2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA revealed with hybrid and electric power, due in Australia next year

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The cheapest Mercedes-Benz models are set to move into new luxury – and likely price – territory with the arrival of a new generation of ‘compact’ cars offering a choice between mild-hybrid and electric power.

Starting with the 2026 CLA, future small cars from Mercedes-Benz will adopt fresh underpinnings and computer systems that unlock more technology, space and energy efficiency, expected to be accompanied by higher prices and profit margins.

Four cars will make up the new range – the CLA sedan, CLA wagon, and GLA and GLB SUVs – in turn marking the end of the road for the popular A-Class hatch in the coming years.

Due in Australia in the first half of 2026, the new CLA sedan – revealed first as an electric car – is claimed to be the “cleverest car Mercedes-Benz [has] ever made”.

MORE: Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan axed, hatchback lives on – for now

Prices will be confirmed closer to launch, but it is expected to sit north of the $72,400 plus on-road costs of today’s entry-level CLA200, let alone a $57,500 A200 hatch – and in electric form, closer to C-Class (from $87,800) territory.

Underpinning the latest CLA and its future siblings is a new platform known as MMA, which has been designed for electric cars, and adapted to suit petrol power – not the other way around.

It means any compromises in cabin or boot space to accommodate both power sources will be found in the mild-hybrid models, not the electric vehicles.

At 4723mm long, 1855mm wide, 1468mm tall and 2790mm in wheelbase, it is about three centimetres larger in every exterior dimension – and larger than a Tesla Model 3 – but there is 61mm more between the front and rear wheels than before for more interior space.

MORE: 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA – Everything we know about the electric and mild-hybrid sedan

Retaining a coupe-styled sedan shape similar to its predecessor, the new CLA wears smoother styling, led by a new front fascia with a full-width light bar connecting a choice of two LED headlight technologies, and star-patterned daytime-running lights.

Electric models are available with a blocked-off grille home to 142 small and one large Mercedes-Benz star, which can be illuminated in certain markets.

Star patterns continue to the LED tail-lights – also connected by a light strip – while frameless door windows, optional retractable door handles, and alloy wheel diameters from 17 to 19 inches are available.

It offers the company’s first under-bonnet storage compartment – also known as a ‘frunk’, short for ‘front trunk’ – since the 1930s, a 101-litre space that complements the 405L boot.

MORE: 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA to use Geely engine – report

Inside, the new CLA is home to a new version of Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX Superscreen, with up to three screens placed behind a glass panel stretching across the dashboard.

It will include a 10.25-inch instrument display and 14-inch central infotainment touchscreen at launch, with another 14-inch touchscreen for the front passenger to join the options list after launch.

Should buyers not tick the option box for the passenger screen, there will be a “star pattern graphic” ahead of the co-pilot to fill the space.

The CLA debuts Mercedes-Benz Operating System, a new software package claimed to control everything from the multimedia screen to the car’s driver-assistance technology and drivetrain.

MORE: Electric 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA previewed by concept

Over-the-air software updates allow the “entire vehicle software” to be updated remotely, including the safety technology, and the system is said to consume less energy than those in earlier Mercedes-Benz cars.

The central touchscreen runs new MBUX software, with graphics developed in the Unity engine used for many popular video games, and a ‘zero layer’ that presents the most important functions on the home screen.

It will be needed, as physical air-conditioning controls have been deleted, as well as most other buttons in the cabin.

The voice assistant uses a combination of ChatGPT and Google Gemini artificial-intelligence systems, backed by Microsoft Bing search, and the car can even detect the passengers’ mood and vary the colour of the ambient lighting accordingly, from green for happy to red for angry.

MORE: New Mercedes-Benz CLA to retain petrol alongside electric power

Other software features include games and Disney+ video streaming on the passenger screen, satellite navigation that can show a 3D view of the car and its surroundings, and in-built Google Maps.

Interior equipment includes a standard-fit panoramic glass roof with an infrared film claimed to “eliminate the need for a roller blind”, synthetic leather-look upholstery with fabric or microfibre accents, and ‘comfort’ or sports seats.

There are heated front seats, climate control, four USB-C ports, and the option of a Burmester 3D surround sound system and a head-up display.

Under the skin, the new CLA is claimed to draw inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept car, with more efficient drivetrains and a low 0.21Cd drag coefficient for a smaller hole cut through the air.

MORE: Mercedes-Benz previews new MB.OS operating system

Electric versions run at 800 volts for DC fast charging at up to 320kW, rated to allow up to 325km of lab-tested driving range to be added to the battery in 10 minutes – provided the charger can deliver at least 500 amps of current.

A heat pump is standard, as is 11kW AC charging.

Standard in the two launch variants is an 85kWh battery, rated to enable 694km to 792km of WLTP-tested driving range with rear-wheel drive – depending on equipment – and 672km to 771km with all-wheel drive.

A smaller 58kWh battery is due at a later date, with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry in favour of the larger pack’s nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC).

Powering the entry-level electric CLA – badged CLA250+ with EQ Technology – is a 200kW/335Nm rear motor, claimed to enable a 6.7-second 0-100km/h acceleration time, and energy use as low as 12.2kWh/100km.

The all-wheel-drive CLA350 4Matic with EQ Technology upgrades to dual motors – 200kW front, 80kW rear – developing 260kW and 515Nm for a 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz says the CLA’s frugal energy efficiency comes from an in-house electric motor free of rare earth materials, clever software, and a two-speed rear transmission that shifts to its top gear at higher speeds to reduce consumption.

The regenerative braking technology can feed energy back into the battery at up to 200kW, with four modes selectable with steering wheel paddles.

Mild-hybrid variants will be powered by a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine matched with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and front- or all-wheel drive.

It is aided by 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, but unlike many systems of its kind, the CLA’s wheels can be driven on electric power alone at low speeds – akin to a conventional hybrid – when power of less than 20kW is required.

Energy is stored in a 1.3kWh battery, which can be charged through regenerative braking at up to 25kW, or by the engine.

Power and torque outputs for the mild-hybrid CLA will be announced “later in the year”, the brand says.

Standard in Europe will be adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist and assisted lane changes activated by the indicator stalk, as part of a safety suite known as MB.Drive Assist.

Due at a later date are fully-automatic lane changes – which will not require the driver to touch the indicator stalk – as well as more sophisticated adaptive cruise control software.

Planned for launch in China in 2025 – with the US to follow in 2026, and other markets as the technology becomes legal – are “new assistance functions in urban traffic”, likely a more advanced semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA is due in Australia in the first half of next year. Prices and features are yet to be confirmed.

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