Earlier this year, the Mercedes-Benz CLA was named the European Car Of The Year 2026, a prestigious award that has been running since 1964. According to the official press release, Europe had “chosen its king”. The CLA, available in both electric and non-electric forms, scored 320 points from 59 jurors across 23 countries. It outperformed contenders such as the Renault 4, Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, and Skoda Elroq. This marked Mercedes’ first win since the 450 SE/SEL took the title in 1974.
Specifications of the Tested Model
We spent three days with an electric variant of the CLA: a CLA 250+ Electric AMG Line Premium Plus, priced at £53,300 as tested. Finished in Night black, it featured 19-inch wheels and ARTICO man-made leather upholstery. The infotainment system included a 14-inch central display with Mercedes’ virtual assistant, alongside a 10.25-inch driver display showing charge and speed information. The AMG Line Premium Plus trim also added a head-up display, thermotronic automatic climate control, a winter package, and ambient lighting. Storage includes a 101-litre front trunk and a 405-litre boot.
The powertrain consists of an 85.5 kWh battery producing 268 hp, driving the rear wheels through a two-speed gearbox. The car can reach a top speed of 130 mph and offers a claimed WLTP range of 452 miles, enough for a round trip from London to Brighton about eight times. The CLA measures 4.7 metres in length, 2 metres wide (including mirrors), 1.4 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2.7 metres.
Driving Experience
As a small 268 hp rear-wheel-drive saloon, the CLA handles well. It offers good balance, direct steering, and a communicative feel. The ride absorbs London’s bumps effectively, and range anxiety was not an issue during testing. On the motorway, it managed bumpy stretches of the M25 with ease, minimising road noise. The car’s suspension, ride, and dynamics are commendable, but operational quirks raised questions about its award.
Issues Encountered
- Voice Assistant: The system randomly activated when certain words were spoken, such as searching for toilets after the word ‘toilet’ was mentioned.
- Touchscreen Controls: The lack of physical buttons is frustrating; rivals like Kia, Hyundai, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo still offer tactile controls.
- Boot Aperture: The boot opening is small, and the lack of a hatchback design limits practicality for larger items.
- Child Locks: Rear child locks were hard to access—tiny unmarked switches on the door lining, only reachable from outside the car after exiting through the front.
Verdict: 7.5/10
Individually, these issues are minor, but they highlight a key weakness of the CLA. While it excels on paper and dynamically—offering comfort, efficiency, and handling—its operation falls short compared to rivals from BMW, Audi, or Alfa Romeo. These competitors are easier to use daily, which significantly influences purchase decisions.
The Better Alternative
For those considering a hybrid, the CLA hybrid version cannot match the Honda Civic, which costs around £35,945. The Civic is more engaging to drive, more practical as a hatchback, and features physical controls without an intrusive virtual assistant. Earlier this year, at the SMMT Test Day, the Honda was my favourite among 15 cars tested, praised for its handling, practicality, looks, and intelligent hybrid powertrain.
