Mercedes-Benz CLA 2025: Prices, specs and release date

• New Mercedes CLA an EV range of nearly 500 miles
• Also available in mild hybrid petrol guise
• Cutting-edge infotainment technology onboard
• On sale later in 2025

The new Mercedes CLA will become the UK’s longest-range electric car when it launches later in 2025, capable of nearly 500 miles between charges.

But the new Mercedes CLA isn’t ditching petrol entirely, with super-efficient mild hybrid combustion engines also available alongside the all-electric Mercedes CLA.

Set to open for ordering this summer, the new Mercedes CLA has a sleek appearance with an ultra-low Cd drag coefficient of just 0.21. This will help the most efficient electric version average more than 5 miles per kWh of battery charge – notably more efficient than all its rivals.

An 800-volt architecture allows ultra-rapid recharging. The new Mercedes CLA will take on 200 miles of charge in as little as 10 minutes, at a suitably-powerful public charger.

Inside, the design of the new Mercedes CLA is optimised around an optional new MBUX Superscreen, a full-width display beneath a large and eye-catching glass surface. 

The new Mercedes CLA also uses an all-new infotainment system called MB.OS. It is fully-connected and has a range of benefits including a bespoke built-in Google Maps solution, using the tech giant’s Automotive AI Agent.

The new Mercedes CLA will later be available with a mild hybrid petrol engine, which the firm says will allow a decent degree of pure electric urban motoring.

Rivals for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA include the strong-selling BMW i4, the popular Tesla Model 3 and the Hyundai Ioniq 6.

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA prices and release date

The new Mercedes CLA will go on sale in the UK later in 2025. An exact date will be announced nearer to its launch.

Prices will carry a premium over today’s Mercedes CLA, which starts from £32,550 in basic CLA 180 Sport Edition guise.

Expect the new Mercedes CLA to cost upwards of £40,000, with the electric Mercedes CLA likely costing north of £50,000. Later hybrid petrol engine versions will probably be cheaper.

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA styling, interior and technology

The new Mercedes CLA is derived from the striking Concept CLA Class first seen in 2023. Although not as overtly aero-looking as the Mercedes EQE and Mercedes EQS, it still has impressive aerodynamics with a drag coefficient starting from just 0.21.

At the front, the new Mercedes CLA has a sporty shark-nose design, where the upper grill leans ahead of the lower half. Instead of a traditional front décor, it has an illuminated grille with large Mercedes-Benz star logo and a further 142 chrome-effect stars.

The new Mercedes CLA has a long wheelbase and short overhangs, while the GT-style rear end gives it a hunkered-down look. Frameless doors add a sporty design touch, as do door mirrors mounted on the beltline.

The rear diffuser is aerodynamically optimised, along with the range of 10 alloy wheels from 17 to 19 inches. The firm adds that, as is typical for a sporty Mercedes, the licence plate is positioned in the bumper.

Inside, the new Mercedes CLA has, as an option, a dashboard dominated by the new MBUX Superscreen. This is a ‘floating’ screen that extends across the entire width of the interior. Behind the large glass surface are a 10.25-inch driver display and a 14-inch centre touchscreen display – with an additional 14-inch passenger display available as an option.

Regular new Mercedes CLA have yet more illuminated stars on the passenger side.  

The new Mercedes CLA is the first Mercedes to run the in-house MB.OS operating system. It is AI-enhanced and the 'supercomputer' sees every vehicle connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud for regular over-the-air updates.

The MBUX Superscreen is powered by high-performance chips and graphics from the Unity Game Engine. The new Mercedes CLA has a new user interface that claims to "revolutionise the relationship between vehicle and driver."

The new Mercedes CLA is equipped with ChatGPT4o and searches via Microsoft Bing, along with Google Gemini and Google Maps (including the new Automotive AI Agent). A suite of other apps are available – which, for the first time, can be grouped into folders.

The new Mercedes CLA has a centre console that appears to 'float in mid-air.' It is split into two practical levels.

The new Mercedes CLA has a simplified steering wheel, with 'tactile aids' around the symbols, rather than today’s infuriating touch-sensitive controls. The steering wheel is also less overburdened with controls.

The Mercedes CLA has a standard panoramic glass roof, made from a single fixed piece of glass. It boosts headroom and is covered with a heat-insulating layer.

Interestingly, the new Mercedes CLA has a smaller boot than the car it replaces – 405 litres rather than 460 litres. Rear legroom, elbow room and shoulder room are down too, although headroom improves thanks to the panoramic roof.

What’s more, in electric new Mercedes CLA, there is a very large and useful 101-litre ‘frunk’, or front boot.

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA engines, performance, economy and range

The new Mercedes CLA leads with the advanced new electric version, which is available in two guises – CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology. Both have a generous 85kWh battery and an 800-volt electric architecture for ultra-rapid charging.

Using a 320kW ultra-rapid charger, Mercedes says you can add over 200 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

The new Mercedes CLA 250+ EQ has a fantastic range of up to 492 miles, making it one of the longest-range EVs you can buy. Meanwhile, the performance-focused CLA 350 4Matic EQ will accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds.

The new Mercedes CLA also has a two-speed transmission driving the rear wheels. The short first gear is good for acceleration, with the long second gear giving better efficiency in the motorway.

This all points to excellent efficiency for the new Mercedes CLA, with the firm targeting more than 5 miles per kWh of charge. An all-new multi-source heat pump also helps here, boosting its real-world efficiency, particularly in the inclement UK.

Future hybrid-powered new Mercedes CLA will use a 48-volt mild hybrid system, with a 1.3kWh lithium ion battery, enabling a large degree of pure electric urban driving. It allows ‘electric sailing’ when coasting at speeds of up to around 60mph.

The engine in the hybrid new Mercedes CLA will be a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol motor, with combustion via the Miller cycle.

Suspension in the new Mercedes CLA is via a new three-link front axle and new multi-link rear axle, a design first seen on the firm’s larger cars.

Mercedes CLA safety systems include plenty of standard driver assist tech, plus the new MB.Drive Level 2 driver assistance systems. This has tricks such as allowing autonomous lane changes simply with the click of the indicator stalk.

The MB.OS system allows over-the-air updates for driver assistance systems for the first time, which will further enhance safety.

The new Mercedes CLA is the first car in its class to have a front centre airbag as standard.