Behold the all new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology. For 2026, the German luxury marque’s entry-level sedan is going all-electric, at least for now. But the real magic in this well-priced, nicely appointed EV is the advanced tech that runs all its systems. It’s the first to be built on the company’s new platform, allowing Mercedes to maintain interior and exterior design but let customers pick the powertrain. More importantly, the CLA is the first to use company’s new proprietary operating system.
The CLA with EQ technology—and yes, that’s this model’s name, replacing EQS-badged models—will be landing at US dealerships imminently. But don’t fret if you’re not ready for an EV; the CLA with EQ Technology will be followed by a hybrid model for those of you who prefer to sip dino-juice.
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.
Two Models Let You Pick Your Level of Wooo-Hooo!
There are two models currently available—powerful and more powerful:
- CLA 250+ with EQ Technology (RWD, 374mi EPA range): $47,250 + $1,250 destination fee
- CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology (AWD, 312mi EPA range): $49,800 + $1,250 destination fee
And there are five trims levels available:
- Standard: +$0
- Pinnacle Line (more premium): +$5,850
- AMG Line (sporty): +$2,100
- AMG Line Plus (more sporty): +$3,100
- Exclusive Line (premium): +$2,250
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Of Course, You Can Dress Up Your CLA With Options
Individual options include 18- and 19-inch wheels, a Night Package with blacked out accents, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, a 360 camera, and Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). Recently I had the opportunity to drive the new CLA on my home turf, in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sadly, Mercedes didn’t have the all wheel drive CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology or the upcoming hybrid model on hand for me to try, so what follows are my impressions of the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology which comes standard with rear wheel drive. My test car came equipped with the AMG Line trim, Pinnacle Line trim, 19-inch AMG wheels, the Burmester sound system, and Level 2 ADAS.
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The CLA Grows Up—On Tech
One classic detail that didn’t change for 2026 is that the CLA is still a small luxury sedan. But when it comes to tech, it’s all grown up. This car is built on Mercedes’ Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, meaning it was designed to be an EV first, and a hybrid vehicle second. As a result, the all-electric versions have a frunk (front trunk)—a first in a modern Mercedes.
In addition, the all-electric CLA inherits a lot of the EV tech that Mercedes developed for its hyper-efficient Vision EQXX concept, resulting in an affordable EV (starting at $47,250) with a ton of range (up to 374 miles) that charges super fast (320kW, 10-80% in 22 minutes) and is packed with cool tech like an AI assistant and selfie camera.
Read: The 2026 Polestar 4 Follows Sage Advice: Perfect Your Look By Removing One Thing
Meet the MB.OS, Mercedes’ Proprietary Operating System
The 2026 CLA is also the first Mercedes to run the company’s brand new, purpose-built operating system, MB.OS, on all four domains – multimedia, automated driving, body & comfort, and driving & charging. As such, the CLA is a fully software-defined vehicle, meaning that all of the car’s software can be updated over-the-air, in the same exact way that your smartphone receives software updates.
Many cars today get software updates, but those are usually limited to multimedia or navigation, and often require a visit to the dealer. So this is a big deal because it puts Mercedes on the same playing field as tech-forward car manufacturers like Rivian and Tesla, and positions the all-electric CLA as a direct competitor to the Model 3.
Here’s What Mercedes Got Right
Of course, there’s more to a good EV than advanced tech and an efficient powertrain. The new CLA might be an entry-level sedan, but it’s still a Mercedes, so it nails other important things like luxury, comfort, materials, and build quality—areas where similarly priced EVs often fall short. Yes, I’m looking at you, Tesla Model 3.
I particularly enjoyed spending time inside the 2026 CLA, which is spacious and well appointed. The seats are comfortable, and the driving position is excellent. I like to adjust my seat as low as possible, and I often find the cowl between the windshield and the hood to be too high in other Mercedes vehicles and impeding visibility, but this isn’t the case here. Visibility is surprisingly good.
The CLA Delivers Impressive Driving and Clever Features
The all-electric CLA also drives and rides extremely well. I’m used to driving fast EVs (0-60mph in less than 3.5s), so obviously the CLA 250+ (RWD, 268hp, 247 lb-ft, 0-60mph in 6.6s) – while offering more than adequate acceleration – felt a little slow to me. The more powerful CLA 350 (AWD, 349hp, 380 lb-ft, 0-60mph in 4.8s) should fix that.
I was particularly impressed with the new CLA’s nimble handling when I took the car onto twisty roads. Mercedes has done a fantastic job tuning this sedan’s chassis dynamics. The steering is precise and direct, and the amount of regenerative braking can be adjusted by pushing and pulling the gear selection stalk on the right, which is clever.
Mercedes got a few more things right with the all-electric CLA that EV enthusiasts (and ex-Tesla drivers like me) will definitely appreciate. There’s a frunk with 2.5 cubic feet of space. You can simply press the brake pedal to start the car—no pushing a starter button required. The charging port door is motorized, so it will close all by itself when you invariably forget to close it after unplugging from a charger.
Here’s What Needs Improvement
Design is highly subjective, but I’m not in love with the 2026 CLA’s looks. While I appreciate this car’s aerodynamic shape that results in an impressively low drag coefficient (0.21cd), there’s something off about its proportions – to my eyes at least. It’s definitely less bulbous than the EQS and EQE sedans, but it’s not remotely as attractive as the Concept CLA Class that was shown at CES in 2024.
And then, there’s something that’s highly annoying. In the new CLA, Mercedes replaced the standard set of four window switches for the driver with two window switches and a button that toggles between the front and rear. This is something that VW introduced with the ID.4, Volvo used in the EX90 and EX30, and Polestar adopted in the Polestar 3. And it feels cheap.
Early Adopters Will Have to Wait (Slightly) For Supercharger Compatibility
DC fast charging is going to be limited on some models. The first batch of all-electric CLAs sold in the US won’t support 400V charging and won’t be compatible with Tesla’s vast Supercharger network – despite having a NACS port. See, the CLA uses a modern 800V architecture, but early cars lack the 800V to 400V converter required to enable 400V charging.
The missing converter will be added to all-electric CLA models starting in the spring of 2026, but can’t be retrofitted to existing cars. Also, while the CLA features a NACS port, it can only be used for DC fast charging, so there’s a separate level 2 J1772 port next to it for AC charging. It’s a curious detail but one that we’ve seen in other EVs including the new Nissan Leaf. Makes zero sense to me, and it’s bound to confuse first-time EV buyers.
This Small Luxury Sedan Is a Proper Mercedes
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology that I spent half a day driving. This small luxury sedan includes the key ingredients: it’s an affordable EV (starting at $47,250) that’s super-efficient (up to 374 miles of range) and boasts a ton of state-of-the-art tech – without sacrificing ease-of-use, comfort, and quality.
In other words, it’s a proper Mercedes. The all-electric CLA delivers great value and gives the competition (the Tesla Model 3) a serious run for its money. Personally, I’d upgrade to the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology (AWD) and wait until the spring of 2026 for a car equipped with the 800V to 400V converter for Supercharger access.
As for the upcoming hybrid model, it’s a wildcard at this point. The 2026 CLA was designed to be an EV first, so I don’t expect the hybrid model to drive as well as the all-electric CLA. It should be just as premium and comfortable, though, so it might be worth considering. Hopefully, I’ll get to drive it soon and report back, so stay tuned for that.
