2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ It’s a rolling contradiction. This sleek new four-door is expensive, but it’s worth it because it’s Mercedes’ least expensive sedan. Slower than many electric cars, but surprisingly fast at the push of a button motor trend test. And depending on where you look at it, the CLA250+ is neither wider nor narrower than a Tesla Model 3.
After testing the entry-level electric version of Mercedes’ cheapest non-SUV, it’s clear that the 2026 CLA250+ is a solid choice for very specific buyers. For others, it may be better to wait. This is what we found.
Who is CLA for?
The CLA is not only the most affordable Mercedes car, but also a sedan that celebrates design. It’s part of CLA’s tradition. The original was something of a smaller, more accessible version of the long-discontinued CLS sedan, and a replacement for the more style-focused E-Class sedan.
The tech-heavy CLA now offers a choice of hybrid and electric powertrains. The two electric models include the RWD CLA250+ and the top-of-the-line CLA350, which offers AWD and quick acceleration.
A hybrid/gasoline model called the CLA220 will then join the lineup, with prices expected to be lower than the CLA250+’s nearly $50,000 base price.
CLA250’s unexpected driving becomes fun
We were driving down a Los Angeles freeway when something unexpected happened. A certain road was congested. When you press the gas pedal, the car responds with acceleration and ridiculous futuristic noises. Eventually, the passenger in the front seat started humming the theme of the movie. back to the future. perfection.
Mercedes calls them “sound experiences”, and this is a highlight of the CLA250+. We preferred the Fractal Fusion sound theme. It’s described as combining “the nostalgic sounds of ’80s arcade games and synthwave music with modern, vibrant synth textures.”
It also makes various sounds when braking, charging, and locking/unlocking the car. This technology is not unique to the electric car CLA. We’ve experienced similar sounds coming from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, fellow electric Mercedes cars, and various other players in the luxury EV space.
0-60 MPH test
This is where the car’s 268-horsepower single-motor electric powertrain comes into play. in motor trend-Tested 0-60 mph time was 5.8 seconds, and full-throttle bursts don’t feel as wild compared to other faster EVs with more instantaneous thrust. Rather, it will gradually accelerate. Bottom line: If you want even more offline explosive power from your CLA, you should go for the dual-motor CLA350.
As for the CLA250+, the 0-60 performance we achieved was slower than the last two Model 3s we tested, reaching 60 in 4.0 seconds It’s worth noting that the Model 3 Long Range AWD is available for the same price as a rear-wheel-drive Mercedes.
Like the Model 3, the Mercedes is fun to drive down canyon roads. It’s not a sports car, so there’s some body roll, but the steering is nicely weighted. Combined with the sound experience, you’ll have plenty of time in your rear-wheel drive sedan when your favorite asphalt is empty.
Tire noise was always present in our CLA250+ test car, which wore the 19-inch AMG Line wheel and tire package. If you want the biggest wheels, go for it. The noise inside the car is louder, but still acceptable. We found that regardless of wheel choice, the CLA tends to ride over expansion joints and other road imperfections on the highway.
In our 60-0 mph brake test, the CLA250+ had solid performance. The Mercedes showed consistent stopping distances during testing, with its shortest stopping distance of 110 feet, which was 4 to 5 feet shorter than the last non-performance Model 3 we tested.
Are you ready for a road trip?
Electric vehicle range is improving, and we love watching automakers progress. Depending on specification, the CLA250+ can achieve an EPA-certified range of up to 374 miles, with a loaded vehicle range of 317 miles as tested on 19-inch wheels. Those are solid numbers, but what really impressed us was its road trip range test performance. this motor trend-A proprietary test simulates how much range you can expect to cruise at 110 mph using 95% of your car’s full charge.
In most cases, the EVs we’ve tested have ranges below EPA ratings, but that’s not the case here. The CLA250+ achieved 333 miles, well above the EPA’s 317 mile rating for this trim, and better than any Model 3 or Model Y we’ve tested thus far.
An integrated Tesla-style NACS fast charging port gives the CLA250+ the added benefit of charging at many Tesla Superchargers as well. When it comes to fast charging, in our testing, the CLA250+ added 186 miles of range in the first 15 minutes (this is a best-case test of what’s possible). Most EV charging happens overnight on slow home-based chargers, but you’ll still appreciate quick performance when you’re out on the open road.
Is CLA a good deal?
This is the difficult part. The 2026 CLA250+ does a decent job of feeling upscale with its interior quality. Our $62,480 test car was equipped with black seats featuring white accents and red stitching. The style is much better than it looks.
Don’t forget about screens either. The 10.3-inch driver display is joined by a 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 14.0-inch passenger touchscreen (in high trims). That’s…a lot. One consolation for those who don’t want information-packed screens everywhere is that the passenger screen can be programmed to display a photo of your choice. So think of it like this: You’ll never be able to travel without Luna or Max again.
The rest of the interior is a good mix of functionality and high-quality surfaces, but again, at least that’s to be expected considering our test car cost over $60,000. That’s a price that opens up a lot of possibilities, and while the Model 3’s interior is more spacious, it’s not quite as rich.
Perhaps the biggest reason to think twice about the CLA250+ is the upcoming CLA220 Hybrid. Ultimately, it could be more suited to buyers who don’t care about what’s under the hood. However, in our experience, electric cars are often quieter, faster, and more convenient than gasoline cars.
In this case, however, some CLA250+ customers may simply want a cool-looking, inexpensive Mercedes. As a bonus, the gas-powered CLA220 will likely have a lower base price and offer more trunk space.
Come to think of it, the flanks of the 2026 CLA250+ are divided into three parts, which I appreciate. This is a practical feeling that Tesla buyers have experienced for years. In this case, the 1.4 cubic feet of space feels almost essential considering there’s only 10.3 cubic feet in the trunk.
Compared to the Tesla, the Mercedes’ back seat feels more spacious, but the Model 3 has much more space for your luggage. The Tesla has a slightly narrower door frame, making it easier to exit the vehicle.
As with other Mercedes vehicles, part of the overall value equation is the ability to customize your experience. We don’t mean the sound experience, we mean the rich range of exterior and interior colors and even trim. At launch, the CLA250+ offers nine different wheel styles and six interior trim options, as well as a variety of cabin colors. So even if many buyers opt for a white exterior over a black interior, know that you have options.
Still, it’s because of you have Just because it’s $62,480 doesn’t mean you have to spend $62,480.
do this instead of that
Not everyone wants the biggest car their money can buy. Some people want something special in a compact package. That’s what Mercedes is aiming for with the 2026 CLA250+ and CLA lineup.
However, there are more viable options in the EV space and elsewhere, so it might be a good car for first-timers to try out on lease. If you want to see how it fits into your lifestyle and still don’t mind the car’s EV-specific benefits, a petrol CLA220 or GLA might be a better choice.
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Specifications
Basic price
$49,300
tested price
$62,480
vehicle layout
Rear motor, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door electric sedan
power train
Permanent magnet motor, 268 hp, 247 lb-ft
force
268 horsepower
torque
247 pound-feet
contagion; infection
2 speed automatic
battery
85.0kWh NMC Lithium ion
Vehicle weight (F/R distance)
£4,541 (45/55%)
wheelbase
109.8 inches
Length x width x height
185.9 x 73.0 x 57.8 inches
tire
Bridgestone Tranza 6 MOF: 225/40R19 93W XLR: 255/35R19 99W XL
EPA Fuel Economy, City/Highway/Combined
112/105/109mpg-e
EPA range
517 miles
70 mph road trip range
533 miles
MT quick charging test
196 miles in 15 minutes, 294 miles in 30 minutes
On sale
now
MotorTrend test results
0-60MPH
5.8 seconds
quarter mile
14.6 seconds at 98.2 mph
Brakes, 60-0 mph
110 feet
lateral acceleration
0.85g
figure eight wrap
26.2 seconds @ 0.71 g (average)
