in November 2025. While initial monthly sales hit 1,369 units, demand subsequently experienced sharp fluctuations, dipping to just 21 units in February 2026 before recovering slightly to 161 units in May. Market analysts attribute this to Mercedes-Benz's traditional brand premium model facing headwinds in China's competitive landscape. To reignite sales momentum, Mercedes-Benz rolled out the entry-level CLA 260 L in April 2026, bringing the starting price down to RM229,000. In contrast, the CLA EV has maintained steady European sales, averaging over 4,000 units monthly. In the China market, the 2026 CLA Shooting Brake is priced between RM309,200 and RM386,000, with AMG models commanding between RM454,700 and RM625,900. Serving as a cornerstone in Mercedes-Benz's electrification roadmap, the CLA sets a new technological benchmark in the compact executive segment with its MMA platform, 800V architecture, 866 km range, and MB.OS digital cockpit.