2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ previewed in Malaysia – C174 EV, 792 km range, 320 kW charging, RM296k

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.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is still waiting for final confirmation of the exact duty rates for CBU EVs and the RRP might change once the government gives an update, but this estimated price is valid for those who book now. 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, and in the case of the CLA 350, the ability to disconnect the front motor. Claimed efficiency is very good at 12.2 kWh/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.

But much less plain. Here, there are 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.

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, official pics