Last Updated on 12/08/2026 by Raj
Benz CLA 220 -Hybrid
Now gets a petrol-hybrid drivetrain for 2027 model now offering bit more flexibility. In our depth review of new 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA we talk about its style, interior, new powertrain, driving and our expert opinion.
Intro: Mercedes-Benz CLA
In addition to the electric CLA, the German automaker now offering CLA with a petrol hybrid version. Expanding its lineup for the 2027 model year offerings and provide a bit more flexibility to the market that’s still more than a little careful of pure-electric power.
The new CLA hybrid uses a new 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine paired by a 30bhp electric motor within an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s a conventional ‘mild’ hybrid arrangement that uses the electric motor for a power boost under load and for engine-off running at low speed. The first hybrid to enter the market will be the front-wheel-drive CLA 220 followed by all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4MATIC but not before 2027.
New For 2027:
New Mercedes-Benz CLA gets some major updates and Mercedes has developed an entirely new platform for CLA. The Mercedes modular architecture, and also used the new GLA crossover and SUV. The MMA platform can support battery-electric and mild hybrid powertrains, and offers a new generation of the brand’s MBUX infotainment and uplift interior quality.
The CLA retains its smooth line with fastback silhouette, but with new modern front and rear styling adds the Mercedes-Benz star logo into the headlights and taillights. Its powertrain is entirely new and paired with newly developed turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a redesigned 48-volt hybrid system.
Mercedes-Benz CLA :Interior
New Mercedes-Benz CLA impresses most with its material quality, big improvement over the older entry level models. With more soft-touch area and durable build that actually a high quality product like standard for bigger Mercedes models in general. Like the electric CLA new next-generation CLA heavily based on technology. It features the Super screen a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver, with very similar interface to that of existing models. And the 14-inch touchscreen now comes with the fourth-generation MBUX system, which also includes the new MB.OS supercomputer.
The big central infotainment display pair of them has been simplified a little compared to older MBUX infotainment. The fixed menu for many of the most common functions on the screen, but physical buttons are now less. It features new AI-powered Mercedes Virtual Assistant, which uses multiple cloud-based AI programs. An Optional 14-inch display is provided for the passenger with large amount of information, and also with Disney+ and YouTube, and for added safety of driver a camera is located in the middle of the dashboard to cut off the video feed if driver takes their eyes off the road to look at it.
The screen also features standard Google Maps sound system provided by Dolby Atmos which gives impressive audio experience. The steering gets more touch-sensitive buttons with a physical roller and rocker switch for volume and cruise control and you also get Mercedes voice assistant. The space is well enough seats offer good support with good legroom, but headroom is little tight but it’s still comfortable helped by the standard panoramic sunroof up.
It relatively spacious and technically impressive with the massive Superscreen serving the driver and passenger all make a premium appeal. Only lacking in physical controls, but you get assisted by voice control instead. The floating center console has hard buttons for drive modes, camera, turning the screen off, hazard lights, voice commands, and volume, but they too are touch sensitive and angled weirdly placed and take attention away from the road to manually adjust the setting but voice controls are an alternative.
One new column shifter is added in this car which has many functions, but they removed the paddles shifters, for manual shifts now you have to use this stick back and forth to upshift or downshift, so this adds more complexity and does not give the fun and smoothness like paddles.
Mercedes-Benz CLA : Design
The Mercedes electric CLA is well designe car. It’s handsome, efficient, and more important it’s right size, and with some of the best specs, and the new CLA220 has some mechanical bits you won’t find on the electric model so it was less of a challenge to fit the engine and hybrid system. CLA220 looks nearly identical to the EV counterpart, other than a different grille up front and a slightly redesigned rear bumper.
The new MMA platform of the Mercedes-Benz CLA was design to accept both EV and ICE powertrains for minimum compromise of mechanical and packaging elements. So aside from the mechanical changes, some subtle exterior changes are obvious. The aesthetics are both new and some familiar, like the sporty low silhouette remain same giving a slicked-back shape. The wraparound headlights and taillights both have connected segments and within those lights is the star logo and also on the grill. The daytime running lights also have stars, and out back, the brake lights also have stars logo as well. New CLA is slightly larger than old model, just a bit smaller than the C-Class.
Engine and performance:
Mercedes gives a four-cylinder to its new entry-level car because inline four are smoother and quieter and give superior efficiency and better balance. The new turbocharged 1.5-litre called the M252 unit is extremely compact and doesn’t have an exhaust manifold. They only put 2 pipes instead of 4 and connect them directly in the cylinder head, and these two exhaust outlets feed the standard turbo charger and it bolted directly on the cylinder head.
Another new thing is the Miller cycle, it used to close the intake valves earlier than in a normal atto cycle four-stroke engine prevent the over air intake in the cylinder and give the correct amount of air and fuel. But the problem is the engine makes less power for the same displacement just only increase the fuel-efficient. To maintain this, Mercedes added an electric motor to give more 30hp boost and a 48V mild hybrid system powered by a 1.3kWh battery and the electric motor is placed inside the transmission itself.
So, the power figures are, that the front-wheel-drive gives combined output of 188 horsepower and the all-wheel-drive 4MATIC gives 208 horsepower and make 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Paired with new eight-speed automatic transmission using a dual clutch setup In addition to the two clutches it has a third clutch to disconnect the engine from the transmission when the Mercedes-Benz CLA run on pure electric power.
It’ll drive completely using electricity but that 30 hp isn’t really enough and the battery pack is also small. So this car does electric gliding in which gas engine drivetrain is disconected at speeds of up to 60 mph by an electric clutch and run on EV mode of course and when you hit the throttle the the powertrain back again.
When the gas engine takes over from the electric motor, it’s quiet and smooth, only increase in noise, power transition is smooth, progressive and linear, and there’s no recoil or jerk, and there is also regenerative braking available, and it can send up to 25 kW of power back to the battery.
Capabilities and Driving:
The electric motor and battery is very small and so it can only move the car around slowly, as long as the power required is below the e-motor’s max limit. But when put down the throttle, engine quickly fires up to meet any real demand for power. Going downhill or on the free way when you move the feet from the gas paddle and car turn the engine off run on EV mode for some distance, and with gently throttle press, and you can maintain speed using the electric motor without turn on the engine.
Typical hybrids can’t manage electric-only driving for many miles, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 can utilize the battery to extend EV operation to remain silent in stop-and-go traffic for a little longer. Mercedes said that its 30-hp e-motor is enough to drive around the city in EV mode, but it really not enough you needed more than 30 hp to get the 3,900-pound sedan moving.
So with a light press on the gas it’s almost always jumping into gas mode redlines the gauge but the car just crawls forward at walking speed, seems the electric motor needs more 30 hp to do its job. The switch between gas and electric modes is mostly smooth just slight delay in Comfort mode. Which the hybrid mode and its default for city drive that favours electric mostly.
In most time of the time you don’t notice the small delay between when you hit the accelerator and the power starts to arrive, and once both the engine and the e-motor work together. The car became peppy and the power looks sufficient. The powertrain start the electric motor first and then gain some push to start the engine, means instead run ahead.
The car moves gently at first before the engine starts, then needs enough push to overcome the turbo lag and make driving power and yes, turbo lag is noticeable and this makes some problems in tight traffic when you need fast acceleration some time. So the sports mode comes into the picture, choose with the Dynamic Select button. This mode keeps the engine running at all times not taken by e-motor, giving you most of the power any time you push the throttle.
Sport mode powertrain converts the e-motor to a performance enhancer, feeding more torque with the engine this makes the powertrain way more responsive. While the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission gives fast gear changes but at low and medium speeds it was laggy sometime. You can also manually shift the gears by pushing the column shifter but paddles feel better.
Though it’s not a drift machine but in cornering and steady-state driving, car feels steady; for the most part, the steering is well responsive. Suspension was good enough but doesn’t have any adaptive damping function, but it give enough firmness and composed in the corners. The brake does a good job of blending regenerative and mechanical braking together but only pulling 25 kW of power.
Pricing: Mercedes-Benz CLA
The Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 is positioned as a premium compact luxury sedan market in later 2026 to 2027.
In USA anticipating price around $48,500 for base and $50,000 top model.
In Europe starts the range at £38,700. £38,700 for a base and £50k for top-end one.
Pros and Cons:
What Works good:
Big-Benz levels of refinement and material quality, looks well and different rather than a small C Class, with ultra-smooth bodywork and modern look.
Comfortable and spacious with nicely appointed interior is well packaged, Comfy seats with lots of adjustment.
Hybrid system works smoothly and intuitively gives a smooth and quiet ride.
Agile handling with fluid like steering.
What Could Be Better:
Not very quick or that efficient with lack of low-end torque.
Lack of paddle shifters and dull feel in the steering.
Superscreen dominates the interior and has few physical controls.
The front looks a bit silly and rush.
Cabin is fairly generic and headroom in the rear is restricted.
Verdict:
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 is a big improvement when it comes to material quality, fit and finish and refinement. But this new mild hybrid powertrain feels little underpowered. The CLA’s EQ model an already-acclaimed car with its efficient electric powertrain and possibly better indeed.
The CLA EV has changed the EV world in so many. CLA rides and handles better than any hybrid, take corners confidently and feels stable at freeway speeds and extensive sound insulation, pads on the engine, help keep the interior nearly EV quiet. Only beside the performance it’s perfectly good car, it’s comfortable, roomy, stylish, and well equipped.
