The CLA will come either with 268 or 349 horsepower.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Even as the sedan segment shrinks, Mercedes-Benz sees a future for passenger cars as it moves forward with an all-new luxury CLA-Class that is a major departure from its previous model.
For 2026, the baby Benz will be electric and in Canada, the entry-level version will be available in two trims: the CLA 250+ and the CLA 350 4MATIC, both with EQ Technology. Mercedes-Benz Canada will continue to sell the current 2025 gas-powered CLA alongside it next year. A mild hybrid will likely join the family later; Mercedes-Benz officials are currently tight-lipped about those details.
What sets this electric sedan apart from competitors such as the Lucid Air, BMW i4 and Genesis Electric G80, is the advanced technology. The CLA gets a new operating system called MB.OS, developed in-house and its latest, fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system.
It’s impressive and better than the last generation because it now integrates artificial intelligence from both Microsoft and Google. There’s a new MBUX Superscreen that spans pillar to pillar and uses high-performance chips and real-time graphics from the Unity Game Engine, known for its vivid and interactive video games.
The new MBUX Superscreen, which spans pillar to pillar, includes a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch centre screen and a 14-inch passenger display hidden behind a large glass surface.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The virtual assistant is also more sophisticated. It uses generative AI to answer everything from “What’s the temperature today?” to more complex questions such as explain “Where rainbows come from” in a way that kids can understand. It also uses ChatGPT-4o and Microsoft Bing to find the answers online quickly and easily. But it’s a bit creepy and invasive at times because it’s always in the background listening to in-car conversations. At one point during our drive it asked us to repeat our conversation even though we never used the trigger words, “Hey Mercedes.”
In the cabin, my tester’s floating MBUX supersized screen is the star of the show. It includes a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch centre screen and a 14-inch passenger display hidden behind a large glass surface. The graphics are crisp and sharp so they’re easy to read. At times, it can be distracting and busy when, for example, the turn signal engages and the side-view camera image with augmented reality arrows appear overlayed on the screen.
Tech wizards will love it, but others might find some commands unnecessarily complicated. For instance, there’s no traditional button for opening the charging port - that’s done using the centre screen. Even the trunk opens and closes by swiping the trunk icon on the screen. At least there are traditional buttons for adjusting the side-view mirrors, unlike some competitors such as Volvo or Tesla that bury the adjustments in the centre screen.
When it comes to power, the 200-kilowatt CLA 250+ electric drive unit has a single motor driving the rear wheels that produces 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The 260-kilowatt CLA 350 gets a dual motor all-wheel drive system with 349 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, which enables it to hit 100 kilometres an hour in 4.9 seconds versus 6.7 seconds in the 250+.
Both EVs are powered by lithium-ion batteries with 85-kilowatt-hours of usable energy. While the electric range has yet to be announced for the North American market, the driver cluster display on my tester showed a maximum range of 565 kilometres.
On the road, the CLA 350 is more engaging to drive than the 250+. It has more guts, owing to the extra power and is especially spirited in Sport mode. The ride and handling are smooth with no trace of wind or road noise in the cabin. The electric driving range is fairly accurate to the distance travelled. We started with 82-per-cent battery and 522 kilometres of range in the CL 350 and after driving more than 130 kilometres on country and highway roads, we had 60 per cent and 385 kilometres of range left.
On the outside, the CLA has grown in every dimension. It’s 29 millimetres taller, 35 millimetres longer and 25 millimetres wider than the last generation. The wheelbase has also increased by 61 millimetres, so there’s slightly more legroom in the front and extra headroom in the rear seats thanks to a taller roofline.
Compared to the last generation, the cargo area has shrunk by 55 litres. But a new front trunk adds 101 litres of space. The well of the trunk is also made of 70-per-cent recyclate, which is material diverted from waste during the manufacturing process. The floor covering also uses Econyl yarn made from 100-per-cent recycled material. Over all, the new CLA has reduced its carbon footprint by 40 per cent over the entire value chain compared to its gas-powered predecessor.
The 101-litre frunk makes up for some of the loss of space in the rear trunk.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with EQ Technology is made in Germany and will arrive in Canadian dealerships in the spring of 2026. Prices haven’t been announced, yet.
Tech specs
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with EQ Technology
- Price: To be announced
- Motor / battery: Single or dual motor / 85-kilowatt-hour
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): CLA 250+ - 268 / 247; CLA 350 4MATIC- 349/380
- Drive: rear or all-wheel drive
- Power consumption (NRCan ratings, Le per 100 kilometres) / charging capacity: To be announced / Fast DC charging (up to 320 kilowatts) on the CLA 250+ can be recharged up to 325 kilometres in 10 minutes. Level 2 AC charging: To be announced
- Curb weight (kilograms): CLA 250+ - 2,055; CLA 350 4MATIC - 2,135
- Range: 792 kilometres on the optimistic WLTP scale.
- Alternatives: Lucid Air, Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT, Porsche Taycan, BMW i4, Genesis Electric G80
Looks
It has sharp, sexy styling with a cool front end that replicates the look of a traditional gas-powered grille. The front panel is fully illuminated with a large three-pointed star in the centre surrounded by 142 smaller LED stars. Distinct, unexpected details include the Mercedes-Benz name engraved on top of the retractable door handles.
The grille replicates a gas-powered car and is fully illuminated with a large three-pointed star in the centre surrounded by 142 smaller LED stars.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Interior
There is no push-button start. Sit in the driver’s seat and the vehicle automatically comes to life. Touch the brake pedal and turn the steering wheel to engage Drive. A large superscreen is the main attraction, with crisp graphics that are easy to read. More space for front- and rear-seat passengers along with a one-piece fixed glass roof that makes it feel airy in the cabin.
Performance
The all-wheel-drive system is an attractive proposition in Canada, but the price will determine how well it sells. It has a whisper-quiet ride and comfortable road manners.
Technology
Numerous safety technology and driving aids including Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Steering Assist and Lane Change Assist, which lets the system change lanes on its own. The new AI-enhanced system enables regular over-the-air updates on all vehicle software including driving assistance systems, for the first time.
A view of the centre screen, which the driver can use to talk to a more sophisticated virtual assistant.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Cargo
There’s 405 litres of rear trunk space – down slightly compared to the last generation.
The verdict
The CLA-Class with EQ Technology is stylish, comfortable and ahead of the competition in terms of technology.
There is more headroom in the rear seats compared to the previous CLA thanks to a taller roofline.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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