The new 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA made its Malaysian debut this morning at the new Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar showroom, previously known as NZ Wheels Bangsar.
This is a preview of the new CLA, which coincides with the opening of order books – the estimated price is RM295,888 on-the-road without insurance for the sole CLA 250+ with EQ Technology variant. Note that this EV is imported from Germany and duty-free incentives for CBU EVs ended along with the year 2025. The launch will happen in the second quarter of 2026.
Yes, the CLA is now an EV. This third-generation model, codenamed C174, debuted in March 2025 as was designed from the ground up to be an EV. Built on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), it has an 800V electrical architecture that allows for DC fast charging at up to 320 kW.
The new CLA was announced with two fully electric variants (C174 code for EVs, C178 for ICE) – the CLA 250+ with a 272 PS/335 Nm single rear motor, and a CLA 350 that adds a 109 PS front motor for a combined output of 354 PS and 515 Nm. Malaysia gets the CLA 250+, which is good for 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h.
Powering the EV is an 85 kWh (nett) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, which provides WLTP range of 792 km for the CLA 250+. M-B says that the impressive range is boosted by the second-generation Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0) with a two-speed transmission.
The two-speed ‘box offers a better balance of power and efficiency across a wide range of speeds, Stuttgart claims. The first gear is optimised for quick off-the-line acceleration and low-speed efficiency, while the second ratio is used for efficient highway cruising, allowing the motor to run at a lower rpm. Claimed efficiency is very good at 12.2 kWh per 100 km.
As mentioned, the max DC charging rate is an impressive 320 kW, which allows for 325 km of extra range to be added in just 10 minutes of charging – highway pit stops will be very quick. AC charging maxes out at just 11 kW, though. Note that while the CLA is only compatible with 800V DC chargers, MBM claims that it’s not really a big issue in Malaysia where most of our DC chargers are relatively new and compatible with 800V architecture.
The new CLA’s drag is very low at 0.21 Cd, which is Hyundai Ioniq 6 levels without appearing that extreme, or odd like the EQE and EQS. At 4,723 mm long and 1,855 mm wide, the new CLA is 35 mm longer and 25 mm wider than its predecessor, while the 2,790 mm wheelbase is 61 mm longer than the second-gen C118’s. Compared to the original CLA that Malaysians are more familiar with, this is a much larger car.
Boot volume is 405 litres, 55L less than before, but there’s a frunk and it’s a pretty sizeable one too at 101 litres. This cavity is filled by an engine in the hybrid version.
For context, the CLA is about the same length as a Tesla Model 3, but the latter’s wheelbase is 85 mm longer – you can see the difference in the Merc’s overhangs. The Tesla is also wider and has a 28 mm lower roofline, so it might appear sleeker in shape. Mercedes-Benz says that the CLA has evolved beyond the compact class, so here’s another reference point – the CLA is just 28 mm shorter than the W206 C-Class, and the EV is actually 35 mm wider. The C’s wheelbase is 75 mm longer.
The CLA is way flashier than all of the above. You won’t miss the 142 individually-animated LED chrome-effect three-pointed stars in the grille, and you can also find the famous logo in the LED lights at both ends. Speaking of that, the CLA has full-width lights at the front and ‘powerful GT rear’, as you’d expect from an EV in 2026. Of course, flush pop-out door handles too.
The interior highlight is the MBUX Superscreen with three displays that span the width of the dashboard – the wall of screens includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and two 14-inch touchscreens, including one just for the front passenger. All passengers get to enjoy the one-piece fixed glass roof, which has no central brace and extends seamlessly from the windscreen frame to the rear.
The new MB.OS operating system is ‘enhanced by AI’ and connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. The MBUX Virtual Assistant uses ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing searches for general enquiries, switching to Google’s Gemini for navigation-related questions.
Mercedes says that the system can retain context even when jumping between the two AI models, so conversations can continue uninterrupted, and during an active dialogue, it recognises emotions and can respond accordingly. The assistant is represented on screen by an avatar in the form of a three-pointed star, of course.
Anyway, the preview unit you see here is a Singapore-spec car that’s wrapped in red – while this isn’t fully representative of what Malaysia will be getting (we’ll have Multibeam headlights with star DRLs and different wheels, for instance), it’s more or less similar.
We can’t think of many premium-badged compact EVs in the RM300k ballpark, but there’s the BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport. The EV from Munich is much larger, but the Mercedes – just crowned the 2026 European Car of the Year – is a new model with much better EV tech and specs. What do you think of the new CLA?
GALLERY: C174 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Malaysia preview
GALLERY: C174 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Malaysia preview, official pics
GALLERY: C174 Mercedes-Benz CLA official images
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Exterieur: AMG Line Plus, MANUFAKTUR patagonienrot metallic The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: exterior: AMG Line Plus, MANUFAKTUR patagonia red metallic
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA: Exterieur: AMG Line, clear blue metallic The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA: exterior: AMG Line, clear blue metallic
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA: Displayinhalt kann optisch vom Serienstand abweichen; AMG Line, Interieur: Schwarz/Clean White Pearl The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA: Display content may differ visually from the production model; AMG Line, interior: black/clean white pearlmetallic
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA: Exterieur: AMG Line, clear blue metallic The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA: exterior: AMG Line, clear blue metallic
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Exterieur: AMG Line Plus, MANUFAKTUR patagonienrot metallic The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: exterior: AMG Line Plus, MANUFAKTUR patagonia red metallic
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Displayinhalt kann optisch vom Serienstand abweichen; AMG Line Plus, Interieur: Schwarz/Clean White Pearl The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: Display content may differ visually from the production model; AMG Line Plus, interior: black/clean white pearl
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Frunk mit 101l Kapazität The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: frunk with 101l capacity
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Displayinhalt kann optisch vom Serienstand abweichen; AMG Line Plus, Interieur: Schwarz/Clean White Pearl The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: Display content may differ visually from the production model; AMG Line Plus, interior: black/clean white pearl
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA und der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA and the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Exterieur: Edition, AMG Line, kosmosschwarz magno The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: exterior: Edition, AMG Line, cosmos black magno
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Displayinhalt kann optisch vom Serienstand abweichen; Edition, AMG Line, Interieur: Leder tartufobraun The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: Display content may differ visually from the production model; Edition, AMG Line, interior: leather tartufo brown
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA: Displayinhalt kann optisch vom Serienstand abweichen; Edition, AMG Line, Interieur: Leder tartufobraun he all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA: Display content may differ visually from the production model; Edition, AMG Line, interior: leather tartufo brown
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit Hightech-Hybridmotor The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with high-tech hybrid combustion engine
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit Hightech-Hybridmotor The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with high-tech hybrid combustion engine
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- Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit Hightech-Hybridmotor The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with high-tech hybrid combustion engine
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its too big at At 4,723 mm its longer than the E-class from 1990. and why the heck would anyone need 800km range? thats enough to drive from singapore to penang without stopping. such a huge battery just add unnecessary cost and weight
Range 300km you complain, range 800km also you complain. What to complain next? Just fly la why drive lmao
Big battery nevermind but…. NMC
Real world range people reported to be around 500km only in europe
I seat in TV room or car….too many screens so much distracting unless the self driving technology is available then can watch movie inside the car.
It’ll sell relatively well for a MBM product, but the Tesla is still overall a better package at about half the price. I appreciate MBM not pricing this out of reach from the get-go, as under 300k for full CBU EV is competitive for a luxury brand.
The problem is that the definition of a luxury brand is continuing to evolve now with brands like Zeekr really challenging the status quo. What makes a luxury brand like BMW/MB/Volvo a luxury brand compared to Zeekr? Is it simply specs and luxury features, or is it purely price? Honestly, in the past it was probably just price. Luxury brands can price their goods so high that people simply buy them to show that they can. But now the higher-end Chinese carmakers are giving you all the specs, all the softest leather seats, front seat ventilation, and so much more.
It’ll be interesting to see how well this CLA sells in this current landscape. MB really fumbled their EQ series and they really need this CLA to succeed this time around.
Wait for the 100k firesales later.Jokes aside its an ok price with tax..even its big in dimension the interior space is not..smaller than model 3 inside..inefficient use of space is the hallmark of luxury..because every part in the car need to be thick..in the end space became a luxury,want more space,need to upgrade to eqe/eqs..
No the price is not ok at all because if you read the article, the selling price did not include all the CBU taxes yet
idiotic german design, big outside small inside
The CLA250+ & Tesla Model 3 AWD are cars of similar category and they are both priced around 47k USD in the US but here in Malaysia, the CLA250+ goes on sale for a whopping estimated ‘duty-free’ price of RM296k whereas we can get the Model 3 AWD at just RM199k. Unless you’re extremely wealthy with money to spare, the Model 3 AWD is a no-brainer because who the heck is gonna pay a premium of RM100k (to MBM or government) for a car that’s probably worth only around RM200k in reality?
I am wondering how can the 85kw battery can last the 792km until I saw with the two-speed transmission applied. I am wondering is this two-speed transmission need regular oil change like normal ICE. As other sources reported the 2nd gear is designed for high speed. The problem of EV car is only 1 gear and in high speed drive the motor has been in higher rev. This cause the drive range drop steeply.
The 2 speed gear is good to settle the high speed high energy consumption, but if the gear need regular service then it defeat the purpose of EV car which only need minimum maintenance.
The dash reminds me of the mini compo hifi era from Onkyo, Aiwa, etc. Looks a bit much tbh
This one really harga yahudi. Byd seal so much better than this sauerkraut
DOA with that kind of pricing
Wait, this is the lower end version with the single motor that they’re asking almost RM300k? Heck no!! If past CLAs are anything to go by, their interior and fitting quality is bottom barrel, almost China car quality. Might as well save your money buy China car like that.