The new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been crowned European Car of the Year 2026, with the jury’s decision announced at the Brussels Motor Show. The award recognizes the CLA’s combination of striking design, advanced safety technology, high efficiency, and dynamic performance, positioning it as a benchmark in its segment and the most intelligent Mercedes-Benz model to date.
Central to its success is the new AI-powered MB.OS operating system and the latest-generation MBUX interface, which deliver an intuitive, user-friendly digital experience and a refined, home-like cabin atmosphere. The electric version sets new standards in efficiency and range, achieving up to 791 km (WLTP mixed cycle). Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the CLA can recover up to 325 km of range in just 10 minutes of charging, making long-distance electric travel more practical than ever.
The CLA went on sale in Europe in mid-2025 and will soon launch in the US, China, and other global markets. Demand has exceeded expectations, with the order book already filled into the second half of 2026. The award also adds significance to Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary in 2026, marking another milestone in the brand’s history of innovation.
(WBJ)