Mercedes Finally Has A Real Tesla Model 3 Competitor

• Mercedes-Benz finally has details on the U.S.-spec CLA-Class electric sedan.
• The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology brings up to 374 miles of range, starting at $47,250.
• The dual-motor CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology isn’t much more expensive at $49,800, and still has 312 miles of range.

Mercedes-Benz’s do-over era for electric vehicles kicks off in the United States soon. And so far, it’s looking to be a lot more promising than the last go-around.

Mercedes today announced U.S. pricing and range for the new CLA-Class, which comes in all-electric form with a hybrid expected to follow. For a luxury sedan, the pricing seems pretty compelling—as does the range.

The base CLA 250+ with EQ Technology starts at $47,250, excluding destination fees. That gets you a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive sedan with up to 374 miles of EPA-rated range. That motor puts down a healthy 268 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, good for a zero to 60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. 

But those seeking more grunt won’t sacrifice their bank accounts or too much range. The upgraded CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology starts at $49,800, also excluding destination fees, and boosts power to 349 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Its EPA-certified range is 312 miles, so it’s still a nice upgrade from something like a Tesla Model 3. 

Gallery: 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA First Drive

Both versions of the CLA-Class use an 85-kilowatt-hour battery with charging speeds of up to 320 kilowatts, making it one of the more potent EVs on the U.S. market. The sedan charges from 10% to 80% in as little as 22 minutes, Mercedes says. Mercedes also claims the car can add 100 miles of range in just five minutes, and more than 200 in 10 minutes, at DC fast charging stations with 500 amps.

The CLA-Class is built on a new platform called MMA, designed to accommodate both battery power and gas engines. Even so, the specs are impressive; this is still an 800-volt electrical architecture, for example. More variants on that platform, including a crossover, are coming soon as well. (Sadly, Americans are unlikely to get the shooting brake wagon version that’s likely to be a hit in Europe.)

Interestingly, prices aren’t that far off the last CLA-Class sold in America: recently, that car started around $46,000. But this is a considerably more advanced car, with some cutting-edge new EV technology. The original CLA-Class went on sale for model year 2014 and served as Mercedes’ entry-level vehicle, along with the related A-Class and GLA-Class. 

Mercedes is surely hoping the CLA-Class will be a better go-around for EVs than its first attempt was. Its initial crop of electric models, the EQ sedans and SUVs, failed to find traction due to their high price tags and polarizing styling. Moving forward, Mercedes is leaning into making electric versions of its familiar nameplates—the CLA-Class, G-Class with EQ Technology and upcoming GLC-Class EV are examples of this. 

Our European correspondents have given the CLA-Class high marks back home. We’ll soon find out how this sedan performs on American roads, but all signs seem positive so far. 

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com