Vicki Butler-Henderson reviews the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Electric to find out whether its headline range and advanced technology are enough to redefine the electric saloon.
This CLA 250+ with EQ Technology features an 85 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive and a claimed WLTP range of up to 483 miles. Vicki explores how it performs in everyday driving, how the two-speed transmission and regenerative braking systems work, and whether it still delivers the driving character expected from Mercedes-Benz.
Inside, a new operating system brings over-the-air updates, AI-powered features and enhanced driver assistance technology. Charging is equally impressive, with 800-volt architecture allowing rapid top-ups under ideal conditions.
Riding on 19-inch alloys fitted with Bridgestone Turanza 6 Enliten tyres, the CLA focuses on balancing efficiency with confident wet and dry performance.
So does the new CLA Electric combine long-range capability, cutting-edge tech and everyday usability into one compelling package? Vicki finds out.
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— Chapters —
00:00 – Introduction
01:08 – Exterior Design & Features
02:09 – Boot Space
02:46 – Wheel & Tyre Talk
03:11 – DriverReviews
03:56 – Interior Design & Tech
06:22 – Rear Seats Space & Design
06:47 – On the Road: Battery Range
07:55 – Performance & Top Speed
09:03 – Gears & Braking
09:49 – Rear-Wheel Drive Performance
10:36 – Battery Charging
11:56 – Vicki’s Verdict
#mercedes #cla250 #EV
483 miles claimed range š
Would you swap your petrol car for this CLA Electric, or are you not ready to make the switch yet?
500 if you believe fairly tales
400 if you live in the real world with perfect weather
300 if you turn on AC and Radio and still have good weather
200 if snow comes and you want to survive with some heat
……. yeah, truly an improvement in retardation.
Tried one today 27th February 2026. I'm only 5' 8'' and struggled to get inside hitting my head on the roof. Far too small and the 250+ car has no electric seat or memory so it is unsuitable for husband and wife etc. of different heights using it. By the way I have been a stay fast Mercedes customer for 50 years but now drive a Polestar 4. A much better car.
If you can charge at home these cars are brilliant…. They drive brilliantly have a go of one. To disregard ALL EVs just because they are EVs is mad its like saying all diesel cars are brilliant absolute rubbish some are great some are utter shite.
It was a toss up between that and the Lexus es300 h the Lexus won š
The car looks better in the metal. I saw two the other day and they both looked rather nice
Ahhh, monthly subscriptionsā¦ā¦ā¦. You can f right off with that scam.
Why do we need a car that sums up emails if we are meant to be driving safely?
Hmmmm. Horrendously expensive, monthly subscriptions and death-trap flush door handles. We reached āpeak carā about 15 years ago.
Wellā¦it is a good car but not one to gaze atā¦the side is a blob and the front simply hideous. Inside it has the recent Mercedes trick of appearing very special but feeling like a basic Chinese runabout. Thatā500 milesāis highly misleadingā¦reality will be 300 maximum but a motorway, passengers, luggage, heating and the radio will mean 225 if you are lucky. It is interesting but will loose a lot of value very quickly. š¤š¤š
I had a look at one, it was on my company car list amongst many others as they all seem to sit at similar price points, and I was disappointed in this car. It felt less premium inside than many of its Chinese competitors. Not saying it was terrible, and itās subjective, but my wife immediately said naahā¦she prefers BYD, IM6, etc.
Ordered one in blue pick it up next month in Edinburgh š
Feels like an advert – Range…. Lets take WLTP and change it to 'WTF'. If anyone wants an average range for any electric car, take the battery capacity and multiply by 4
EVs. Future my arse.
Can anyone drive for 500 miles without a toilet break. Seems wasteful to be hauling around such a large and heavy battery.
In my hands, I'm holding my arse and 500 miles of range…
Excellent review. Really beautiful exterior and very nice interior. The two biggest fails illustrate how makers design these 3-4 years before introduction for sale: the absence of buttons for core functions and the hidden electric door handles. Both of these have been increasingly criticized by consumers and regulators as unsafe for driving and in crashes, with China moving to ban both and the U.S. investigating. Vicki is always terrific to watch.
Monthly subscriptions lol, that will be popular
That styling looks so dated next to the new Chinese electric cars
I wonder why this channel doesn't show up, Vicki from fifth gear lol, didn't even know she was still reviewing cars
Hey, Vicki!
Great review, but you did not answer the question you posed:
āMercedes CLA Electricā
ā500 miles . . . . really?ā
We know that the CLA+ has a WLTP range of 483 miles but we turn to you to find out how close to the truth the manufacturerās claim is . . . . unfortunately, you did not deliver on this!
Some might say this is clickbait!
Forget the CLA, I didn't know Vicki was still doing videos. Good for her…
I have looked at a few different EV's and this is the one that could take me away from my diesel engined Mercedes A200D.
Chinese junk under the bonnet
I could listen to Vicki all day great knowledge and comforting voice thank you.
Donāt tell me, itās about as exciting as watching paint dry
It just feels like a soc sheet being read out. No range test? Thatās this things only USP
A small point, you mention that driving without regen is like a petrol car, when the throttle is lifted. More accurately it is like a petrol car with the clutch in, it can roll for England. Which can catch you out if you are expecting any kind of engine braking.
Anyone coming into this from another marque and used to mediocre build quality and accepts unreliability and poor customer service as the "norm" will like the CLA.
Anyone who has experienced a Mercedes of 10 years + ago (the further back the better) will be hugely disappointed and frustrated by it.
The CLA is NOT a Mercedes.
I have recently bought a E 300e hybrid. I think I should of waited š
I wouldnt buy it even at half price
Nothing new here š“š“š“
imam ga najbolŔi avto pika tesla za siromake
Well, I see Mercedes Benz continues to try and pull down the trousers of potential customers and shaft them again… 360 cameras if you pay for a subscription or you can pay a probably extortionate amount and have them anyway…. Wake up and smell the coffee MBUK, so many of your competitors are including stuff for free that MBUK makes you pay extra for.. I'm also a little miffed about clickbait on this too, as I wondered if it might get a road test to prove/disprove that the possible range is near to 500 miles… Oh and MBUK are doing a hybrid/electric version in the future, oh really Newsflash NO they are not. Mercedes has said publicly they want to move away from hybrids. Come back to me when a possible battery range is over 600 miles range and I might look at one. I guess I must have an exceptional bladder and not want to pee stop as often as some of you out there.. Oh and WhatCar tested this and it kept phantom braking and caused a crash, so on that basis I wont be giving them any money, and I'm OUT.