2026 Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic real world range test
Mercedes has been building the CLA for over a decade now and in most markets it’s the most affordable way of getting into a Benz. However, it is still perceived as a premium vehicle with serious prowess and remains a desired purchase on the second-hand market.
After first introducing its EV models under the EQ model line, Mercedes decided to not differentiate the electric CLA from the ICE one in terms of naming or styling and we’ll have to wait and see if that’s a better idea. Today we’re testing the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic, which comes with 354 hp, 382 lb-ft and a huge-for-the-segment 85 kWh battery.
The CLA 250+ version will certainly get better endurance as it has the same battery, but one fewer motor, but the 350 did impressively as well.
We drove our test routes, doing the same track both ways at constant speeds at the same place as with every other car we tested. The ambient temperature while testing the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic was 54°F, which is a bit lower than ideal, but thankfully the widget at the bottom of the article can help with that offset.
At our lowest testing speed of 37 mph, the Mercedes CLA is among the top performers in the category. It precisely matches the Tesla Model 3 LR for efficiency, which will be a recurring theme. Here, at this low speed where aerodynamics don’t play as much, the 250+ version will likely be a lot better as the single motor will require less energy to move forward. With smaller wheels the result of the 350 4Matic can be improved as well. But even as it's now the CLA is the third-longest-going car we've tested.
Range test results
- 37 mph
- 56 mph
- 81 mph
Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic
Tesla Model 3 LR
Hyundai Ioniq 6 LR AWD
Volkswagen ID.7 Pro
Tesla Model S 75D (2018, used)
Polestar 2
Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG 43 4Matic
At 56 mph, consumption doesn’t increase significantly. Low drag means the efficiency is once again outstanding and the big battery means the CLA can easily outrun the Tesla Model 3.
At the highest testing speed of 81 mph, the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic dropped to fourth place, but it ties the Tesla once again for the title of most efficient at that speed. Thanks to the extremely low drag coefficient (0.21 Cd), the results we got are applaudable.
Mercedes has done a masterclass in efficiency and has drastically improved the driving experience compared to the original EQ lineup. The CLA is a much more modern and advanced vehicle that can go huge distances on a single charge. For the segment, there isn’t a better performer yet and if you’re pushing for maximum efficiency and range, there is no better option out there.
However, there is one major flaw you have to know before buying. As standard, you get to charge only on 800V public chargers and the vehicle cannot use 400V ones. This means that if you go on a long trip, you’ll have to carefully plan the chargers you’ll need to use.
Despite the fact that most new chargers support 800V charging, this is a huge oversight on Mercedes’ side. Especially when the built-in navigation can point you towards an unsupported station, this can turn into a big problem if there are no alternatives nearby and you’re running out of battery.
That aside, the Mercedes CLA is a wonderful proposition for a combination of a daily driver and a long-distance cruiser. Our detailed review will focus more on the other characteristics but as far as efficiency goes, there is no better EV on the market yet.
We now suggest you use the widget below to find out the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.
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