

Max Davies
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA review
55 Seconds Ago
Mercedes-Benz has a new sedan in Australia, packing hybrid and electric power at lower prices than before.

Marketplace Journalist


Marketplace Journalist
The new-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA has landed in Australia, with orders now open for the German brand's all-new mild-hybrid and electric sedan.
Priced from $66,500 before on-road costs, the third-generation CLA introduces an all-electric powertrain to the nameplate for the first time, enabled by the shift to the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). It shares this with the new-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Deliveries of 48V mild-hybrid CLAs will begin in June, with electric versions to follow in July – the latter priced from $72,200 before on-roads. That's cheaper than the entry point for the previous-gen CLA, which was $73,200 before on-roads for the petrol-powered CLA200.
The CLA features steel-sprung 'comfort' suspension incorporating newly developed three-link front and multi-link rear axles. The sedan has also grown, with its wheelbase stretched by 61mm and its overall length rising by 43mm.
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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 as low as 100kW/200Nm in the CLA180 to as much as 140kW/300Nm in the all-wheel drive CLA220.
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 are integrated into a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
At urban speeds or when less than 22kW is needed, mild-hybrid CLAs can run exclusively on electric power.
The ‘CLA200 electric’, meanwhile, combines a 120kW electric motor with a two-speed transmission at the rear and supports DC fast charging of its 58kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery at up to 200kW.

A standard DC converter enables the use of 400V chargers, and the WLTP driving range is quoted at 470km.
The CLA350 4Matic adds an 80kW front electric motor for all-wheel drive. The electric motor can decouple under low load to optimise range, and it's powered by an 85kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery for a maximum range claim of 663km. The maximum DC fast-charging speed is 320kW.
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 also an AI-powered voice assistant integrating ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
A 14-inch passenger display is optional, allowing occupants to watch Netflix and Disney+, and forming the complete 'MBUX Superscreen'.

Model | Price before on-roads |
|---|---|
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA180 | $66,500 |
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA200 | $68,100 |
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA200 electric | $72,200 |
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA220 4Matic | $84,300 |
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4Matic electric | $91,300 |

Specifications | CLA180 | CLA200 | CLA220 4Matic | CLA200 electric | CLA350 4Matic electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Engine/Drivetrain | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol 48V MHEV | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol 48V MHEV | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol 48V MHEV | Single-motor electric | Dual-motor electric |
Battery | 1.3kWh li-ion | 1.3kWh li-ion | 1.3kWh li-ion | 58kWh LFP | 85kWh NMC |
Engine outputs | 100kW / 200Nm | 120kW / 250Nm | 140kW / 300Nm | – | – |
Peak system outputs | – | – | – | 165kW / 335Nm | 260kW / 515Nm |
Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch auto | 8-speed dual-clutch auto | 8-speed dual-clutch auto | 2-speed | 2-speed |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
Tare mass | 1622kg | 1658kg | 1718kg | 2045kg | 2135kg |
0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.8s | 8.0s | 7.1s | 7.5s | 4.9s |
Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.4L/100km | 5.4L/100km | 5.8L/100km | – | – |
Fuel tank capacity | 43L | 43L | 51L | – | – |
Fuel requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded | 95-octane premium unleaded | 95-octane premium unleaded | – | – |
CO2 emissions | 122g/km | 122g/km | 131g/km | – | – |
Energy consumption (claimed) | – | – | – | 14.4kWh/100km | 14.9kWh/100km |
Claimed range (WLTP) | – | – | – | 470km | 663km |
Max. AC charge rate | – | – | – | 11kW | 11kW |
Max. DC charge rate | – | – | – | 200kW | 320kW |
Unbraked towing capacity | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg |
Braked towing capacity | 1600kg | 1800kg | 2000kg | 1500kg | 1800kg |
Emissions standard | Euro 6 | Euro 6 | Euro 6 | – | – |


Dimensions | Mercedes-Benz CLA |
|---|---|
Length | 4723mm |
Width | 1855mm |
Height | 1463mm (mild-hybrid) 1468mm (electric) |
Wheelbase | 2790mm |
Cargo capacity | 405L 101L (under-bonnet storage, electric only) |
Mercedes-Benz Australia backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing for all CLA models is required every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first.

Servicing and Warranty | Mercedes-Benz CLA | Mercedes-Benz CLA electric |
|---|---|---|
Vehicle warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
High-voltage battery warranty | – | 8 years, 160,000km |
Roadside assistance | 5 years | 5 years |
Service intervals | 12 months or 25,000km | 12 months or 25,000km |
Capped-price servicing | Prepaid service plans | Prepaid service plans |
Service costs | $3425 (3 years) | $2455 (3 years) |
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA has yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP and is therefore unrated. It did, however, earn a full five-star safety rating in testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2025.

Category | Mercedes-Benz CLA (Euro NCAP) |
|---|---|
Adult occupant protection | 94 per cent |
Child occupant protection | 89 per cent |
Vulnerable road user protection | 93 per cent |
Safety assist | 85 per cent |
Standard safety equipment highlights:
There are four grades of the new CLA available in Australia.




2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA180 equipment highlights:
CLA200 adds:
CLA220 4Matic adds:
CLA350 4Matic adds:
A handful of options are available for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Premium Package ($1800 CLA200, $2340 CLA350) adds:
The Premium Package is standard on the CLA220.

Additionally, the following accessories can be optioned for the CLA200 for $1200:
Seven colours are available for the new CLA, including two Manufaktur finishes for an additional cost.







2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA colours:
There are also four interior themes available.




2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA interiors:
Go deeper on the cars in our Showroom, compare your options, or see what a great deal looks like with help from our New Car Specialists.
Max Davies is a CarExpert journalist with a background in regional media, with a passion for Japanese brands and motorsport.


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