The all-new electric CLA is crowned the “Car of the Year 2026”
9 January 2026
- Gorgeous, effortless, intuitive, flexible – and award winning: The new CLA adds “Car of the Year 2026” to its impressive roster of more than ten awards from around the world
- The new CLA continues to impress in awards – and is a popular hit with customers, too
Stuttgart. The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been awarded “Car of the Year 2026” by the European Car of the Year jury at a ceremony at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium. The new CLA combines stunning design, advanced safety, and dynamic performance, redefining what’s possible in its segment. It is the smartest, most flexible Mercedes-Benz yet delivered, and it’s ready to transform every journey into something extraordinary.
The new CLA is a game-changer, setting new benchmarks in intelligence, efficiency and design. With its groundbreaking MB.OS operating system and next-generation MBUX powered by AI, the new CLA delivers an effortless, intuitive driving experience that gives customers a true “Welcome home.” feeling. Its electric variant boasts an extraordinary range - up to 792 kilometres1 - making every journey seamless and worry-free. And when customers do eventually need to charge, its 800V technology can add up to 325km of range in just 10 minutes1.
On sale in Europe since mid-2025, and arriving in the USA and many other countries soon, the CLA has already proved incredibly successful. Electrified by its recognition from international media, customer orders exceed our expectations and our order bank is already filled until well into the second half of 2026. At the start of a jubilee year celebrating 140 years of innovation since Carl Benz invented the automobile in 1886, this award is the first highlight in what will be a full calendar of events.
“The new CLA was named Car of the Year 2026 — a proud moment for Mercedes‑Benz. Jurors from across Europe have confirmed what our customers have been telling us: the CLA is a game-changer, delivering outstanding efficiency and effortless intelligence.”
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG
With remarkably low consumption figures and an impressive range for any class of car, CLA raises everyday electric mobility to a new level. With a range of up to 792 kilometres according to WLTP (CLA 250+ with EQ Technology, combined energy consumption: 14.1–12.2 kWh/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A)1, this 200 kW model can travel, for example, from Berlin to Brussels, or from Bremen to Munich without stopping to charge. It is the “one-litre car” for the electric era.
This international recognition by 60 leading automotive journalists from 23 countries underscores the innovative strength of the Mercedes-Benz CLA, which prevailed against 34 other new models and six finalists with 320 points.
Contact:
Mercedes-Benz UK Press Office: press.office@mercedes-benz.com
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Mercedes-Benz AG at a glance
Mercedes‑Benz AG is part of the Mercedes‑Benz Group AG with a total of around 175,000 employees worldwide and is responsible for the global business of Mercedes‑Benz Cars and Mercedes‑Benz Vans. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. The product portfolio comprises the Mercedes‑Benz brand with Mercedes‑AMG, Mercedes‑Maybach and G‑Class with their all-electric models as well as products of the smart brand. Mercedes‑Benz AG is one of the world's largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars. In 2024 it sold around 2,4 million passenger cars and vans. In its two business segments, Mercedes‑Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with more than 30 production sites on four continents, while gearing itself to meet the requirements of electric mobility. At the same time, the company is constructing and extending its global battery production network on three continents. As sustainability is the guiding principle of the Mercedes‑Benz strategy and for the company itself, this means creating lasting value for all stakeholders: for customers, employees, investors, business partners and society as a whole. The basis for this is the sustainable business strategy of the Mercedes‑Benz Group. The company thus takes responsibility for the economic, ecological and social effects of its business activities and looks at the entire value chain.
1 The stated values were determined in accordance with the prescribed WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure) measurement procedure. The ranges given refer to the European market. The energy consumption and CO2 emissions of a car depend not only on the car’s efficient use of the fuel or energy source, but also on driving style and other non-technical factors.
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Originally published by Mercedes-Benz
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