Earlier this year, the Mercedes-Benz CLA was crowned European Car of the Year 2026, a prestigious award established in 1964. The official press release declared that Europe had 'chosen its king.' The CLA, available in electric and non-electric versions, scored 320 points from 59 jurors across 23 countries, beating competitors like the Renault 4, Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, and Skoda Elroq. It marked the first time Mercedes won the title since the 450 SE/SEL in 1974.
Given this achievement, we eagerly tested an electric version of the CLA for three days. Our test vehicle was a CLA 250+ Electric AMG Line Premium Plus, priced at £53,300. Finished in Night black with 19-inch wheels and ARTICO man-made leather upholstery, it featured a 14-inch central display with Mercedes' virtual assistant, a 10.25-inch driver display, head-up display, thermotronic automatic climate control, a winter package, and ambient lighting. The front trunk offered 101 litres of storage, while the rear boot provided 405 litres.
Under the hood, the car had an 85.5kWh battery delivering 268hp to the rear wheels via a two-speed gearbox, with a top speed of 130mph and a claimed WLTP range of 452 miles. The car measures 4.7 metres in length and 2 metres in width (including mirrors), stands 1.4 metres tall, and sits on a 2.7-metre wheelbase.
Driving Experience
As a compact 268hp rear-wheel-drive saloon, the CLA impressed with excellent balance and sharp, responsive steering. It handled London's bumps easily, felt nimble around town, and range anxiety was never an issue. On the motorway, it absorbed rough stretches of the M25, such as the uneven section between the A3 and M23 junctions, with minimal road noise. In lesser vehicles, that stretch can feel like the car is falling apart, but the CLA managed it perfectly.
Mechanically, the car excels. Mercedes did an outstanding job with suspension, ride quality, and dynamics. However, several operational shortcomings left me questioning the award.
Issues with the CLA
The first gripe was the voice assistant, which randomly conducted searches based on overheard conversations. Saying 'toilet' while thinking aloud prompted a search for nearby public conveniences. The same happened when commenting on traffic or planning to pick up food.
The second issue was the touchscreen. Rivals like Kia, Hyundai, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo recognize that drivers prefer physical buttons, and Mercedes should follow suit.
The third problem was the modest boot opening. A hatchback design would make loading larger items much easier.
The fourth niggle was niche but frustrating: while testing rear headroom (limited due to the sloping roofline), getting out was impossible because child locks were engaged. The locks were tiny, unmarked switches hidden in the door lining, accessible only by climbing out through the front door and opening the rear door from outside.
Individually, these gripes may seem minor, but they highlight that while the CLA is impressive on paper and behind the wheel, it falls short in everyday usability compared to rivals like BMW, Audi, and Alfa Romeo. Those cars are more straightforward and less frustrating to live with daily—a crucial factor when spending your money.
Verdict: 7.5/10
When it comes to hybrids, the CLA cannot compete with Honda's Civic, which costs around £35,945. The Civic is more enjoyable to drive, more practical as a hatchback, and has physical controls without an intrusive virtual assistant. At the SMMT Test Day earlier this year, the Honda was my favourite among 15 cars I drove, praised for its handling, practicality, looks, and intelligent hybrid powertrain.
