DecodedCars2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Coupe, 4dr Coupe (New Gen), Amg Cla 35 4dr Coupe, Amg Cla 45 4dr Coupe
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV, Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 26 city / 36 hwy
- EV range
- 374 mi · 8.75 h on 240 V
- Length
- 184.6–185.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,597–4,729 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Long EV rangeUp to 374 miles on a charge (EPA).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and electric as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,597 lb (4dr Coupe).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (26 city / 36 highway), 3% better than the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG, for an estimated $600 a year in fuel.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 374 miles and takes about 8.75 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2026
- New all-electric version
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 CLA-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Coupe | 184.6 in | 72 in | 56.3 in | 107.5 in | 63.4 / 63 in | 4,597 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Coupe (New Gen) | 185.8 in | 73.2 in | 57.9 in | 109.8 in | 63.4 / 62.2 in | – | |
| Amg Cla 35 4dr Coupe | 184.6 in | 72 in | 56.3 in | 107.5 in | 63.4 / 63 in | 4,663 lb | 60/40 |
| Amg Cla 45 4dr Coupe | 184.6 in | 72 in | 56.3 in | 107.5 in | 63.4 / 63 in | 4,729 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech (R22) EV | 200 kW ACPM 3-Phase | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 374 mi · 27 kWh/100mi | – | $600 | – |
| CLA350 4matic with EQ Tech EV | 81 and 210 kW ACPM 3-Phase | Automatic (A2) | All-Wheel Drive | 312 mi · 29 kWh/100mi | – | $650 | – |
| CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech EV | 200 kW ACPM 3-Phase | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 317 mi · 31 kWh/100mi | – | $700 | – |
| CLA250 Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 36 / 30 | +3% | $2,750 | 298 |
| CLA250 4matic Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 29 | -1% | $2,850 | 311 |
| AMG CLA35 4matic Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | -14% | $3,300 | 361 |
| AMG CLA45 S 4matic | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -21% | $3,550 | 379 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Similar 2026 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 BMW 3 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus IS | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Tesla Model 3 | 363 mi | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Audi A3 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Other CLA-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 CLA-Class | 33 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 CLA-Class | 30 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 CLA-Class | 30 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 CLA-Class | 29 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 CLA-Class | 29 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 CLA-Class | 29 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 CLA-Class | 28 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 CLA-Class | 29 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 CLA-Class | 29 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 CLA-Class | 29 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 CLA-Class | 30 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 CLA-Class | 30 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →