Your guide to the 2026 Mercedes CLA Electric Saloon car lease

The 2026 Mercedes CLA Electric Saloon car lease - Your guide

Progression and evolution in the electric car world is certainly ongoing, with 2025 being a year where we are seeing more 300-mile real world ranges and ultra-rapid charging times of circa 10-15 minutes.

To some extent it does feel like we are “here” as in we have now reached that promised land where vehicles are able to perform in a way which means they are wholly suitable for our needs and requirements. Since mass-adoption in 2020, we have been lucky enough to witness incredible innovations across the industry as a whole with vehicles, charge points, energy tariffs and procurement processes all continuing to improve.

For those buying into the process, like Mercedes with their new CLA EV, they are creating a sustainable and popular product to enjoy in the medium to long term. But not all manufacturers are perhaps enjoying the same type of success.

As per the recent BBC article Ford are a brand which are perhaps finding their feet with the world of battery technology. As mentioned in the article, a near £15 billion profit hit is being remediated by a turn away from electric vehicles and a move towards more profitable hybrid and combustion focused vehicles.

Already in the USA, new rules have seen EV plans thwarted as the Trump administration seems to redeploy focus on other aspects of the market. With the European Commission suggesting that the 2035 plans for 100% of new cars to be electric are to be repurposed to 90% electric by 2035, demand for Ford EVs may also be impacted.

The Ford initiatives to move into an electric pickup truck and further electric vans have also been curtailed. For manufacturers, the changing political and economic guidelines and infrastructure can have an impact on their ability to flourish. But manufacturers have to take accountability for their product, battery technology and design, with Ford being one brand which does deserve the critique.

While the Mach-E was a robust entry, its higher price point really needed a cheaper alternative to arrive. It was only in 2025 that the Puma EV came into the market to supplement the Explorer and Capri, neither of which are particularly market leading or exciting. This is why understanding the market and making cars that customers want (as opposed to making cars you want customers to have) needs to be the prerogative.

Even Mercedes have had to find their feet with BEVs, having effectively moved away from their “EQ A/B/C/E” approach and moved back to the traditional reference like the CLA and GLC. Indeed, the German group are now reverting to making the traditionally popular vehicles which helped make them so memorable, only with the presence of lithium-ion batteries as opposed to a combustion engine.

A “class of its own” the CLA EV is very much a next-generation BEV with style, architecture and finish which epitomises luxury and quality. Distinctively sporty, the illuminated front grille, panoramic roof, MBUX superscreen, MB.OS intelligence and dedicated Modular Architecture are a new era of electric driving.

The distinctive 800V capability is an element which deserves recognition, as this is Mercedes identifying that customers need access to the quickest and most efficient chargers in the public network To get an optimal charge, if your vehicle is 800V, as opposed to 400V, you will be able to access those charge points which allow 250kW+ sessions.

To help Mercedes electric customers, the navigation with Electric Intelligence features an algorithm which optimises where you charge (and when). As the new CLA EV can charge up to 320kW DC (peak), this means a 10 - 20 minute session will add between 35% - 70% of the charge you need. With brands like Mercedes now offering this facility, others will follow to help provide customers with the fastest possible charging sessions and overcome what has been a purported obstacle to the EV transition.

The 2026 CLA is some machine, with incredible specification: 

•  Sport Edition - from £45,615 this includes comfort suspension, 18” alloys, panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, mirror package, privacy glass, progressive body styling, 4-way electric lumbar support, comfort seats, heated seats climate control, 10.25” driver display, 14” central display, MB sound system, selfie and video camera, front/rear parking assist, reversing camera, navigation and Apple CarPlay;

• AMG Line Edition - from £49,375 this includes 18” AMG alloys, AMG bodystyling, flush door handles, keyless go, ambient lighting (64 colours), sports seats, multifunction steering wheel and wireless charging system in the front; 
•  AMG Line Premium Edition - from £51,770 this adds 19” alloys, AMG bodystyling, multibeam LED headlights, memory function seat, adaptive high beam assist and MBUX Entertainment; and
• AMG Line Premium Plus Edition - from £53,120 this upgrades the 19” alloys, boot lid convenience, MBUX Superscreen (twin 14” screens) and thermatronic climate.  

The key colours include night black, aqua mint, sapphire blue, alpine grey, polar white, cosmos black, high-tech silver and Patagonia red. Options include the trailer coupling, all-season mats and the boot tub.

How does the new Mercedes CLA Electric Saloon perform?

•  250+  - with a usable battery of 85 kWh this RWD offers 200 kW (268hp), top speeds of 130 mph and 0-62 times of 6.7 seconds. Real-world ranges suggest a combined 300 miles in colder weather with warmer temperatures to allow for 420 miles (on a full charge) - 360 miles combined . The 11kW AC allows for 0-100% charging times of 9 hours and 15 min with the 320kW DC enabling 10-80% in 22 minutes. The saloon has no confirmed Bidirectional charging. It has a 171 mpg equivalent, 405L cargo volume and offers towing capacities of 750kg (unbraked) and 1500kg (braked). The heat pump is standard.

In terms of the car shown, the Mercedes CLA 250+ 200kW EQ Tech AMG Line Edition 85kWh 4dr Auto, this is based on the following configuration:

•  Metallic - Sapphire blue
•  Artico man-made leather/Microcut microfibre - Black
•  18 AMG 5 spoke light alloy wheels aerodynamically optimised painted in high gloss black with high sheen finish 

Need more help and advice on your new Mercedes CLA Electric Saloon for 2025 / 2026?

Head to the Mercedes brand website to build your perfect option then visit our Mercedes CLA 250+ deals section  or just contact us on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]