Introducing the 2026 Mercedes CLA: Your First Look at the Budget-Friendly Sedan

A year has passed since Mercedes uncovered the Concept CLA Class, offering a look into the future of its entry-level sedan. The launch of the compact luxury vehicle is imminent, as it has transitioned from a concept to a production model, now featuring artistic camouflage to obscure the final design.

Last weekend, Mercedes showcased the third-generation CLA at the 39th Festival d’Hyères, held at the Villa Noailles in southeastern France. In the United States, the CLA is categorized as a “coupe,” and it seems that classification will continue with the next-generation model. Retaining its sleek roofline, the CLA evokes a mini CLS aesthetic, while its larger counterpart was discontinued last year.

Examining the prototype closely reveals fuel caps on the rear fenders, hinting at the possibility of a plug-in hybrid. Alternatively, if the fully electric CLA is designed with charge ports on both sides for convenience, that could explain the feature. The new entry-level Benz will be based on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), which supports both combustion engines and fully electric powertrains.

The heavy camouflage on the front end suggests that this prototype is likely an electric vehicle. The lack of a visible exhaust tip further indicates that the CLA is not equipped with a gasoline engine. Its styling appears to follow an evolutionary path, closely resembling the Concept CLA Class introduced at the IAA show in Munich in September 2023.

While specific technical details remain undisclosed, the concept promised an impressive 466 miles (750 kilometers) of electric range based on the WLTP cycle. This “four-door coupe” incorporated technology from the Vision EQXX concept, featuring an all-screen dashboard.

It was equipped with two water-cooled battery packs: one utilizing cost-effective lithium-ion phosphate chemistry and the other with silicon-oxide anodes for enhanced energy density. Benefiting from an 800-volt electrical architecture, the concept required just 15 minutes of charging to achieve a range of 248 miles (400 kilometers).

Mercedes is unlikely to introduce another A-Class Sedan, as the brand aims to simplify its compact car lineup. However, a new wagon, potentially called the CLA Shooting Brake, is expected to join the lineup.

This was hinted at during the debut of the Concept CLA last year, alongside two new crossovers, likely the updated GLA and GLB. Whether successors for the A-Class hatchback and B-Class minivan will be produced remains uncertain, but plans for a “Little G,” a smaller G-Class variant, are in the works.

Anticipated for the 2026 model year in the United States, the CLA will follow the outgoing model, which has already transitioned to the 2025 model year. Upon its arrival, it will compete with the recently refreshed Audi A3 Sedan and the upcoming next-generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, set to debut soon.