Mercedes calls it the “one-liter” car for a reason. The new Mercedes CLA EV has an impressive EPA range of 374 miles, but in real-world driving, it can go even further.
Mercedes CLA EV beats EPA range in real-world driving
The new CLA EV might just be the most critical Mercedes model yet. It’s the first of the luxury brand’s latest generation of electric vehicles, promising to be much more advanced, efficient, and refined than ever before.
Powered by an 85 kWh battery pack, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ has an EPA-estimated range of 374 miles.
Although that’s already among the highest for any 2026 model-year EV in the US, the electric CLA can drive even further in the real world.
The folks at Edmunds just got their hands on one to test it out. In the Edmunds EV Range Test, the 2026 Mercedes CLA EV crushed its EPA figures, driving an impressive 434 miles on a single charge, beating its official ratings by 16%.
Out of 13 Mercedes models Edmunds has tested, the new CLA EV had the second-longest driving range, trailing only the EQS 450+. However, given that the EQS is a full-size sedan and significantly more expensive than the CLA, it’s expected.
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 Standard went 339 miles, while the 2026 Audi A6 E-tron drove 402 miles during the EV Range Test.
The Edmunds EV Range Test is 60% city and 40% highway driving with an average speed of 40 mph. Each vehicle is set to the most efficient drive setting, while the climate control is set to 72 degrees to reflect the most accurate real-world driving conditions drivers encounter each day.
During the test, the electric CLA used 23.2 kWh per 100 miles of driving, beating the EPA’s estimates by 16.5%.
On the Edmunds EV Charging Test, it had an average charge rate of 193 kW from 10% to 80%, earning a score of 833 miles per hour. That’s the second-best of those tested, behind the Hyundai IONIQ 6.
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA trim | Starting Price* | Driving Range |
| CLA 250+ | $47,250 | 374 miles |
| CLA 350 4MATIC | $49,800 | 312 miles |
The new Mercedes CLA EV is now the least expensive car they’ve tested, with over 400 miles of range. Last week, Mercedes launched the 2026 CLA 250+ EV, starting at $47,250.
Mercedes said it will begin delivering the first customer models this month, with output ramping up throughout early 2026.
Ready to test one out for yourself? We can help you get started. Check out our link to find the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV in your area.
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