The test was designed to mirror everyday use: 60 percent city driving and 40 percent highway, with an average speed around 70 km/h. The car ran in its most efficient drive mode, and the climate control was set to 22°C. Under those conditions, the CLA EV consumed 23.2 kWh over 160 km, coming in better than the EPA’s estimates.

Notably, among 13 Mercedes models assessed by the experts, the new CLA ranked second for range, trailing only the larger and pricier EQS 450+. For context, in the same protocol the Tesla Model 3 Standard covered 545 km, while the Audi A6 e-tron reached 647 km. That’s a strong showing for the CLA given its positioning.

Charging performance also stood out: in the 10–80 percent window, average power came to 193 kW, yielding one of the best results in kilometers gained per hour of charging. In the United States, the CLA 250+ starts at $47,250, and, according to the source, first customer deliveries are planned for December, with volumes ramping at the start of 2026.