Next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA to go EV first, hybrid second

The automaker’s smallest sedan will be available with rear-wheel drive for the first time, along with optional all-wheel drive.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA front — *The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA will be available in electric and hybrid versions. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was planning to make the next-generation CLA available in all-electric and hybrid versions.

Now that the latest version of the automaker’s smallest sedan has been official revealed, we can take a look at what’s under the hood, or floor boards in the case of the EV model.

Canadian market details haven’t been announced yet.

Globally, Mercedes-Benz plans to release the EV versions of the 2026 CLA first, and the hybrid models second.

The current gas-burning CLA features a front-wheel-drive layout with all-wheel drive available, but the new car will share something with its more expensive Mercedes-Benz siblings: rear-wheel drive.

The plan is for the EV versions of the CLA to be rear-wheel drive with available 4MATIC all-wheel drive, while the hybrid versions will remain front-wheel drive with available 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Now, let’s get to the powertrain goods, starting with the EV models.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA frunk — *Without an engine under the hood, CLA EV drivers can place their belongings in the frunk. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

CLA 250+ and CLA 350

There will be two electric powertrain options, both riding on an 800-volt electric architecture, which allows for fast DC charging.

The entry level version is the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology. This rear-wheel-drive model features an electric motor with 200 kW (268 hp). Based on European WLTP testing standards, driving range is up to 792 kilometres. Our NRCan standards are generally tougher so expect that number to be lower when the vehicle arrives in Canada.

The CLA 250+ is said to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and the top speed is 210 km/h.

Then there’s the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology model, which is positioned as the performance version of this small car. This one features all-wheel drive and has 260 kW (348 hp) of power. By WLTP standards, driving range is up to 771 kilometres.

The CLA 350 4MATIC is said to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and the top speed is 210 km/h.

To improve efficiency, the CLA 350’s front motor is decoupled under low load to reduce front axle losses by up to 90 per cent, thereby increasing range.

The CLA also features a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, which helps improve efficiency. The first gear is meant for fast acceleration, high towing capacity and greater efficiency in urban traffic, while the second gear is intended for higher efficiency at highway speeds.

The cars ride with a battery capacity of 85 kWh, with 20 per cent greater density than the company’s previous batteries and a 30 per cent lower carbon footprint.

The CLA also features an air-to-air heat pump, a first for Mercedes-Benz, for battery pre-conditioning (which improves range in cold weather). This style of heat pump uses about one-third of the electrical energy of a comparable auxiliary heat pump, the company said.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA engine — *The hybrid versions of the CLA are powered by a new 1.5-litre gasoline-burning engine. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Hybrid CLA

The gas-burning 48-volt hybrid models will be available in three powertrain versions.

On these versions, an electric motor is integrated into the transmission and customers will have choices of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The car will be powered by a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder gas engine. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz said the electric motor, inverter and eight-speed dual-clutch transmission are a highly integrated unit with the electric motor providing intelligent support across the entire speed range. Electric power is provided from a 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery.

At urban speeds, when less than 20 kW is needed, these cars can drive on electric power alone and electric cruising is possible at speeds of around 100 km/h.

The car can also recuperate energy in all eight gears.

Mercedes-Benz didn’t provide power figures for the hybrid models.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA interior front — *A new “superscreen” runs on the fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Luxury and comfort

The coupe-style sedan is growing slightly over the current model to a length of 4,723 mm compared to the current car’s 4,688 mm.

Width, height and wheelbase are also increasing slightly.

This allows the car to gain slightly more driver and front passenger leg room and more headroom for all occupants.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA rear — *The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the automaker’s entry level sedan. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

The car is also debuting the in-house developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), making it what Mercedes-Benz says is the most intelligent vehicle it has made.

The new OS also launches the fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system with integrated artificial intelligence from Microsoft and Google.

The AI-enhanced MB.OS allows the car to connect to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, which allows for over-the-air updates, driving assistance systems and keep the OS up to date.

An MBUX “superscreen” runs on the Unity Game Engine and it can be tailored to individual preferences.

“The advanced technology in the all-new CLA takes us a big step closer to our vision of the hyper-personalised user experience. We are taking mobility to a whole new level. Thanks to our very own Mercedes-Benz Operating System MB.OS, it is without doubt, the cleverest car we have ever made,” said Mercedes-Benz Group chief technology officer Markus Schäfer in a news release.