When we first drove the all-new, all-electric Mercedes-Benz CLA, we came away impressed with its smooth powertrain and its promise of a substantial real-world range. We’ve now subjected it to our real-world performance and efficiency tests to see if it delivers on that promise.

Mercedes CLA 250+ exterior design and engineering – 8/10

Polarising, aero-efficient design; based on new MMA platform.

The new CLA has been designed with efficiency very much in mind, but Mercedes hasn’t completely abandoned the visual character that made the original car appealing. Its smooth, rounded silhouette is familiar from other Mercedes EVs, yet the low-slung, coupé-like roofline and frameless doors give it a distinct identity. Flush-fitting door handles, a sealed-off grille, aero-optimised 18-inch AMG alloys and a fully sealed underbody all contribute to an exceptionally slippery shape, with a drag coefficient of just 0.21Cd.

Mercedes’ three-pointed star features prominently across the CLA, appearing on the bonnet, grille, headlamps and tail-lamps. The grille itself gets 142 illuminated stars, which might sound excessive on paper, but they do give the CLA a distinctive look and, in person, seem to work rather well.

More significant, however, is what lies underneath. The CLA EV is the first Mercedes to use the new Modular Architecture (MMA) skateboard platform, which will also underpin future models. At over 4.7m long, more than 1.8m wide and over 1.4m tall, with a wheelbase approaching 2.8m, it is roughly the same size as a BYD Seal.

Mercedes CLA 250+ interior space and comfort – 7/10

Impresses with tech and quality; cramped rear with high floor.

The CLA makes a good first impression inside. Its doors open wide for easy access, while the cabin combines smart design with good materials and build quality. The CLA 250+ is offered in AMG Line trim, so you get a flat-bottomed AMG steering wheel, sporty metal pedals and AMG-spec upholstery.

The dashboard is dominated by a large gloss-black panel housing the digital displays. The graphics are sharp, the interface is clean, and the system is easy to navigate. What isn’t quite as convincing is the near-total absence of physical controls. Apart from a few capacitive shortcuts for functions such as volume and drive modes, most functions are accessed through the touchscreen, which isn’t ideal while on the move.

The third passenger display offered in the 250+ Launch Edition has been omitted here, with its place taken by a gloss-black panel featuring illuminated Mercedes stars. The turbine-style air vents at either end of the dashboard are a nice touch, though, and are particularly satisfying to operate.

There is decent storage, too. You get a large glovebox, storage beneath the centre armrest, bottle holders in the doors and a floating centre console with cupholders and a wireless charger on top, along with a large storage area underneath.

The front seats are supportive and well padded, although larger occupants might find them a little snug. More importantly, the relatively high floor means you sit with your knees raised even in the front. At the rear, this issue is more pronounced.

Although the CLA has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor, which improves knee room, the battery beneath the floor eats into under-thigh support and results in a knees-up seating position. The upright backrest and sloping roofline further compromise comfort, particularly for taller passengers. There is a centre armrest with cupholders and dedicated rear AC vents, but this still isn’t a car we’d recommend for regular chauffeur-driven use.

There is a large fixed panoramic glass roof that does make the cabin feel more spacious. Mercedes says the glass is heat-insulated, but a sunshade would have been welcome, particularly in our climate. It also misses sunblinds for the rear windows, meaning the rear AC has to work particularly hard to keep the back of the cabin cool.

Boot space stands at a useful 405 litres. More interestingly, the CLA gets a 101-litre front trunk – the first time Mercedes has offered a frunk on one of its EVs.

Mercedes CLA 250+ features and safety – 9/10

Packed with cutting-edge tech and features; no seat ventilation.

The CLA is a showcase for Mercedes’ latest technology. Four supercomputers provide the computing power, which Mercedes says is more than 200 times that of the previous CLA. It is also the first Mercedes to use the company’s new MB.OS infotainment operating system.

An Nvidia processor allows for quick responses, while over-the-air updates mean the system can be updated without a visit to the workshop. There’s also a new MBUX Virtual Assistant, which learns about the driver, including their language, accent and mood. It uses AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing, to further make your life easier, and you can ask them to do just about anything from setting navigation to changing the AC and so much more.

The CLA also gets the new MB.Charge app, which brings charging providers together in one place. It can locate chargers, show their real-time availability, help plan a journey and even handle payment for a charging session.

The feature list is extensive. Highlights include a 14-inch central touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, powered, heated and massaging front seats, dual-zone climate control, configurable ambient lighting, a panoramic glass roof, Burmester 3D audio, wireless phone charging and auto parking. Ventilated front seats, however, aren’t offered.

Safety equipment is comprehensive, with six airbags, a 360-degree camera and Level 2+ ADAS, which Mercedes calls MB.Drive. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking and semi-autonomous driving functions. The system uses a combination of radar sensors and cameras and didn’t feel overly intrusive; better than previous Mercs, which feel trigger-happy with emergency braking. The CLA was also the safest car tested by Euro NCAP in 2025.

Mercedes CLA 250+ performance and refinement – 9/10

Smooth, progressive powertrain; refinement is impressive.

The CLA 250+ uses a rear-mounted electric motor producing 272hp and 335Nm. Performance is brisk, but what stands out more than outright acceleration is the way it delivers its performance.

Unlike some performance EVs that deliver power aggressively from the moment you bury the accelerator, the CLA builds speed in a smooth, progressive manner. The power delivery is linear, and there’s always enough performance on tap. Sport mode sharpens the response, while synthesised sounds played through the speakers add a little more theatre.

In our performance tests, it managed a 0-100kph time of 6.6sec in Sport mode, narrowly beating the claimed time of 6.7sec. Rolling acceleration is impressive too, with 20-80kph in Sport taking 3.68sec, and 40-100kph being dealt with in 4.26sec. Naturally, performance in the Comfort and Eco drive modes is more sedate than Sport, with the difference between the former two being almost negligible. 

Mercedes has also opted for a two-speed gearbox, which is unusual for an EV, but makes sense here. The short 11:1 first gear helps with initial acceleration, while the taller 5:1 second gear is intended to improve efficiency at higher speeds. And from behind the wheel, you can feel when it shifts gears. Mercedes claims a drivetrain efficiency of 93 percent, and that plays an important role in the CLA’s impressive range.

The new brake-by-wire system is another area where the CLA makes a big improvement over older Mercedes EVs. Brake response is reassuring, with a good bite and a natural, consistent feel. In our braking test, the CLA came to a halt from 80kph in 26.49m despite it being on a damp surface.

There are four levels of regenerative braking, including a one-pedal mode and an adaptive setting. They work well, with the Normal setting bringing it from 80-20kph in 311.56m, while the Strong setting takes 96.36m for the same. It’s worth noting, however, that Mercedes has moved the controls for the regen from the steering-mounted paddles used on some EVs to the gear selector stalk. You push or pull the stalk to change the regen level, and this isn’t quite as intuitive. The same stalk also incorporates the start/stop button.

Where the CLA really impresses is refinement. The absence of an engine obviously helps, but Mercedes has also done an excellent job of keeping wind and road noise out. At speed, the cabin remains remarkably quiet. A CLA 200 variant is also available in India, using the same rear-mounted motor layout but producing a lower 224hp and 335Nm. However, we’re yet to test this version.

Mercedes CLA 250+ range and efficiency – 9/10

Low drag, efficient powertrain mean superb real-world range.

Mercedes claims a WLTP range of 792km from the 85kWh (net) NMC battery, although, predictably, the real-world range is lower. In the city, with the regen set to the strongest mode, it delivered an efficiency of 6.87km/kWh that translates to a range of 584km. On the highway, with the regen set to ‘Normal’, it delivered an efficiency of 7.52km/kWh for a 640km range. With an average efficiency of 7.2km/kWh, you can expect a real-world range of 612km on a single charge, which is very impressive.

In the city, the strongest regen setting enabled it to recoup energy effectively, which helped boost efficiency, while the two-speed gearbox, with its taller 5:1 second gear, enabled greater efficiency at higher speeds and thus contributed to the EV’s highway efficiency. Combined with the low 0.21Cd drag coefficient and the normal regen mode that allows for more coasting, it proved even more efficient on the highway, which isn’t usually the case with EVs.

The CLA 250+ uses an 800V electrical architecture and supports charging at up to 320kW, but chargers capable of delivering that output remain few and far between in India. In our charging test using a 150kW DC fast charger, we saw an average charging speed of around 92kW with a peak charging speed of 125kW. To charge from 20-80 percent, it took 35 minutes and consumed 53.89kWh in total. This, combined with the efficiency and large real-world range, should make long-distance driving relatively stress-free.

Mercedes CLA 250+ ride comfort and handling – 8/10

Strikes a mature balance between ride and handling.

The CLA’s rear-wheel-drive layout gives it an enjoyable character on a winding road, and the steering is one of its stronger points. With no drive being sent through the front wheels, it feels precise, building up weight progressively with speed. It’s light enough at low speeds to make manoeuvring easy, yet gains enough weight as you go faster.

Mercedes has increased the Euro-spec CLA’s 107mm ground clearance for India and made suspension changes to better suit our roads, and both have worked. There’s enough clearance to deal with regular-sized speed breakers, while the additional height hasn’t really compromised the car’s handling or comfort. Around corners, the CLA remains agile, and body roll is well controlled. The ride does have a hint of firmness to it, but it deals with road imperfections without fuss and feels composed at both low and high speeds. Overall, it’s a mature combination of ride comfort, stability and handling.

Mercedes CLA 250+ value for money – 8/10

Refined and efficient powertrain, long range and sorted ride and handling make it Merc’s best EV yet.

Priced at Rs 60.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the CLA 250+ is a fairly compelling proposition, considering what it brings to the table. There are shortcomings, most notably the cramped rear seat, knees-up seating even at the front, and the absence of sunshades for the panoramic roof and rear windows. But if you’re going to drive yourself and want a luxury EV that’s distinctive, the CLA makes a strong case for itself.

Its powertrain is smooth and refined, its efficiency is excellent, it has an impressive real-world range of over 600km, and it strikes a very good balance between ride comfort and handling. Add to that a cabin packed with cutting-edge tech, and the new CLA emerges as one of the company’s most accomplished EVs yet.