German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new version of its popular CLA model. It not only promises a new design, but also a major leap in technology. This is the first time that Mercedes has presented a model of its C-Class as a fully electric (EV) car. However, for those who are not ready to go all the way to electric cars, there is also an affordable option of a mild-hybrid system. This new look of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA has created a storm of excitement in the minds of fans.

The design of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA retains the familiar sloping roof style of the old model, but this time the size of the car has been increased. Its wheelbase is now 2,790 mm, length 4,723 mm, width 1,855 mm and height 1,468 mm to make room for the new battery pack. This larger size has resulted in the addition of quarter windows at the rear, which adds a new dimension to its appearance.

The front of the car is designed in line with Mercedes' previously revealed concept models. The grille area is designed with a combination of multiple lights to create an eye-catching look. It features multi-beam LED headlights, which feature three-pointed star-shaped DRLs (daytime running lights). These lights are connected by a light bar across the entire width of the car, giving it a modern and premium look. The rear taillights follow the same design trend, with 40 illuminated louvers connected by a light bar. This design further enhances the car's four-door coupe character.


Interior: New heights of technology

As soon as you enter the car, you will notice three screens across the dashboard. These include a 10.3-inch instrument cluster, a 14.0-inch center touchscreen and another screen for the passenger. Modern features such as a touch-slider for volume control and a touch-swipe button on the steering wheel have also been included. In addition, the new MBUX system has been added with Google Maps navigation and search facilities via Gemini AI.

A special attraction is the ‘mood ring’, which is claimed to be able to recognize the driver’s mental state. This technology makes the car experience more personal and smart. The interior design shows a unique blend of luxury and technology, which sets this car apart from its competitors.

Range and powertrain: a combination of power and efficiency

The electric version of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA uses 800-volt architecture for the first time. It features an 85 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack with fast charging up to 320 kW. The CLA250 Plus variant has a 268 horsepower rear motor, which gives a range of up to 792 km on a single charge. On the other hand, the CLA350 4MATIC variant is available with an all-wheel-drive system with 349 horsepower and a range of 771 km.

In addition, a petrol-hybrid version will also be available later this year. It will have a 1.5-liter (M252) petrol engine with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, which has a capacity of 1.3 kWh. The electric motor and inverter are combined in a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The motor is capable of regenerating energy in all eight gears, which further increases its efficiency.