The Mercedes CLA Electric is not just a new model, but a car with a claim to become a new benchmark in the segment of small luxury electric sedans. It is designed as a direct successor to the popular CLA and enters into fierce competition with established players such as the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. Our first impressions after our test drive are that Mercedes' positioning it as an “iPad“ compared to the earlier and clumsy EQ models emphasizes the brand's focus on efficiency and convenience for everyday use.
The CLA Electric offers record-breaking electric range that changes the way we think about the compact class. With a luxurious interior and the promise of a comfortable ride, it is designed to be a long-distance partner, although some compromises in practicality and user interface may raise questions. Here are our impressions of the new CLA.
Exterior
The CLA Electric's vision is the result of the successful adaptation of the aerodynamic achievements of the EQ range. Unlike its older brothers, a much more beautiful and less “egg-shaped“ silhouette is achieved here, while maintaining an extremely low drag coefficient of Cx - 0.21. The design is elegant, but also primarily optimized for efficiency. The rounded front grille and light strips that extend across the entire width both front and rear give the car a modern and recognizable light signature.
The standard equipment is rich and includes a panoramic roof, LED lights, an illuminated grille and 18-inch wheels. This combination creates a premium look that is a must for the brand and ensures that the CLA Electric stands out on the road, while its "slick" shape is directly responsible for its impressive mileage.
Interior
The interior is the boldest departure from traditional Mercedes design. The entire dashboard has been transformed into one huge, curved screen that dominates the cabin and includes the driver display, infotainment and an optional third 14-inch screen for the passenger. The graphics are crystal clear and crisp, creating the feeling of an ultra-modern technological capsule.
The interior is filled with pleasant-to-the-touch and high-quality materials, which include vegan leather, wood and even hemp fibers for the upholstery, emphasizing the luxury and at the same time the brand's environmental consciousness (although the lack of genuine leather is definitely felt). Otherwise, the front seats are extremely comfortable and offer numerous storage options. Although the infotainment menus are easy to navigate, controlling the climate control via the touchscreen is inconvenient, and the touchpad on the steering wheel is unintuitive – this is the main ergonomic flaw of this high-tech design.
As compensation, the built-in AI assistant is impressive, capable of finding restaurants and answering questions. Space is good in the front seats and surprisingly adequate in the back, despite the sloping roofline. The only downside is the low-mounted rear seat, which reduces visibility for rear passengers. The 405-liter trunk lags behind competitors like the Tesla Model 3 (594 liters) and the BMW i4 (470 liters), but this is compensated by the huge 101-liter front trunk, which is one of the largest in the segment.
Engine and driving characteristics
The CLA Electric demonstrates superb efficiency and impressive power. The base version that we tested and that you see in the photos is the CLA 250+ with a single engine on the rear axle and a power of 272 hp. However, the sportier CLA 350+ with two engines, 354 hp and four-wheel drive is also available in our country.
The range is truly remarkable. With a claimed 779 km, the CLA Electric offers the longest distance between charges among all electric cars sold. However, these are figures under absolutely ideal conditions and, as is known, the real range is far lower. In a combined urban/extra-urban environment, however, this Mercedes will easily travel 600 km on a single charge, and we can safely say that its efficiency is exceptional, far exceeding that of the Tesla and almost identical to that of the BMW. The high efficiency is mainly due to the light weight, the aerodynamic shape and the advanced drive and battery technology. During our test, the consumption was below 15 kWh /100 km.
When driving, the CLA Electric is focused on comfort. In the city, the light steering and soft suspension cope with bumps perfectly, making the ride extremely smooth. The brakes are calibrated superbly, avoiding sharp "grabbing" a feeling that is often found in electric cars.
On the highway, the car is quiet and stable. The aerodynamic shape minimizes aerodynamic wind noise, and the standard adaptive cruise control and lane change assistant relieve fatigue on long journeys. On a mountain road, the CLA Electric is also safe and confident. Although it is not a true sports car due to its softer suspension, it offers excellent traction and stability in corners.
Conclusion and price
After our first impressions of the most intelligent new Mercedes, as the Germans themselves call it, we can safely say that the CLA Electric is a car that can easily rewrite the rules for electric range in the compact luxury class. It offers unrivaled range, an exceptionally luxurious interior and the most advanced technologies for a car in this class.
In our opinion, the CLA Electric is an impressive feat of engineering. It combines innovation in efficiency with traditional Mercedes luxury. However, the transition to an all-screen dashboard is controversial. Although visually spectacular, the inconvenient control of basic functions such as air conditioning is an annoying flaw that the brand needs to fix. For consumers who value maximum range, a luxurious atmosphere and are ready to accept the technological interface, the CLA Electric is the undisputed choice at the moment.
The CLA's price positions it as a premium offering, but at the same time, given the prices of the competition, those of the innovation from Stuttgart are not that high. With a starting price of 110,400 BGN including VAT (€ 56,447) for the 250+ version and 118,500 BGN including VAT (€ 60,588) for the 350 4MATIC, the car is very competitive with its main rival the BMW i4, especially considering the much higher mileage and the rich standard equipment, including a panoramic roof, parking assistant and a more extensive set of safety systems.