The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA will be available in two variants: the CLA 250+ and the CLA 350 4MATIC.
The automotive world is buzzing with the latest reveal from Mercedes-Benz—the 2025 CLA, a groundbreaking entry-level sedan that promises to revolutionize the market with its dual electric (EV) and hybrid powertrains. First previewed in 2023, the CLA has now officially debuted, marking a significant shift in Mercedes’ strategy.
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Mercedes-Benz CLA EV: Design and Features
The 2025 CLA is not just about powertrains; it’s also a marvel of modern automotive design. Despite being larger than its predecessor in every dimension, the CLA boasts a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.21, thanks to meticulous aerodynamic enhancements. These include flush-faced alloy wheels, strategically positioned air inlets and outlets, and a streamlined body that minimizes frontal area.
In a first for Mercedes-Benz, the CLA EV and hybrid share identical exterior designs, with subtle differences to distinguish them. The CLA EV features a flush front grille adorned with 142 backlit stars, while the hybrid retains a traditional open grille for engine cooling. Inside, the CLA offers a sportier feel with options like black and white Alcantara upholstery, red stitching, and a dashboard centered around the latest iteration of Mercedes’ Superscreen, which includes multiple digital displays for an immersive driving experience.
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Mercedes-Benz has equipped the new CLA with its latest MB.OS operating system, which integrates artificial intelligence functions from platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Bing. This system enables advanced features like video streaming, gaming, and a virtual assistant that provides accurate answers to driver queries. The CLA also offers impressive storage solutions, with a 405-liter boot and an additional 101-liter frunk for the EV model.
Mercedes-Benz CLA EV: Dual Powertrains and Range
In a bold move, Mercedes-Benz has decided to unify its electric and hybrid models under the common CLA banner. This marks the end of the brand’s approach of developing entirely bespoke EVs alongside their combustion-engined counterparts. Instead, the new CLA has been developed as an EV first, with the hybrid version designed to fit seamlessly within the same framework.
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One of the most impressive aspects of the new CLA is its EV variant. The CLA EV lineup kicks off with the entry-level 250+, boasting an exceptional range of up to 792 kilometers, a figure that eclipses even the flagship EQS sedan. This remarkable range is attributed to Mercedes’ innovative approach to minimizing energy consumption, featuring an 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery that achieves an efficiency figure exceeding 9.0km/kWh.
The CLA EV’s performance is equally noteworthy, thanks to a new rear-mounted permanent magnet motor. This motor is lighter, more compact, and produces greater torque density, all while being paired with a Porsche Taycan-style two-speed gearbox. The result is an output of 272 horsepower, allowing the CLA 250+ to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. For those seeking even more power, the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology offers a combined output of 354 horsepower and a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 4.9 seconds.
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Charging the Mercedes-Benz CLA EV is a breeze, too. Thanks to its 800V electrical architecture, the vehicle can be rapid-charged at rates up to 320kW, allowing for a 300-kilometer top-up in just 10 minutes. An additional 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack will also be available at a later date, providing even more options for eco-conscious drivers.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid: Diesel-Level Efficiency
Mercedes-Benz is equally proud of the new CLA Hybrid, which combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with a small 1.3kWh battery and a 27-horsepower electric motor. This hybrid powertrain delivers either 136 or 163 horsepower to the front wheels, or up to 191 horsepower to all four wheels in the range-topping 4Matic model. Remarkably, Mercedes claims that the hybrid achieves “diesel levels of fuel efficiency,” positioning it as a highly economical option for discerning drivers.
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Launch and Availability
The Mercedes-Benz CLA will first hit the market in its EV form around October 2025 in Europe, with the hybrid version following shortly after. Additionally, a new CLA estate variant with both powertrain options is expected to debut at the Munich Motor Show in September 2025. Indian consumers can look forward to the CLA sedan’s arrival sometime next year, making this innovative vehicle accessible to a wider audience.