Crossovers and SUVs could have taken over, however Mercedes insists there’s nonetheless room within the luxurious phase for a great ol’ wagon. The CLA lives to see a next-generation mannequin and retains the naming misdemeanor by carrying the Taking pictures Brake moniker as soon as once more. It has too many doorways to be a real capturing brake, however however, we’re glad the long-roof mannequin troopers on for a 3rd iteration.
As much as the B-pillars, it’s similar to the CLA “coupe,” retaining the unibrow look in case you spring for the non-compulsory mild strip. As a substitute of a conventional grille, it will get a black panel with 142 illuminated three-pointed stars. Mercedes was capable of forgo the entrance grille as a result of there’s no engine below the hood that requires cooling. Sure, it is a absolutely electrical CLA Taking pictures Brake. Nonetheless, a mild-hybrid mannequin with a gasoline engine can also be deliberate.
Picture by: Mercedes-Benz
Though we’re not enamored with the automobile’s profile, we’d nonetheless choose the prolonged CLA over the GLA crossover. Mercedes is stretching the definition of a compact automobile by making the brand new wagon even larger than its predecessor. At 185.9 inches (4723 millimeters) lengthy, 73 in (1855 mm) large, and 57.8 in (1469 mm) tall, it’s 1.3 in (35 mm) longer, 1 in (25 mm) wider, and 1.1 in (27 mm) taller than earlier than.
Moreover, the wheelbase has been elongated by 2.4 in (61 mm) to 109.8 in (2790 mm). Weight isn’t talked about, but it surely’s undoubtedly a porker. The twin-motor CLA sedan weighs 4,706 kilos (2,135 kilograms), and logic means that the equal wagon can be barely heavier as a consequence of its bigger format.
Regardless of being an even bigger automobile than the mannequin it replaces, the 2026 CLA Taking pictures Brake is definitely much less sensible within the again, presumably as a result of batteries. Cargo quantity with the rear seats in place drops by 1 cubic foot (30 liters) to 16 cubic ft (455 liters). Fold down the 40:20:40-split bench and the quantity grows to 45.5 cubic ft (1,290 liters), or 2.1 cubic ft (60 liters) lower than its predecessor. Nonetheless, Mercedes compensates for the downgraded rear cargo compartment by including a entrance trunk that accommodates 3.5 cubic ft (101 liters).
Profiting from the prolonged roof is an enormous, one-piece panoramic glass panel stretching from the windscreen body all the way in which to the black rear spoiler. Even on a sizzling summer season day, the inside gained’t really feel like a sauna, because of the CLA Taking pictures Brake’s heat-insulating laminated security glass that includes an infrared-reflecting and low-emissivity (LowE) coating on the within. The latter additionally pays dividends in winter by decreasing warmth loss. The panoramic glass roof is illuminated by 158 stars embedded within the glass floor, color-coordinated with the ambient lighting.
Picture by: Mercedes-Benz
A rising pattern amongst vehicles is to supply a dimmable panoramic roof. Mercedes means that you can swap from opaque to clear in 10–20 milliseconds, however requires you to make use of the infotainment system. As with the common CLA, the Taking pictures Brake is all about shows, combining a 14-inch touchscreen with a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Clients will pay additional so as to add a 14-inch show for the entrance passenger. With out it, that part of the dashboard incorporates backlit stars since you apparently cannot have sufficient of these. An non-compulsory head-up show can also be supplied.
Mercedes intends to initially promote the CLA Taking pictures Brake in 250+ and 300 4Matic electrical flavors. Each share a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack with an 85-kWh usable vitality content material. The previous can journey 473 miles (761 kilometers) on a single cost, whereas the latter can cowl 454 miles (730 kilometers). For those who’re working low on battery juice, DC charging for 10 minutes at 320 kW will allow 193 miles (310 kilometers) of vary for the CLA 250+ and 186 miles (300 kilometers) for the CLA 300 4Matic.
The one-motor variant presents 268 horsepower and 247 pound-feet (335 Newton-meters) of torque, good for 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds and a prime pace of 130 mph (210 km/h). Step as much as the all-wheel-drive variant, and Mercedes will reward you with 349 hp and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm). The additional oomph cuts the dash time to 5 seconds flat, however the prime pace stays unchanged.
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Supply: Mercedes-Benz
These two electrical variations would be the first to hit Europe in March 2026, when further EV variants will be a part of the lineup. Across the similar time, a less expensive mild-hybrid that includes a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine will launch as effectively. It’ll be powered by a transversely mounted M252 four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. It ought to mirror the CLA sedan by coming in each front- and all-wheel-drive configurations and two outputs.
We’re asking Mercedes-Benz USA whether or not the CLA Taking pictures Brake is coming to North America, however we’re not holding our breath, seeing as how the earlier two generations had been forbidden fruits. In different markets the place will probably be bought, this automobile gained’t have any direct rivals to fret about. BMW doesn’t promote a 2 Sequence wagon, Audi gained’t deliver an A3 Avant to market, and the Volkswagen Arteon Taking pictures Brake was discontinued firstly of the yr.
The one adversary probably on the horizon is the rumored i3 Touring, however BMW hasn’t confirmed it but.
