The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class EV is the entry point to Mercedes-Benz's electric vehicle lineup, tasked with marrying the brand's luxury ethos with a compelling electric powertrain at an affordable-for-a-Mercedes price. It mostly pulls it off. The rear-wheel-drive CLA250+ offers 268 horsepower and up to 374 miles of driving per charge. The all-wheel-drive CLA350 4Matic bumps output up to 349 horsepower, but its range is lower at 312 miles.
A high-tech—and somewhat gaudy—cockpit can be equipped with up to three screens, including a large touchscreen for the passenger and a head-up display for the driver. The CLA250+ is the base model, packing a 268-hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. A two-speed transmission is standard, rather than the one-speed found in most EVs.
View Price on AmazonWhen we drove the CLA EV in Europe, we found it to offer smooth power and a comfortable ride. The CLA250+ is responsive enough when merging or passing, but the CLA350 is the one to buy if you desire quick acceleration. However, we preferred the CLA250+ model's lighter steering and suspension tune, as the CLA350 feels heavier and less nimble in corners.
In comparison, the CLA EV's acceleration is in line with rivals such as the Tesla Model 3, but more powerful sedans such as the Porsche Taycan and the Lucid Air are much quicker. The CLA EV rides on Mercedes-Benz's new 800-volt architecture. It comes with an 85.0-kWh battery pack, and the EPA estimates that the CLA250+ can travel up to 374 miles before needing a charge.
Source: caranddriver.com
