With more star signs than an astrology convention and more screens than a sports bar, this is the latest from Mercedes-Benz. The all-new 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA is one of the brand’s smallest models, but it has just kicked off a whole new era in design, features, and function for the German luxury brand.
It will arrive with both gas and EV models. The EV could be the longest-range electric car in the U.S., or at least close to it.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Big on Style, Small on Size
The CLA is an interesting spot in the Benz lineup. It delivers style like the brand’s flagship coupes, but it’s actually the second-cheapest vehicle the company sells in the U.S.
Its big styling continues with the new model, which is sleeker and more elegant than ever before. In fact, this big styling will come to those flagship models in a few years. The CLA got it first.
Mercedes’ new design is mostly more elegant, at least. The roofline and tapered rear look wonderful. The nose, with an Audi A3-like underbite and 142 illuminated Mercedes-Benz star logos in the grille panel, is something else entirely.
The second-cheapest Benz now screams “Mercedes” like a loudspeaker. Benz calls it “a strong unique visual presence,” which is some first-class marketing understatement. The gas model will be a little different, but we have yet to see its design.
Like the grille, the head and taillights get star logo elements. In this case, they’re the running lights in the front and part of the taillights in the back. Expect to see this on every new Benz going forward as well.
Wall-to-Wall With AI-Powered Superscreen
The monster screen in the image is the optional Superscreen. This advancement of the old Hyperscreen idea combines a 10.25-inch driver dash display, 14-inch center screen, and 14-inch passenger display all into one giant glass bezel. If you don’t get the Superscreen, the passenger side is replaced with (you guessed it!) more stars.
New hardware behind it delivers quicker operation and a more advanced virtual assistant. It searches with Microsoft Bing, has Google Maps, and the passenger screen will let the passenger watch streaming video services like Disney+. It uses both Microsoft and Google AI, the first system to do so, says Benz.
Benz is launching the CLA in two electric versions: the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology. “With EQ Technology” is the new Benz code for EV, replacing the old EQC, EQB, etc.
492 Miles of Range for CLA 250+
The CLA 250+ will offer 268 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque driving the rear wheels. The car doesn’t have an EPA range estimate yet, but the WLTP estimate for Europe is an astonishing 492 miles. That’s more range than nearly every other vehicle tested on that cycle, from just 85 kWh of battery.
With dual-motor AWD, the CLA 350 version will make 349 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. It has the same battery, and the extra power and weight mean the range is cut to a still-astounding 479 miles. Both numbers will be lower in the U.S. but should easily top 400 miles.
A new battery has 20% better power density. It also reduces each cell’s carbon footprint by 30%. A two-speed transmission on the rear motor helps boost efficiency even higher.
The new CLA should even perform better in winter thanks to a heat pump that takes heat from the motor, the battery, and the air.
Later: 2026 CLA Gas Engine & Pricing
The gas cars will come later, probably around the end of the year or early 2026. They’ll be hybrid models with a 1.5L turbo-four and a 27-horsepower electric motor in the transmission. That motor will let it cruise around in town on electric power for short distances.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t said how much power the hybrid will make. Based on Benz’s existing models, though, somewhere around 250 horsepower seems likely, with higher figures for AMG models down the road.
Expect the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EVs at dealers later this year. Gas models will come later, and pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
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