Should you buy a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Yes. The Mercedes-Benz CLA we’ve been driving in 250+ form is an impressive new electric car, offering a 400-plus mile driving range, comfort, quietness, and advanced tech in a stylish and compact package. It delivers a driving experience that feels remarkably refined, which is quite a feat for an entry-level model. Its ride quality, high-efficiency powertrain, and strong real-world range make it a tempting choice for those wanting an EV with genuine premium feel.

There are some compromises to consider. Rear-seat space is tight for adults, the fixed glass roof can let in too much glare on sunny days, and the two-speed transmission can thump noticeably under hard acceleration. However, these issues don’t overshadow the car’s many strengths, especially if you mostly drive solo or with front passengers.

If you’re seeking a small premium EV that’s practical enough for daily use but still feels special, the CLA 250+ stands out as a highly attractive option in its segment. It’s efficient, refined, and carries the prestige of the three-pointed star, making it well worth considering.

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What’s new?

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At Mercedes-Benz, high-tech features usually trickle down from the S-Class luxury car to lesser models. The new Mercedes CLA turns that tradition on its head. The CLA250+ might be positioned as the company’s entry-level model, but it debuts technologies that will eventually appear on the three-pointed star’s flagship, including the new MBOS operating system, bigger and brighter screens, and a new brake control system.

Built on Mercedes’s new MMA vehicle architecture, which also underpins a CLA Shooting Brake estate, as well as the next-generation GLA and GLB compact SUVs, the CLA250+ is the first of two electric powered versions of the new CLA range that will be sold in Britain. And this is what we’ve been driving.

It will be joined in 2026 by the more powerful, dual-motor, all-wheel drive CLA350 4Matic. In time, Mercedes will also offer the new CLA with a 48V mild-hybrid powertrain powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. For now, it’s the longest range electric car in the UK with a WLTP tested driving range of 484 miles – seriously impressive.

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What’s it like inside?

The glass-surfaced structure that stretches right across the dash of the CLA250+ houses two 14.0-inch screens, one a configurable instrument display for the driver and the other a touchscreen above the centre console that handles the car’s infotainment system.

The crisply rendered and fast-responding displays are powered by the state-of-the-art high-performance chips and real-time game engine graphics used by MBOS, which also supports a wide range of driver assistance systems, including park assist.

That giant screen apart, the CLA250+ interior is relatively conventional in design and execution. The flying buttress centre console, now a common feature of many electric vehicle interiors, arches over a lower storage area that includes USB C ports to connect your devices. Clever use of materials and trim elements endow the cabin with an upscale ambience.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA boot space and practicality

While the relatively conventional exterior design of the CLA 250+ disguises the fact it’s an electric vehicle with a battery pack mounted under the floor, the interior packaging reveals the truth.

Accommodation for the front seat passengers is spacious, the standard power seats sliding well back. The rear seat, however, is tight, particularly as the front seats are effectively mounted on the floor, atop the battery pack, and there’s not much room to get your feet under them. The close relationship between the rear seat base and the floor also means rear passengers sit with their knees pushed up, with little under-thigh support.

The panoramic sunroof that is standard across the CLA range ensures adequate headroom for rear seat passengers. However, the roof does not have dimmable glass, or even a deployable cloth sunshade, so glare – directly from the sun, or reflected off shiny interior hardware – is a problem on sunny days.

We think load space is acceptable for a car of this type. The main boot has a capacity of 405 litres, and there’s a second area under the bonnet with a capacity of 101 litres.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA electric driving range and motors

At launch, the CLA is the driving range champion, outdriving even the firm’s flagship EQS. Even travelling briskly, with no special attempt at driving economically, the CLA250+ returned 4.2 miles/kWh on our test. Driven more gently, 4.8 miles/kWh is easily achievable. That suggests a real-world driving range of 350 to 410 miles.

True, that’s less than the claimed 484 to 461 miles (depending on trim level), but the official WLTP range figures, generated under laboratory conditions, are notoriously optimistic. Regardless, the electric Mercedes CLA is seriously impressive, and perfectly useable as a motorway cruiser.

A liquid-based thermal management system ensures the 85kWh battery stays at its optimal operating temperature, and that, combined with the 800V electrical architecture, means it can accept peak charge rates of up to 320kW. Mercedes claims that when the CLA250+ is connected to a suitable fast charger, up to 36kWh of energy can be put into the battery in just 10 minutes.

What it’s like to drive?

The CLA250+ is smooth and quiet to drive. But what really impresses is the quality of its ride, which is exceptionally serene, especially around town. On A- and B-roads the suppleness of the suspension remains, but well-controlled body motions mean the CLA250+ never feels sloppy, despite its 2,055kg kerbweight.

Mercedes claims the CLA250+ will accelerate 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 130mph. But hard acceleration will provoke a disconcerting pause-thump from the transmission as it goes into high gear. One the plus side, the two-speed gearbox means the CLA 250+ feels more relaxed at 80mph on the motorway than most electric vehicles, which typically use a single-speed transmission. Not only does the transmission help the car reach that impressive 130mph top speed, but it also improves efficiency.

The CLA 250+ can recoup up to 200kW while on the road, the new digital brake control system allowing regeneration to occur even under full ABS braking in icy conditions, the system’s software ensuring a confident, consistent pedal feel.

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Four levels of lift-off regeneration are available – D Auto, which lets the car’s software optimise the regen levels; D+, which allows the car to coast; D, which slows the CLA in much the same way as when lifting off the accelerator in an internal combustion engine vehicle; and D-, which allows one-pedal driving, and will even bring the Mercedes to a halt on an icy downhill.

What models and trims are available?

Three trim levels are available. The entry-level Sport Edition starts at £45,615. Next comes what is likely to be the best-seller, the AMG Line Edition, at £49,374. Top spec model is the AMG Line Premium Edition, which retails for £51,770.

Sport Edition comes with LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, electric front seats, and driver assistance features including park assist. The interior has quality trim and USB-C ports for a modern, premium feel. AMG Line Edition adds sportier styling inspired by AMG models, with larger alloy wheels, and sports seats. Inside, it gains extra visual touches to match its AMG branding.

AMG Line Premium Edition brings additional tech and comfort features. These include a premium audio system, ambient lighting, plush upholstery, and possibly the optional MBUX Superscreen for a more high-tech cabin experience.

On the next page you’ll find a recap of what we do and don’t like about the Mercedes-Benz CLAe as well as our detailed star ratings. And don’t forget, you can find out all about how we test cars on our dedicated explainer page. Here’s why you should trust us, too.