2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Priced for Australia: Hybrid From $66,500, EV From $72,200

Image credit: Mercedes-Benz Australia

The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been priced for Australia, and it arrives with a clear split personality. Three 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol models cover the more traditional buyer, while two fully electric versions chase the growing premium EV crowd. Pricing opens at $66,500 before on-road costs for the CLA 180 and stretches to $91,300 for the flagship CLA 350 4MATIC electric. The first electric model, the rear-drive CLA 200 electric, starts at $72,200.

Pricing

The Electric CLAs

The CLA 200 electric is the entry EV. It uses a 58kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery driving a single 165kW/335Nm rear motor, with a two-speed transmission, a 0 to 100km/h time of 7.5 seconds and up to 470km of WLTP range. The CLA 350 4MATIC electric adds an 80kW front motor for all-wheel drive, a combined 260kW and 515Nm, a 4.9-second 0 to 100km/h and up to 663km of range from a larger 85kWh battery. Both run an 800-volt electrical system and can DC fast-charge at up to 320kW, which is genuinely quick.

The Mild Hybrids

For buyers not ready to plug in, the CLA 180, CLA 200 and CLA 220 4MATIC pair a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. A new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic houses an integrated electric motor that recovers energy in every gear and allows brief electric-only running at low loads around town. The CLA 220 is the only one of the trio with all-wheel drive.

Tech and Cabin

Every new CLA debuts the latest Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which brings over-the-air updates and an AI voice assistant that taps into third-party services. It is a generational leap in the cabin software, and it underpins the long list of connected features Mercedes is rolling out across the range.

Tax and Running Costs

Here is a quiet win for the EV buyer. At $72,200 the CLA 200 electric slips under the luxury car tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles and sits within the EV fringe benefits tax exemption cap, which can make it sharp on a novated lease. Our FBT-exempt cars guide explains who benefits, and the EV charging guide covers how to make the most of that 800-volt fast charging.

Safety

The new CLA has not yet been rated by ANCAP. Mercedes-Benz fits an extensive driver-assistance suite as standard, and we will update with the official result if and when the model is tested.

How It Compares

The electric CLA 200 lands right on top of the BMW i4 and a well-specced Tesla Model 3, but it counters with Mercedes badge appeal, an 800-volt platform and that strong charging speed. The CLA 350 4MATIC electric, with 663km of range, is one of the longest-legged compact EVs you can buy. For the wider field, see our best electric cars guide.

Warranty

Mercedes-Benz Australia covers the CLA with its standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the high-voltage battery on the electric models carried by a separate eight-year battery warranty. Customer deliveries of the mild hybrids start in June 2026, with the EVs following in July.

Our Take

Offering the new CLA in both mild-hybrid and fully electric form is a smart hedge, and the pricing is more competitive than you might expect from a three-pointed star. The CLA 200 electric is the one to watch: under the luxury car tax threshold, eligible for the FBT exemption, and backed by genuinely fast 800-volt charging. The CLA 350 4MATIC electric's 663km range will tempt anyone with range anxiety. It is a strong return for one of Mercedes' most important models.

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