I Drove 600 km in a Mercedes-Benz CLA: An Electric Car Journey Without Stress

Following a first generation of electric cars that did not meet sales expectations, the Mercedes-Benz CLA marks the launch of the second version of the brand’s electric range.

Gone are the specific names, the bold style, and the mediocre specifications. With this “CLA with EQ technology,” Mercedes-Benz aims to offer an attractive electric car in every sense of the word.

Boasting a range close to 800 km, fast charging, and advanced technologies, everything is designed to catch up and compete in the electric sedan market, dominated by the ever-popular Tesla Model 3.

After a first trial that satisfied us, we took the wheel of this electric CLA for a 600 km ride from Munich to Venice, passing through the Dolomites. Here is the account of our experience.

Technical Specifications

This test was conducted during a press trip organized by the brand.

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Exterior: Stars in the Eyes

This was my first time approaching the electric CLA in real conditions, and I had mixed feelings. Undeniably, the CLA looks good despite being considered a “entry-level” model by Mercedes-Benz.

The overall appearance, with its four-door coupe silhouette, works well, even if the third side window slightly disrupts the profile’s dynamism – well compensated by the beautiful 19-inch rims of our test model. The generous length of 4.72 m also contributes to these nice proportions.

At the rear, the unmistakable light strip has a nice treatment, with a sequence of vertical bars that can animate when locking and unlocking. It blends into the star-shaped lights, which I have no real complaints about.

However, I am less fond of the front. The large grille is a constraint of its multi-energy platform: the CLA will soon be available in hybrid and must therefore have an opening to cool the combustion engine. Here, it is covered by a black mask, adorned with… 142 stars, twinkling when stationary.

Add to this the illuminated logo and the two stars in the headlights, and you get a style bordering on kitsch. The strip connecting the headlights softens this front view visually and might even remind some of the Smart range… designed by Mercedes-Benz designers.

Finally, if the specific bumpers of our AMG Line do not appeal to you, the “Progressive Line” versions with a softer style are also available.

Interior: Perceived Quality Needs Improvement

A Presentation that Blows Hot and Cold

Entering the CLA – via retractable handles, except on the base model – proves that you are in a true sedan. The driving position is low, the seat and steering wheel adjustments are extensive, in short, one quickly finds their ideal position and feels like driving.

The ambiance inside is also quite pleasant. Certainly, the black and red Artico faux leather paired with equally red seat belts in our test version may not be to everyone’s liking, but it quickly won me over – other colors and genuine leather are obviously available.

The trim on the central console and door panels, here in genuine aluminum, adds an extra touch of sophistication. Lastly, typical Mercedes elements are present, such as seat adjustments on the door panel, sophisticated ambient lighting, and turbine air vents with a satisfying adjustment “click.”

However, a slightly more thorough examination reveals some less pleasing details. The dashboard of our test version did not have the passenger screen (we will detail the multimedia part later), leaving a wall of black lacquered plastic adorned with twinkling stars. Not very pretty or high-quality.

The same goes for the plastics in the lower part (on the glove compartment, for example), which look very basic and are not really in line with the CLA’s positioning.

Lastly, a detail about the window controls which, like at Volkswagen (who has since regretted it), only have two switches: to lower the rear windows, one must first press “rear,” then operate the correct side. A puzzling decision, especially given the car’s price.

Limited Interior Space

As you can see: in the front, there is space and it’s comfortable. At the back, however, the architecture of the CLA inevitably plays tricks: true, the well-sculpted seats and – especially – the glass roof allow adults up to 1.80 m to not have their heads rub, but the near impossibility to slide one’s feet under the front seats and the relatively high floor require very bent knees, which is uncomfortable on long journeys.

As for the middle seat, with its bulging seat and backrest, it will only serve in a pinch – though it is worth noting the flat floor.

The rear trunk opens via a lid and promises 405 liters. The opening is quite wide, but the competition often does better: a BMW i4 promises 470 liters and the Model 3 offers 594 liters. However, the CLA does well thanks to a very practical front trunk (frunk) of 101 liters, in which it is entirely possible to fit a cabin bag in addition to cables. A strong point that few “multi-energy” cars can offer.

Just so you know, if you want more practicality, with a hatchback, an extended trunk volume of 455 liters, and better rear headroom, Mercedes-Benz will launch the CLA Shooting Brake at the end of 2025, which we have already had the opportunity to see statically.

Infotainment: As Comprehensive as it is Frustrating

The CLA’s dashboard hosts two standard screens: one for the driver, 10.25 inches with well-designed graphics and readability, and a central 14-inch screen. This latter runs on MB.OS, the brand’s new operating system, which has received much praise.

In theory, its total connectivity allows it to access an application catalog, update over time, and includes compatibility with Google Gemini, Microsoft Bing and ChatGPT to offer a natural voice command. In theory, voice command is not yet activated in France; therefore, voice control is very basic.

As for the panel, if the large borders diminish the perceived quality, the interface seemed quite ergonomic to us, with menus that are easy to understand and navigate. Only the graphics, somewhat dated, might stand out compared to the competition.

Finally, our test model did not have the Superscreen – meaning the third screen positioned in front of the passenger –, hence the plastic wall instead. If the option is selected (requiring the Premium Pack at 2,100 euros), then a second 14-inch panel will appear to the right of the dashboard.

Driving: Very Enjoyable

For this road trip through the Dolomites, we tested a CLA 250+ – meaning the version with a large battery and rear motor. This motor develops 272 hp and 335 Nm of torque, enough to propel the 1,980 kg Mercedes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 s.

Beyond the numbers, one thing is clear after these 600 km at its wheel: this electric CLA is devilishly pleasant to drive. Its contained width (much less than the Model 3, at least) allows for worry-free city driving, greatly aided by a very light steering and a regenerative brake with a very well-calibrated “one-pedal” mode; this allows coming to a stop without almost ever having to touch the brake pedal. Relaxing.

On mountain roads, the pleasure becomes even more present thanks to a very well-calibrated chassis and steering that stiffens just right, giving the CLA a very enjoyable agility. The performance is never hair-raising, especially in Comfort mode (the default setting); switching to Sport mode makes the Mercedes more lively and sharp, providing a great deal of enjoyment without ever losing a real sense of comfort.

For performance enthusiasts, a 350 4Matic version adds a front motor, not to mention the ultra-high-performance AMG versions to come.

Finally, on the highway, the CLA becomes a high-quality long-distance companion. The soundproofing is good, the comfort of the seats is confirmed, while the driving aids are valuable allies. We had the MB. Drive Assist pack (1,800 euros) unlocking semi-autonomous level 2 driving with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping: a fairly effective system even if, as often, the lane change assistant remains quite cautious, blocking maneuvers that are otherwise easily feasible.

As for the two-speed gearbox – a rarity on an electric car –, we only felt the shift once during these 600 km. The rest of the time, the shifts were perfectly transparent.

Range, Consumption, and Charging: A Good Student

One of the strengths of this CLA 250+ is, of course, its range. Thanks to remarkably low consumption of 12.2 kWh/100 km, it extracts up to 791 km of range according to the WLTP cycle from its 85 kWh battery.

The 627 km of our journey between Germany, Austria, and Italy resulted in an overall consumption of 13.8 kWh/100 km, yielding a range of 616 km on a single charge under these quite specific conditions – here, it’s worth praising the regeneration, which can reach 200 kW, and which significantly lowered the average consumption in downhill sections.

The efficiency is confirmed on the highway, where the CLA benefits fully from its second gear to lower the motor rotation – and thus the consumption. We recorded 16.9 kWh/100 km at 130 km/h, which translates to 503 km on a single charge or 352 km between 10 and 80% of its battery, a usage representative of a journey between two charging stops.

In terms of charging, the CLA’s 800-volt architecture allows it to go from 10 to 80% in 22 minutes at a maximum power of 320 kW. Our experience was not very representative: plugged in without being preconditioned (normally an automatic function) and at a 300 kW station shared with another car, “our” CLA went from 7 to 64% in 16 minutes. A very respectable score but, as you can understand, you can do much quicker under “normal” conditions.

Price, Competition, and Availability: Fleet-Friendly

At 52,900 euros in its launch version, our electric CLA confirms its membership in the Mercedes-Benz range. The price is not so bad, with a nice set of standard features: panoramic roof, adaptive cruise control, illuminated grille, navigation with planner, heated front seats, all as standard.

Especially since this version comes with the large battery. The “small” 58 kWh battery, offering up to 541 km of range while maintaining 20-minute charging, has been available for a few days starting at 48,050 euros.

There is no ecological bonus, but its compatibility with the eco-score allows it to benefit if the salesperson is generous, while company fleets will enjoy reduced taxation – making it a priority market for this electric CLA.

Against it, the BMW i4 is much more expensive (57,850 euros minimum) offering less range (514 km WLTP) and charging in 32 minutes; thus, not very competitive. However, the Tesla Model 3, with its recent improvements, further drives the point home, now offering 520 km of range for 39,990 euros or 750 km for 44,990 euros. A price-quality ratio that is indeed hard to beat.