Mercedes Wants You To Crave This Car. So The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Is Filled With Goodies
This may be the best starter luxury car in the biz. That it's smart and fun are just a bonus.
If you’ve danced around Mercedes-Benz thinking and wishing for one in your driveway, you’ve probably shopped the CLA, the brand’s entry-level sedan. Filled with luxe standard features, future-forward tech and the ability to add features found in much pricier models, the CLA is the company’s house-made crack: Once you go Mercedes, you’re hooked.
To sweeten the deal, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is offered in both gas-powered hybrid and electric, with the EV boasting the company’s most efficient, furthest-driving, fastest-charging powertrain. Inside, the CLA features a completely new multimedia operating system that makes what was already one of the most advanced systems on the road even better.
But maybe best of all, the CLA with EQ Technology (as the company calls it) delivers more power at the entry level than its hybrid twin and at $47,250, it’s a small $4,500 premium over the hybrid model thanks to all the additional power and tech you get.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Hybrid or Electric, CLA Delivers Confidence Either Way
I just spent a few days in the electric CLA road-tripping up and down the California coast and the one thing I can’t tell you about is charging it. Because I never needed to. With 375 miles of range, I tooled around, breezy and carefree, never feeling nervous about getting to my next destination. This was a relief. I expected to see the range drop quickly once I got on the highway and scoped out charge stations along my route, but turns out, I didn’t need to.
I like to drive with max regeneration on (just pull the left paddle to increase regenerative braking) in the city, but on the highway some of my time was spent crawling along California’s infamous clogged freeways were essentially, the fuel was free: I popped on the adaptive cruise system and allowed the car do to the dirty work of stopping and going, and at low speeds it used almost no energy. I watched as the battery level sat … and sat … and sat at nearly the same range for quite some time.
Once the highway opened up, I could really put the CLA EQ to the test. With 268 HP, 47 more than the hybrid model, it felt liberating. If I really wanted to feel the thrill of power, the 350 4Matic all-wheel drive model delivers 349 HP but has a lower driving range, closer to 300 miles, thanks to the dual motor AWD setup.
The CLA Sedan Is Built for the Future
Looking at the silhouette of the Mercedes-Benz CLA is sort of like peering into a crystal ball: the sleek, bullet-shaped design, a staple of the CLA since 2020, is aerodynamic and efficient on the outside while offering quiet comfort on the inside. I can see why Mercedes-Benz stuck with the design even if it may not be everyone’s cup of tea; this car is about the total package, not just the looks on the outside (thank you, Mom, for reinforcing that value in us!).
Within its silhouette, CLA EQ is distinguished by front and rear light bars and distinctive headlights and taillights. The front grille, which is a flat panel, is notable for the expanse of 3-point stars that spans the grille, a detail we first saw on the Mercedes Maybach ultra-luxury trim and that’s also seen on the hybrid model.
Inside the cabin is calm and chic, as expected, but once the screens come to life, it’s clear that the tech in this car is what elevates the experience.
Interior Designs: Future Forward EQ or Classic Hybrid?
The interior of the CLA EQ shows the new design language of Mercedes-Benz, moving away from a dashboard dominated by turbine-shaped air vents and more toward a streamlined look and feel. The center console is linear with rounded edges and storage underneath; the door panels have a floating panel design and sleek new rounded seat setting controls, while the hybrid model carries a more classic look and feel. There are still turbine air vents; they frame the dashboard and light up at night, though the center air vents are linear and sit just under the multimedia touchscreen.
Both hybrid and EQ models come with a standard panoramic sunroof and leatherette upholstery with the option of leather($1,450) in a variety of colors and combinations.
“Hey, Mercedes…” Is Just the Start
We’ve long loved the voice activation that Mercedes-Benz has added to its MBUX multimedia system, which it’s had since 2018. Most of the industry has followed, but as ever, Mercedes has been ahead of the pack with a cloud-connected service that could always go deeper than simple functions; even from the earliest days, it could answer questions, solve problems and tell jokes.
Now, the system is even smarter with… You guessed it: AI. It also has a facial recognition system that allows for more memory settings and more intuitive functions. A Superscreen option upgrades the dashboard screen to a full expanse of glass with a passenger side screen, and an entertainment package allows a full suite of streaming and gaming on the screens.
Probably what I appreciated most were all the options, from a built-in cabin-facing camera that allows you to take video calls or attend Zoom meetings in your car, to energy settings, vehicle settings and more. Plus, it all can be updated over the air, so no need to go to the dealer when there’s an operating system update.
What We Loved in the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250
This could be a long list, but I’ll try to stick to the basics:
- The range
- The option of leather
- The clear, future-forward graphics
- That Superscreen. It’s great
- The Maybach-inspired tri-star details throughout
- Adaptive cruise control
- Over-the-air updates
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- The Liquid Crystal Green color, which is not green at all, but is standard
- The added power in the entry-level model, which is paired with the new tech, is a convincing argument for the EQ vs the hybrid model
What This Car Costs
The CLA is available in 6 models—four hybrid and two electric. They’re all nicely outfitted and feature many of the same upgrade options; the main difference is in the performance. Here’s how they break down:
- CLA 250 Coupe, a mild hybrid 4-cylinder turbo that generates 221 HP, starts at $42,750
- The CLA 250 4Matic Coupe adds all-wheel drive and starts at $44,750
- The AMG CLA 35 Coupe, also a mild hybrid 4-cylinder turbo, delivers 302 HP and starts at $56,600
- The AMG CLA 45 S Coupe, powered by a hand-crafted 4-cylinder AMG engine that produces 416 HP, starts at $67,550; this is the only non-hybrid in the lineup
- The CLA 250+ With EQ Technology is powered by a rear 200kW motor and an 85kWh battery, generating 267 HP and a 375-mile driving range
- The CLA 350+ 4Matic with EQ Technology adds a second motor for all-wheel drive, increasing HP to 349 but reducing range to about 312 miles
What You Need to Know
There are, as ever, caveats:
- The hybrid model gets about 30 MPG; the AMG hybrid gets about 25 MPG
- The rear-wheel drive CLA 250+ has a range of 374 miles but reviewers report higher mileage, which I’m inclined to believe based on my experience
- Leather seating is a $1,450 upgrade
- Entertainment streaming is an upgrade
- The rear seat is not overly large and with the slope of the roof, it may not be comfortable for tall passengers
- The limitations on charging might be frustrating to some buyers
- If you really need to use Tesla Superchargers, wait for the new CLA model that is compatible
Charging the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ
I know, I did say I didn’t charge the CLA during my test drive. But had I needed to, I could have gone almost anywhere to charge it. The CLA EQ has a very unique dual charge port with a NACS, or Tesla-style port that sits next to a J1772 standard level 2 outlet, the type most commonly found in home charge stations. Mercedes, like some other auto makers—such as Nissan—separates the DC fast charge port from the level 2 charge port because they use different internal charge systems. To use fast charging, you’ll need a Tesla-style NACS charger (or an adapter), though the CLA won’t charge at a Tesla Supercharger, at least for now. Drivers will need a standard-style charger to charge at a lower-powered Level 2 charger.
These details can make charging a bit wonky for now, but the good news is that Mercedes is transitioning to a faster charging, higher voltage system; the transition will be complete later in 2026. So early models will have the dual charger port, but later models will only have the single NACS style charge port and should be able to use Tesla Supercharger stations.
As always, plan your charge strategy, do most of your charging at home and have a backup plan for charging on the road. Plan to stop at one of Mercedes-Benz’s own charge stations! I always have a 3rd party app at the ready to ensure I can find charging when I need it; I prefer chargers at convenience stores with nighttime lighting, a drink cooler and a restroom. And then I’ll still probably sit in the car and enjoy the massage seats, the glowy ambient lighting and the cushy leather-covered cabin.
Yes, this last part is a bit complicated, but being a part of the future isn’t always easy. Getting used to the luxuries and the tech in this car is, though, and that’s what’ll get you hooked.
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