A year has passed since Mercedes unveiled the Concept CLA Class, offering a glimpse into the future of its most affordable sedan. That future is nearly here, as the compact luxury model is on the brink of production. No longer just a concept, the cheapest Benz sedan has transformed into a production model, albeit still cloaked in artsy camouflage to hide its final design.
Mercedes recently previewed the third-generation CLA during the 39th Festival d'Hyères at Villa Noailles in southeastern France. In the U.S., you won't find the CLA listed under sedans on Mercedes' website. This is because it's classified as a "coupe," and it seems this designation will remain for the next-gen model. The distinctive swoopy roofline is here to stay, giving the CLA a mini CLS feel. Its larger sibling, the CLS, is no longer part of the lineup since Mercedes discontinued it last year.
A closer inspection of the prototype reveals fuel caps on the rear fenders, hinting at a possible plug-in hybrid setup. Alternatively, the fully electric CLA might feature charge ports on both sides for added convenience. The Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) underpinning the new entry-level Benz supports both combustion engines and fully electric powertrains. The extensive camouflage on the front end suggests this could be an EV, especially given the absence of a visible exhaust tip.
While technical specifications are not yet available, the slippery concept promised an impressive 466 miles (750 kilometers) of electric range in the WLTP cycle. The "four-door coupe" showcased technology from the Vision EQXX concept and featured an all-screen dashboard. Two water-cooled battery packs were highlighted, one with a cost-effective lithium-ion phosphate chemistry and the other with silicon-oxide anodes for enhanced energy density. Thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture, the concept could achieve 248 miles (400 kilometers) of range with just 15 minutes of charging.
The CLA is unlikely to be accompanied by another A-Class Sedan, as Mercedes aims to streamline its compact car offerings. However, another wagon, likely named the CLA Shooting Brake, is in the works. This model was teased alongside two crossovers, presumably the new GLA and GLB, at the Concept CLA's debut last year. It remains uncertain whether successors to the A-Class hatchback and B-Class minivan will be developed, but it seems unlikely. Instead, Mercedes plans a "Little G" as a smaller version of the G-Class.
The CLA is expected to be offered in the U.S. for the 2026 model year, following the outgoing model's entry into the 2025MY. Upon its arrival, it will compete against the recently updated Audi A3 Sedan and the upcoming next-gen BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
