Automotive

Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC Review: A 623km EV That Still Feels Like a Proper Benz

Aug 24, 2026

It’s a good day when the number at the centre of the digital dashboard display is 623.

Personally, it’s a high-water mark for a battery-electric car. And, based on my driving time, it’s a real number for the latest Mercedes-Benz CLA.

That’s good news, but even better is that the CLA – a smooth new four-door coupe – has the strengths of an old-school car from the three-point star.

Chinese brands have zip-quick performance numbers, all the ‘bells and whistles’, and tasty showroom pricing, but …

There is still something about the three-pointed star and the vast experience of the world’s oldest carmaker, which just celebrated 140 years in the automotive business.

The CLA is new and smooth, available in five versions with either hybrid or full EV drive, and promises class and quality. With just enough ‘bells and whistles’ to keep the kids entertained.

The CLA 350 4MATIC in my driveway shimmies just under the $100,000 cut-off for costly cars, and is fully equipped including all-wheel drive, but I would be just as happy with the ‘lesser’ CLA 200 at $72,200 with 470 kilometres of range. It would be fine for everyday driving, although the claimed 663 kilometres in the 350 is enticing. Very enticing…

The CLA package is part of a full overhaul of Benz’s baby-car range that will soon include boxier models with more family-friendly cabins and carrying capacity, but starting with the coupe is a familiar way to bait buyers at most luxury showrooms.

The car is compact overall, has a brilliant drag number of 0.21 – great for economy and quietness – and a cabin which is plush and modern, yet still nicely familiar for anyone who knows their Benzes. Although you must remember to duck down to clear your head for back-door entry.

It’s the same with the driving experience, which provides a compliant ride, great quietness and solid sprinting – 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds – as you would expect for $100k.

The feel through the brake pedal can be odd at times, and it took me a while to learn the car’s ‘recuperation’ – other brands call it regeneration – quirks. There are two paddles behind the steering wheel, which can adjust the amount of regenerative braking, remove it totally, or toggle into an ‘intelligent’ mode. The last setting is great, using a two-speed rear differential to allow the car to seemingly glide along the road with minimum input on the accelerator pedal.

Other things to like are ADAS driving systems which don’t fight the driver all the time – I’m looking at you, China – a brilliant Burmeister sound system, truly comfortable seats and great finishing in the cabin, and even a big boot with a 100-litre ‘frunk’ in the nose. Think about the party possibilities with plastic bags and lots of ice …

Standard equipment runs also includes a glass sunroof and three screens in the 350 that fill the whole dashboard space. It’s Chinese-style impressive.

My time with the CLA 350 was relaxing and enjoyable. It’s been a long time since I’ve jumped up early to go for a drive in a test car. Never, in the case of an EV. Until now.

It helped that I was heading to the fast-charge unit near my house, but I took the long way around just to enjoy the quietness and refinement of the CLA. At no time was the all-wheel drive package needed, but some people will want the security for sprinting, sandy roads, and the extra range.

When it came time to charge I finally found a reason for the gidgets and Apps on the dashboard. They would handily fill the hour-long connection to the charging cable, especially if it was during a trip with boredom-prone youngsters on board. And they could also fiddle with the adjustment for the multi-colour cabin lighting system …

I’m still not convinced by the light show in the front end when you unlock the car – it’s a job for Google and 142 individual LEDs – but the CLA is a genuinely good car I would happily recommend to friends.