The Mercedes-Benz CLA has been named Car of the Year 2026, emerging as the clear winner among seven finalists. The four-door coupé from Stuttgart convinced a jury of 62 automotive journalists representing 23 European countries, who announced their decision on 9 January at the Brussels Motor Show.
What ultimately persuaded the judges was the CLA’s dual powertrain strategy, combining full electric and mild hybrid options, together with a deep and comprehensive renewal of a historic model that underwent a major transformation during 2025.
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A Car of the Year also available as Mild Hybrid (not in Scandinavia)
Alongside the electric version, Mercedes-Benz introduced a highly advanced mild hybrid system, which debuted in early 2025 and was later joined, in autumn, by the full range of turbo petrol and hybrid powertrains.
At the heart of this renewal is an all-new modular 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 1.3-litre unit. Designed from scratch, it combines high efficiency—thanks to Miller cycle operation—with intelligently integrated mild hybrid technology.
The electric assistance is positioned directly within the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, enabling electric drive to the wheels. The system can propel the car electrically in all driving situations where the power demand remains below 30 hp (22 kW), drawing energy from a 1.4 kWh battery, unusually large for a mild hybrid setup.
The Electric CLA: benchmark efficiency and exceptional range
The fully electric Mercedes-Benz CLA is built on the MMA platform, featuring an 800-volt electrical architecture designed for market-leading efficiency. Both the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and the CLA 350 4Matic deliver outstandingly low energy consumption, rated at 12.2 and 12.5 kWh/100 km respectively.
Paired with a usable 85 kWh battery, these figures translate into remarkable WLTP ranges:
- 771 km for the CLA 250+ (rear-wheel drive, 272 hp)
- 792 km for the CLA 350 4Matic (dual motor, 353 hp)
Standard AC charging is supported at 11 kW, while DC fast charging reaches up to 320 kW, allowing the recovery of 325 km of range in just 10 minutes.
During driving, energy recuperation plays a central role. The regenerative braking system, adjustable in intensity, can recover up to 200 kW of energy, feeding it back into the battery rather than dissipating it as heat through the brakes.
The other six finalists
Competing with the CLA for the Car of the Year 2026 title were:
The shortlist highlighted several interesting trends. Renault stood out with two finalists—the electric Renault 4 and the Dacia Bigster—confirming the group’s strong momentum after victories in 2024 (Scenic E-Tech) and 2025 (Renault 5 / Alpine A290).
Stellantis was represented by two very different proposals: the Citroën C5 Aircross, built on the STLA Medium architecture with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric options, and the Fiat Grande Panda, offered with turbo petrol, mild hybrid dual-clutch, and electric powertrains.
Dacia’s Bigster marked the brand’s first real step beyond the Duster, entering the C-SUV segment with petrol, LPG bi-fuel and Renault-derived 1.8 E-Tech full hybrid powertrains.
Kia’s EV4, a global electric model available as both a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, targeted European tastes primarily with the hatchback variant.
Finally, the Škoda Elroq, an MEB-based electric C-SUV positioned as the battery-electric counterpart to the Karoq, completed the finalist lineup and underlined Škoda’s expanding EV strategy.
