The third-generation, 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA comes to market later this year as a battery electric vehicle, but a hybrid version follows close behind.

Mercedes-Benz recently revealed the third-generation, 2026 CLA sedan. It arrives later this year. And it starts as a battery electric vehicle. But Mercedes promises a hybrid version of the CLA to soon follow. This new CLA also marks the first of a new family of Mercedes-Benz vehicles that will offer both hybrid and EVs options. This is going to get interesting.

To start, this is not an “EQCLA,” like the EQE I reviewed a while ago. Rather, Mercedes calls it the CLA with EQ technology. And that means, I presume, that this new family of Mercedes vehicles will meld the ICE and EV versions together, eventually dropping the EQ moniker from the line-up. In other words, soon enough all models will eventually use electric propulsion.

ROCKING A NEW BOD

It definitely carries EQ vibes, however, with a minimalist grille, and a lot of advanced tech and LED lighting on both the front and rear ends. In fact, you get full width light bars going across both the head and taillights. It also resembles the aforementioned EQE’s swoopy shape, teardrop-esque shape.

Moreover, the new body cuts through the air quite efficiently with just a 0.21 coefficient of drag (Cd). That’s much lower than a typical sedan, which is usual closer to 0.3 Cd. In addition to paying very close attention to exposed connecting points, screws, etc. Mercedes credits new wheel designs—and tricks to improve flow air around them—to really help bring the number down. And lowering Cd plays a big role in energy efficiency.

TECHY INTERIOR

Inside, Mercedes floods the CLA with natural light, courtesy of a standard, panoramic fixed glass roof.

It then floods the front with screens, up to three across the dash. A 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.0-in center display, and another 14.0-in passenger display, all three behind one piece of glass.

Doing the work behind the screens is a fourth-generation MB user experience or MBUX that itself incorporates both Microsoft and Google technology to work. Mercedes says it functions more like a smartphone, as simple swipes navigate the center screen.

Given the Google tie in, you, of course, get Google Maps. But also, AI assisted voice assistant to help with a myriad of things. The same system will, apparently, even change the ambient lighting, based on your mood. And the passenger screen adds the ability to stream movies.

More fundamentally, Mercedes says the CLA comes standard with a single-zone climate control system and heated front seats.

ELECTRIC POWER

Two versions of the CLA will arrive at launch. The CLA 250+ and the CLA 350 4Matic. Both use a new M-B operating system (aptly named Mercedes-Benz Operating System or MB.OS) that runs everything. It also accepts over-the-air updates for everything, including improvements to the various driving aids.

The base, 250+ is a rear-wheel-drive EV with an electric motor mounted on the rear axle that makes 268 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft of torque. The 350 4Matic adds an electric motor on the front axle, which makes 107 HP on its own. The 4Matic’s entire powertrain offers 349 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft of torque.

Both the 250 and 350 also use a two-speed transmission mounted on rear electric motor. First gear has a 11:1 ratio, second gear is 5:1. Mercedes says using it allows great acceleration and more efficient running at speed. Indeed, the CLA 250+ will reach 60 mph from rest in 6.6 seconds and the 350 4Matic in 4.8 seconds. And both cars will easily reach a governed 130 mph top speed.

BATTERY AND RANGE

Both versions draw power from an 85 kWh, lithium-ion battery pack. That sounds fairly standard, but Mercedes says new technology reduces the need for Cobalt and lowers the overall carbon footprint.

It’s also an 800-volt system, which, among other things, speeds up charge times. The new CLA will charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 22 minutes on a DC fast charger. It accepts up to 320 kW. If you charge for just 10 minutes, Mercedes says you’ll gain up to 202 miles of range. Bear in mind, that is based on the more range generous European WLTP cycle.

To that end, if you start with a full charge, the same cycle says the CLA will travel as far as 492 miles. I bet the EPA puts that closer to 375 miles. But that’s still impressive.

Part of the efficiency comes from a standard heat pump, which extracts heat from the electric motors, the batteries, and even ambient air temps to reduce energy needed to warm that cabin. This takes one-third the energy as a standard cabin heating element, according to Mercedes. Finally, if you have charge to spare, you’ll also be able to use the CLA to power other things.

GO HYBRID INSTEAD

Mercedes will also offer a hybrid version of the CLA. It will use a 48-volt system, a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor built in to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 1.3 kWh battery pack.

Details are slim on the hybrid, but Mercedes did say we will see both front- and all-wheel-drive versions of it. And that the engine is part of a new family, built to co-exist with hybrid tech. In other words, most any new Mercedes-Benz will include electric help, or electric only power.

UNDERPINNING THE NEW CLA

Chassis wise, you will get a fairly standard front strut suspension and multilink rear. Though Mercedes claims that these are new, better versions of these geometries. And, depending on powertrain and trim choices, you will roll on between 17- to 19-inch alloy wheels.

Dimensionally, the third generation is bigger than the second. It goes like this: 185.9-in long (1.3-in longer), 73.0-in wide (1.0-in wider), 57.8-in tall, (1.1-in taller), with a 109.8-in wheelbase (2.4-in longer). While bigger than before, Mercedes says the newest CLA’s carbon footprint drops by 40 percent. That’s a huge decrease.

SUMMARY

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz showcases that we still live in the early years of electric vehicles. And that means we get to discover big improvements at a fast clip. Long gone are the days of 100-150 mile driving ranges.

Frankly, Mercedes released several exciting numbers on the CLA spec sheet. Just as Volvo did with its new ES90 sedan a couple weeks prior. But, they ultimately mean nothing if the CLA is not enjoyable to drive.

Again, the numbers look exciting. I will definitely stay on top of this, share as I learn more, and put together a review as soon as I get the chance.