Tested: New Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake – Stunning Electric Wagon, Nearly Perfect But Flawed!

It’s true that certain car designs never really age, especially when they blend a bit of glamour and practicality. This is particularly true for some brands. The CLA Shooting Brake from Mercedes-Benz, that estate with a coupe-like profile derived from the 4-door CLA model we tested, has become a true visual hallmark. It has even become a coveted item that stands firm against the tyranny of ubiquitous SUVs.

Since its introduction in 2015, this model has captured the hearts of many in France. And like any respectable icon, it too has started its transition into the electric age, moving away from traditional pistons.

Mercedes-Benz Introduces the All-New Electric CLA Shooting Brake

The German automaker is now launching the brand new CLA Shooting Brake in an all-electric version for the first time, built on the very latest multi-energy MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform. The stakes are high for Mercedes, aiming to offer the premier electric estate car for devouring the tarmac. We took the wheel in Mallorca of the 250+ model, which promises an impressive 750 kilometers of range. Let’s head to the Balearic Islands with the manufacturer. Let the journey begin.

Technical Specifications of the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Design: The CLA Shooting Brake and Its Air-Slicing Silhouette

For an extra 1400 euros, the CLA Shooting Brake adopts the stylistic elements of the 4-door coupe sedan version named the 2026 European Car. Naturally, a few centimeters are added (very slightly) to adopt its estate car stance.

Thus, the model before us stretches to a length of 4.73 m, a height of 1.47 m, and a width of 1.86 m. This is about 4 cm longer than the previous generation from 2019. Almost as long as the Class C estate car. Ultimately, its versatility doesn’t really change compared to the 4-door coupe; its bulk remains the same. Regarding the wheelbase, it measures 2.79 m, which is 61 mm more than the previous generation.

At first glance, the electric CLA Shooting Brake is captivating. One immediately notices its sleek line and flush handles, a backlit logo, an enlarged full grille adorned with 142 illuminated stars. This is topped by a small LED strip linking the three-branched headlamps, and supported by perforated bumpers.

At the rear, the nods are subtle, and the design more understated. The roofline’s decline ends on a thin LED strip connecting the star-shaped headlamps. The model is fitted with 19-inch wheels (ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the finish).

We’ll discuss this in more detail later, but all this is not just about aesthetics. Mercedes has engineered a precision weapon against air resistance… In a world saturated with elevated vehicles, this streamlined estate car demonstrates remarkable efficiency. Patience pays off.

Interior: The CLA Shooting Brake Also Features a Frunk!

Let’s immediately talk about its strengths. The trunk is very accessible, thanks to the electric tailgate. While the sedan has not given up its trunk.

You will therefore enjoy a loading volume of 455 liters in a 5-seat configuration (+50 liters still), and up to 1,290 liters with a folded down bench (40/20/40). The question is, where are the handles to fold down the backrests?

The CLA Shooting Brake will also make you appreciate its front trunk, the “frunk,” which can hold 101 liters. Very practical for storing charging cables or taking your carry-on suitcase.

In terms of habitability, it has been quite well thought out. Thanks to a wheelbase identical to the electric CLA, the legroom remains quite decent when sitting in the rear seats.

For tall passengers, the headroom won’t be oppressive, as it rises by 2 cm. Sure, they might wriggle a bit getting in, as access through the rear doors isn’t that easy. And as a treat, just like with the electric GLB we tested at the same time, passengers can enjoy a state-of-the-art optional panoramic glass roof.

Equipped with an opacifying technology, the system allows enjoyment of light, protection from heat, partial darkening of the glass surface, or the appearance of some 158 stars. A gadget you may or may not like, but it’s nevertheless a significant technological leap from the previous generation.

Infotainment: Life Onboard a CLA Shooting Brake with Three Screens!

Onboard, the overall presentation quality (very high level of finish) and the transition to the latest generation multimedia system confirm the vehicle’s premium status.

You’re definitely in a Mercedes, the atmosphere is subdued, technological, almost futuristic. Likewise, the driver will either love or dislike the setup before him, but it’s worth highlighting the presence of this massive digital panel across the length, equipped with three screens, including a 10.25-inch cluster behind the steering wheel, a central screen, and another in front of the passenger measuring 14 inches (the third screen costs an additional 2,750 euros as part of a package).

Mercedes has crafted a strong tech offering: the latest MBUX Superscreen system integrates Bing (Microsoft), Gemini (Google), and ChatGPT, also incorporating AI, as well as numerous features dedicated to electric driving, such as optimized recharging with battery preconditioning and a route planner, etc.

A highlight, the GPS is also very intuitive, aided by a contextual camera and augmented reality. You’ll see, this interface, very high-tech, with voice recognition, compatible with Android Auto and CarPlay wirelessly (optional at 400 euros), and with several smartphones, is very responsive.

The passenger, for their part, even has their own streaming platform, where they can entertain themselves watching YouTube or Netflix. As noted in our test of the electric GLB, using the same architecture, it’s a real spectacle of sounds and lights, you honestly don’t know where to look.

Yes, the road for the driver, but it’s certainly tempting to see what our passenger on the right is up to with their screen. Welcome to the era of the console car.

However, a small caveat for this privacy filter, which seems ineffective. Mercedes confirms that it complies with regulations by offering a system that cuts the image after 3 seconds if the driver looks too far to the right. But 3 seconds at 110 km/h is a long time…

Driving: The Electric CLA Shooting Brake Smoothly Handles Curves

Here we are at the wheel of our electric CLA Shooting Brake in the 250+ AMG Line version, with a single motor and a two-speed gearbox, as tested on the roads of Mallorca. Here are our first impressions. And they are…excellent! The modular MMA platform that incorporates cutting-edge technologies does the job!

Don’t be fooled by its weight! Although it tips the scales at nearly two tons, this estate car surprises with its agility on Mallorca’s winding roads. The curves flow naturally, never sacrificing comfort for performance. The chassis is sharp, and a center of gravity optimized by the placement of the batteries makes for a rigorous and enjoyable ride.

A particularly well-felt dynamism allows for smooth handling of curves. The main criticism is that the steering sometimes lacks heft for optimal feel. It requires switching to Sport mode, which corrects this and firms up the sensations. A truly playful estate car.

Without adaptive suspension, this new CLA Shooting Brake breaks away from the stiffness of its predecessors by offering surprisingly considerate damping. Alright, a few vibrations aren’t absorbed on the most degraded parts of the road, but the overall comfort is good. Then, on some highway stretches in Mallorca, the gear change at 110 km/h or 130 km/h is really smooth, despite the absence of double glazing. The soundproofing remains excellent, with barely audible wind noise.

The CLA Shooting Brake is remarkably gentle and considerate in the city, much thanks to its brake pedal. Its feel is natural, and its regeneration system (4 levels) remains effective in both freewheel and full-stop modes. Watch out for your passengers! The smart automatic management that relies on surrounding data, navigation, and your driving, thus calibrated to the traffic (it even detects cyclists), is therefore appreciable.

The urban experience is convincing. Well, the ease of use of this regenerative system could have been improved: the speed lever lacks naturalness and generates some jerks while getting used to it. The upcoming transition to more ergonomic paddles behind the steering wheel will correct this youthful flaw.

It’s worth noting that all CLA models come standard with active cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, parking assist, adaptive high beams, and lane centering. This offers semi-autonomous driving at level 2.

Range, Battery, and Charging: Ultra-Fast

The electric CLA SB starts with two motorizations, ours, the 250+ with 272 HP whose propulsion reaches 200 kW (224 Nm) and the 350 4Matic with all-wheel drive at 260 kW pushing up to 354 HP (515 Nm). We’re talking about a 0 to 100 km/h of 6.8 and 5.0 s, for a maximum speed of 210 km/h.

Regarding the architecture of this new German estate car, Mercedes has paired it with 800V for the electric variant. This automatically means very rapid recharging with a DC charging capacity of 320 kW for our test model.

The 250+ version (single motor) is equipped with an NMC battery of 85 kWh useful, capable of minimizing recharge stops, recovering 10 to 80% in 22 minutes. Mercedes insists, it’s indeed up to 310 kilometers in 10 minutes. The manufacturer announces that bi-directional charging V2L will arrive this summer.

Your trips to the charging station will be reduced. Mercedes gives a mixed WLTP consumption of 12.7-15.2 kWh/100 km, and claims about 761 km of range. Remember, we’re not as high up as in the electric GLB.

Although more sporty, the CLA estate is lower and therefore more aerodynamic and thus less greedy. And that’s obviously good for the range, by the way, on our side, on a mixed route of 158 km and in regular driving, our CLA Shooting Brake consumed 16 kWh/100 km. We reached 17.4 kWh/100 km pushing it a bit uphill.

Price, Availability, and Competition

What do you think? Yes, it’s true, you need the price to decide even before trying it out. The new version of the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake electric starts at 49,450 euros for the entry-level model (224 HP and 58 kWh battery). Our 250+ AMG line version costs 55,700 euros.

For the 350 4Matic entry-level model, count on at least 64,950 euros.

There are few direct competitors: in the segment of compact electric estate cars of this caliber, we’ll have to wait for the arrival of the BMW i3 Touring, Audi A4 e-tron Avant, or the Polestar 4 estate. Today, the battle isn’t very fierce with more affordable generalist compacts, such as the Volvo V60, Peugeot E-308 SW, or premium models like the BMW i5 Touring, Audi A6 e-tron, and Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer.