Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ Technology Review 2025

Having signposted the phasing-out of its standalone EQ model ranges with the introduction of the battery-powered Mercedes G-Class with EQ Technology, the upmarket brand’s follow-up model is far more significant, both for itself and the EV market as a whole. This is the new, electric Mercedes CLA with EQ Technology.

'Gamechanger' is a word often casually tossed about in automotive circles when referencing tiny incremental improvements over what’s gone before, but in the case of the all-new electric Mercedes CLA coupe there’s greater justification for such hyperbole.

Central to this is the work Mercedes’ engineers have undertaken to reduce the CLA EQ’s electrical appetite, not only by honing its aerodynamics to cleave the air with minimal resistance, but also via advances in the mechanicals of its motors and the installation of a two-speed automatic transmission for more effortless motorway cruising.

The result? Based on provisional testing, the Mercedes CLA with EQ Technology can legitimately lay claim to be the most energy efficient electric car available, attaining 5.09mi/kWh according to the firm’s own figures.

If you’re not overly familiar with mi/kWh — the electric car equivalent of mpg for combustion-engined models — here’s some context: the current Mercedes EQE which sits above the new CLA in the range has a best of 3.86mi/kWh, while the compact Mercedes EQA SUV can only manage 4.29mi/kWh. Even the much-vaunted European Car of the Year, the Renault 5 E-Tech small hatchback, can only claim 4.26mi/kWh.

So, aside from the electric CLA’s claimed efficiency levels with outplay all other battery-powered cars, what are the battery-powered alternatives to this latest compact Mercedes four-door coupe. Erm… Unusually, there’s no direct competition wearing an Audi or BMW badge — at least for now — which means casting the net wider.

Doing so produces an unlikely array of alternatives which are, strictly speaking, more saloons than coupes. Those include the handsome BYD Seal, the radical lines of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the visual curiosity that is the forthcoming Kia EV4 Saloon.

Drilling down into the early details, two electrical power choices will be available when this new Mercedes four-door coupe goes on sale — the rear-wheel drive CLA 250+ with EQ Technology has a 272PS motor under the boot floor that generates 335Nm of torque for a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically governed at 130mph.

Offering greater performance still is the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology — its all-wheel drive credentials come courtesy of a second motor driving the front wheels, the total output being 354PS and 260Nm of torque, shaving the 0-62mph benchmark down to 4.9 seconds.

It’s the CLA 250+ that’s the claimed efficiency champion with a provisional driving range of up to 492 miles from its 85kWh battery pack, although the CLA 350 4Matic’s not far behind at 479 miles using the same energy store.

Charging details are a little vague at this stage, but both of the electric Mercedes CLAs can manage an ultra-rapid DC charge of up to 320kW, theoretically enabling a smidge under 202 miles of additional driving range to be added in just 10 minutes.

What’s also significant about the new electric Mercedes CLA is that goes on sale before the petrol-electric hybrid versions that promise diesel-like fuel efficiency. Visually there’s little to separate the two, although the electric versions have a solid, illuminated panel in the nose — complete with 142 three-pointed star logos — where the hybrids feature an open grille to feed air to the combustion engine.

That smooth-surfaced hallmark of the new CLA’s exterior is mimicked inside by its dashboard. When fitted with Mercedes’ new MBUX Superscreen package, its triple display arrangement has the appearance of an ultra-ultra-wide tablet computer, punctuated at either end with circular air vents.

Mercedes has partnered with Google for the integrated navigation system which means the excellence of the software firm’s mapping data can be overlayed with data provided by the car to determine EV-friendly routes as well as ensuring easily accessed public charge points are flagged along the way.

Physical controls appear to be limited to a bank of haptic pads beneath the centre of the screen, with similarly operating areas on the spokes of the steering wheel. We haven’t been especially enamoured by these in other Mercedes, but we’ll reserve judgement until seeing if any improvements have been made in the latest CLA.

With its low, slinky bodywork, the Mercedes CLA with EQ Technology is likely to be just spacious enough for four adults to travel in comfort, but five will likely be a squeeze given the narrower back seat cabin dimensions over its predecessor. At 405 litres the CLA’s boot space is 55 litres less capacious than the outgoing model’s, but there is a front boot with up to 101 litres of extra capacity.

Prices for the electric Mercedes CLA with EQ Technology will be announced later in 2025 with the first customer deliveries expected before the end of the year. Petrol-electric hybrid four-door coupe CLAs, as well as the CLA Shooting Brake estate’s replacement, are likely to follow around six months later.

Keep this page bookmarked for updated news on this important new model and to read our comprehensive electric Mercedes CLA with EQ Technology review in the weeks ahead.