2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ Electric First Test: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ is a rolling contradiction. This slinky new four-door is pricey, yet it’s the least expensive Mercedes sedan, making it something of a value. It’s slower than many electric cars yet was impressively quick in a key MotorTrend test. And depending on where you look, the CLA250+ is both more and less spacious than the Tesla Model 3.

After testing the entry-level electric version of Mercedes’ cheapest non-SUV, it’s clear that the 2026 CLA250+ is a solid option for a very specific buyer. For everyone else, waiting may be a better bet. Here’s what we found.

Who Is the CLA For?

The CLA isn’t just the most affordable Mercedes car, it’s also a sedan that celebrates design. That’s part of the CLA’s heritage; the original was like a smaller and more accessible version of the long-discontinued CLS sedan, a more style-focused alternative to the E-Class sedan.

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Now the tech-heavy CLA returns with a choice between hybrid and electric powertrains. Two electric models include the RWD CLA250+ and the uplevel CLA350, which offers AWD and quicker acceleration.

Later, the hybrid/gas model called the CLA220 will join the lineup and, we expect, will start at lower than the CLA250+’s near $50,000 base price.

The Unexpected Way the CLA250 Makes Driving Fun

We’re driving down a Los Angeles freeway when the unexpected happens: A stretch of road clears of traffic. I slam the accelerator pedal down, and the car responds with both acceleration and silly, futuristic noises. Before long, my front passenger is humming the theme from Back to the Future. Perfect.

Mercedes calls them “Sound Experiences,” and it’s a CLA250+ highlight. We preferred the Fractal Fusion sound theme, which is described as combining “nostalgic sounds of ’80s arcade games and synthwave music with modern vibrant synth textures.”

Various tones are also emitted when braking, charging, and locking/unlocking the car. This tech isn’t unique to the electric CLA: We’ve also experienced similar sounds emanating from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, fellow electric-powered Mercedes cars, and a few other assorted players in the luxury EV space.

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0-60 MPH Testing

This is where the car’s 268-hp single-motor electric powertrain comes into play. At a MotorTrend-tested 0–60-mph time of 5.8 seconds, full-throttle bursts don’t feel as wild as they might in other, quicker EVs with more instantaneous thrust. Rather, the acceleration comes on gradually. Bottom line, if you want more of an off-the-line blast from your CLA, you’re going to need to get into the dual-motor CLA350.

As for the CLA250+, the 0–60 performance we achieved is slower than the last two Model 3s we’ve tested, and it’s worth noting the Model 3 Long Range AWD—which hit 60 in 4.0 seconds—is available at the same price as the RWD Mercedes.

Much like that particular Model 3, the Mercedes can be enjoyable on a canyon road. It’s no sports car, with more than a little body roll, but the steering has a good weight to it. Mix in the Sound Experiences, and you can have a decent enough time hustling the rear-drive sedan when your favorite stretch of asphalt is empty.

Tire noise was an ever-present part of the driving experience in our CLA250+ test car, which rolled on a 19-inch AMG-line wheel and tire package. If you have to have the biggest wheels, go for it; it’ll be louder inside but still tolerable. Regardless of wheel choice, we’ve found that the CLA tends to bounce over freeway expansion joints and other roadway imperfections.

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In our 60–0 mph braking test, the CLA250+ was a solid performer. The Mercedes turned in consistent stopping distances during our testing, and its shortest stop was 110 feet, which is 4 to 5 feet shorter than the last non-Performance Model 3s we’ve tested.

Road-Trip Ready?

Electric-car range is improving, and we love to see the progress automakers are making. Depending on spec, the CLA250+ can achieve up to an EPA-rated 374 miles, with the loaded car we tested on the 19-inch wheels being good for 317 miles. Those are solid numbers, but what really impressed us was its Road-Trip Range test performance. This MotorTrend-exclusive test simulates how much range you can expect on a 70-mph cruise that uses 95 percent of a car’s full charge.

Most of the time, the EVs we test post a Road-Trip Range figure somewhere below the EPA ratings, but not here. The CLA250+ achieved 333 miles, well above the EPA’s 317-mile rating for this trim and a better result than any Model 3 or Model Y we’ve tested.

With the integrated Tesla-style NACS fast-charging port, the CLA250+ adds the advantage of being able to charge at many Tesla Superchargers, too. Speaking of fast charging, in our testing, the CLA250+ added 186 miles of range during the first 15 minutes (this is a best-case test that shows what’s possible). Most EV charging is done on slow, home-installed chargers overnight, but we still appreciate the quick performance when it’s time to hit the open road.

Is the CLA a Good Value?

This is where things get tricky. The 2026 CLA250+ does a decent job feeling upscale with its interior quality. Our $62,480 test car came with black seats that featured white accents with red stitching—a style that looks far better than it sounds.

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Don’t forget about the screens. A 10.3-inch driver display is joined by a 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen as well as a 14.0-inch passenger touchscreen (on higher trims). It’s ... a lot. One consolation for those of us who don’t want info-laden screens everywhere, the passenger screen can be programmed to show a photo of your choice. So, think of it this way: You’ll never travel without Luna or Max again.

The rest of the interior has a good mix of features and high-quality surfaces, although again, considering our test car was more than $60,000, we expect that at a minimum. It’s a price that opens many possibilities, including the Model 3, whose interior feels airier but not as rich.

Perhaps the biggest reason to think twice about the CLA250+ is the upcoming CLA220 hybrid, which may end up being a better fit for buyers who don’t care about what’s under the hood. But in our experience, electric cars are often quieter, quicker, and more convenient than gas cars.

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In this case, however, some CLA250+ customers may simply want an inexpensive Mercedes that looks cool. The gas-powered CLA220 is likely to have a lower base price and offer more trunk space, to boot.

Speaking of which, we appreciate the 2026 CLA250+’s frunk, with its three divided sections. It’s a practical touch that Tesla buyers have experienced for years. In this case, that 1.4-cubic-foot space feels almost like a necessity considering there are only 10.3 cubes in the trunk.

Compared to the Tesla, the Mercedes back seat feels more spacious, but the Model 3 offers far more space for your stuff. The Tesla is also easier to get out of, thanks to a slightly narrower door sill.

As with other Mercedes cars, part of the overall value equation is the ability to customize the experience. We don’t mean the Sound Experiences, but the multitude of exterior and interior colors, plus trims. At launch, the CLA250+ offers nine different wheel styles and six interior trim options, plus plenty of cabin colors. So, even if many buyers pick a white exterior over a black interior, know that you have options.

Still, just because you have $62,480 doesn’t mean you have to spend $62,480.

Do This, Not That

Not everyone wants the biggest car they can get for the money. Some want something special in a compact package, and that’s what Mercedes is going for with the 2026 CLA250+ and the CLA lineup.

More practical choices exist in the EV space and otherwise, however, so maybe this is a good car for first-timers to try via a lease. See how it works with your lifestyle, and if you still don’t care about the car’s EV-specific advantages, the gas CLA220 or GLA may be a better fit.