Mercedes-Benz Opens UK Order Books for First-Ever Electric CLA Shooting Brake

Mercedes-Benz has officially opened UK ordering for the all-new CLA Shooting Brake, marking a significant milestone for the brand as it introduces its first estate model powered exclusively by an electric drivetrain. Announced today, the sleek, coupé-inspired EV arrives in two launch configurations—CLA 250+ and CLA 350 4MATIC—with first customer deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 .

The CLA Shooting Brake expands Mercedes-Benz’s growing family of compact electric vehicles and represents the latest step in the company’s broader software-led and electric-first strategy. While the CLA nameplate has long been associated with the brand’s more style-driven offerings, the transition to an all-electric estate format signals an effort to blend design-led appeal with enhanced practicality—an increasingly important combination in a market where premium EVs are expected to do it all.

UK pricing and model structure

Prices for the CLA Shooting Brake start at £47,750 for the entry-level CLA 250+ in Sport specification. The line-up progresses through Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive and AMG Line Premium, topping out with AMG Line Premium Plus, where the range extends to £60,785 for the CLA 350 4MATIC flagship. As with the wider Mercedes-Benz portfolio, the models can be ordered via the Mercedes-Benz Online Showroom or through the company’s network of UK agents.

Five trim levels are available from launch, offering a broad spread of equipment for buyers prioritising value, technology, or comfort. Even the entry-level Sport variant includes a 14-inch central display, LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Adaptive Distance Control DISTRONIC, and an integrated selfie and video camera—a feature that continues Mercedes’ push to position its cars as mobile digital devices as much as transport tools.

Sport Executive adds features such as heat-insulating dark-tinted glass, flush-fitting door handles, KEYLESS-GO, ambient lighting with 64 colours, and wireless mobile charging. AMG Line models introduce more dynamic exterior styling, sports seats, and Nappa leather sports steering wheels. Higher-tier models receive Mercedes-Benz’s new MBUX Superscreen—standard from AMG Line Premium upwards—a dual-display setup that adds a second 14-inch screen ahead of the front passenger.

At the top of the range, AMG Line Premium Plus layers in an extensive equipment list including MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, the Winter Package with heated steering wheel, a Burmester 3D Surround Sound System, a head-up display, and the PRE-SAFE preventive safety system.

First electric estate in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio

Crucially, the CLA Shooting Brake becomes the first estate bodystyle in the Mercedes-Benz lineup to be offered solely as an EV from launch. The format is particularly noteworthy in a market where traditional estate cars have steadily declined in favour of SUVs. Mercedes-Benz argues that the Shooting Brake approach allows it to retain saloon-like elegance while offering family-friendly levels of storage.

Practicality figures support the positioning. The EV provides up to 1,290 litres of luggage capacity, complemented by an additional 101-litre ‘frunk’ for charging cables or smaller items. This places the CLA Shooting Brake among the more versatile compact EVs currently on sale, undercutting many electric SUVs on overall height while still delivering substantial cargo space.

In-house electric drive system with two-speed transmission

Both the CLA 250+ and CLA 350 4MATIC are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery using nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry. The electric drive unit (EDU) mounted on the rear axle produces 200 kW (272 hp) and 335 Nm in CLA 250+ guise, enabling 0–62 mph in 6.8 seconds.

A key engineering highlight is Mercedes-Benz’s use of a two-speed transmission, a relatively uncommon feature in passenger EVs. The system is designed to deliver fast off-the-line acceleration in first gear while allowing efficient high-speed cruising in second gear. This approach aims to provide a broader performance envelope without sacrificing motorway efficiency.

The CLA 350 4MATIC adds a second electric motor on the front axle, contributing an additional 80 kW (109 hp) for a combined output of 354 hp and 515 Nm. This reduces the 0–62 mph sprint to 5.0 seconds. To conserve energy, the front motor uses a Disconnect Unit (DCU) to disengage under low load, reducing front-axle losses by up to 90%.

Both variants share a 130 mph top speed.

Range, charging and power management

According to WLTP testing, the CLA 250+ delivers up to 469 miles of range, positioning it among the longest-legged compact EVs available. The CLA 350 4MATIC’s additional motor reduces this slightly to 451 miles, still a highly competitive figure.

AC charging peaks at 11 kW, while DC charging reaches 320 kW—but with a crucial caveat. As highlighted in the technical notes on page two of the press release, the CLA can only access 400-volt DC fast-charging stations if the optional £850 direct current charging system is fitted. Without it, DC charging is only possible at 800-volt chargers. Mercedes-Benz says the system may be limited by grid infrastructure and vehicle parameters depending on conditions .

Optional towing capability is also available for the first time on an electric CLA via a £950 trailer coupling with ESP trailer stabilisation.

MB.OS: software at the centre

The CLA Shooting Brake is one of the first Mercedes-Benz models to use the company’s next-generation MB.OS operating system, developed to integrate infotainment, driver assistance, comfort systems and charging into a single software-defined environment.

The system uses advanced AI designed to learn driver habits and predict preferences, adjusting parameters such as climate control, charging routines, and navigation based on real-time conditions. The press release notes that MB.OS is liquid-cooled and powered by high-performance chips capable of rendering graphics via the Unity Game Engine, a technology more often seen in gaming and virtual production applications.

The emphasis on processing power reflects a broader trend across the industry, where connected services and digital interactions have become central to premium vehicle ownership. For Mercedes-Benz, the CLA Shooting Brake is a key model for demonstrating how its software-heavy strategy will shape the next generation of its compact EVs.

Hybrid model to join the range in 2026

Although the CLA Shooting Brake launches exclusively as an EV, a hybrid variant will join the range later in 2026. It will use a newly developed 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (M 252) paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (8F-eDCT). The decision to offer a hybrid alternative mirrors Mercedes-Benz’s approach across other model lines, providing a transitional option for buyers not yet ready to move to fully electric drivetrains.

A strategic move in a shifting compact segment

The introduction of the CLA Shooting Brake EV comes at a time when the compact premium market is undergoing rapid electrification. With rivals ranging from the BMW iX2 to the Tesla Model 3 and the more design-led Polestar 2, Mercedes-Benz is positioning the CLA as a distinctive option: a low-slung, stylish estate offering long range and premium interior technology.

In the UK specifically, the model will serve as a halo product for Mercedes-Benz’s compact EV ambitions, adding variety to a line-up that already includes the EQA and EQB but has lacked a design-led estate for EV buyers seeking something different from the increasingly ubiquitous crossover.

A Premium Electric Estate

With competitive range figures, an in-house developed drivetrain, advanced software architecture and a design that blends practicality with coupe-like aesthetics, the all-new CLA Shooting Brake is poised to appeal to both long-time Mercedes-Benz customers and new EV adopters. While pricing positions it firmly in the premium segment, its technology and equipment levels reflect Mercedes’ strategic intention to lead in the fields of electric mobility and software-led vehicles.

UK buyers can place orders now, ahead of the first deliveries arriving in early 2026.

Technical Specifications

Equipment Highlights