2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA: New-generation sedan priced for Australia, including EVs

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA will be available to order soon, with mild-hybrid variants available from $66,500 before on-road costs and electric power available from $72,200 before on-roads.

Mercedes-Benz says the new-generation CLA, available with a choice of 48V mild-hybrid or pure electric power for the first time, will be available to order in the coming weeks.

Customer deliveries of mild-hybrid variants will commence in June, with electric variants to follow in July.

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The base price has dropped from $73,200 before on-roads in the previous CLA200.

The CLA rides on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) with steel-sprung ‘comfort’ suspension incorporating newly developed three-link front and multi-link rear axles.

The new-generation small premium sedan has grown in size, with its wheelbase stretched by more than 60mm and overall length rising by 35mm.

Mild-hybrid versions use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.3kWh lithium-ion battery.

Power and torque vary across the mild-hybrid range, from the modest 100kW/200Nm outputs of the front-wheel drive CLA180 up to the 140kW/300Nm figures of the all-wheel drive CLA220.

For context, the previous CLA200 produced 120kW/270Nm from its 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, while the CLA250 4Matic used a larger 2.0-litre turbo-four with outputs of 165kW and 350Nm.

Mercedes-Benz says the new CLA’s mild-hybrid system provides torque assistance across the rev range, and can recuperate energy to improve efficiency.

The electric motor and inverter is integrated into a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

At urban speeds or when less than 20kW is needed, mild-hybrid CLAs can run on electric power exclusively.

The ‘CLA200 electric’ combines a 200kW electric motor with a two-speed transmission at the rear, and an 800V electrical system supporting DC fast-charging of the 85kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery at up to 320kW. A DC converter is standard so 400V chargers can be used.

The CLA350 4Matic adds an 80kW front electric motor for all-wheel drive. The electric motor will decouple under low load to optimise range.

All CLAs ride on 18-inch alloy wheels, apart from all-wheel drive variants which ride on 19s.

Electric variants are distinguished by a fully illuminated grille with 142 individual LED star elements, instead of an LED-framed chrome unit. The drag coefficient, regardless of powertrain, is a slippery 0.21Cd.

The CLA range comes standard with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the new-generation Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). There’s an AI-powered voice assistant integrating ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

A 14-inch passenger display is optional, allowing occupants to watch Netflix and Disney+.

Standard equipment on the CLA180 includes:

• Panoramic fixed glass roof
• Heated front seats
• Ambient lighting
• Wireless phone charger
• Surround-view camera
• Semi-autonomous parking assist

CLA200, CLA220 and CLA350 variants feature AMG styling elements inside and out, including sports seats, a sports steering wheel, and light carbon-grain aluminium interior trim – plus a “sporty engine sound”.

A premium package is a $1800 option on the CLA200 and CLA200 electric, on which you can also add high-gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass for $1200.

The premium package is a $2340 option on the CLA350 electric.

Included in the package are multi-beam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, a head-up display, Keyless-Go Package with hands-free access, illuminated side sills, and a 16-speaker 850W Burmester sound system. These features are standard on the CLA220.

Pricing

MORE: Explore the Mercedes-Benz CLA showroom