Mercedes-Benz has brought back the CLA sedan to India, but this time, in an all-electric avatar. Built on the brand’s new MMA platform, it is offered with standard range (200) and long range (250+) guises. The sedan, according to Mercedes, can go up to 792km on a single charge. If you’re interested in the CLA EV, we list out reasons why you should consider buying one, and a few reasons why you should look elsewhere.
Smooth and refined powertrain
Linear power delivery and effortless acceleration lend to a smooth driving experience
The CLA takes a different approach when it comes to power delivery. It is not as aggressive as other EVs that dump all the torque from a standstill, but acceleration is brisk, with speed gained linearly. Power delivery is gradual and smooth, and there are also drive modes to fine-tune throttle responses. Mercedes claims a 0-100kph sprint in 6.7 seconds, which is fairly quick.
Outstanding efficiency figures
Expect a range of over 500km
Though the CLA EV wasn’t put through our real-world range tests, its range and efficiency figures do seem promising. During our time with CLA, it averaged 6.3km/kWh, which led to a real-world range of 535km. Irrespective of your driving style, over 500km of range can be expected, which is commendable. For context, claimed range figures on the WLTP cycle for the CLA 200 and CLA 250+ are 542km and 792km, respectively.
Balanced ride and handling
Gets a plush ride with fun-to-drive handling characteristics
Driving the CLA is an enjoyable experience due to its rear-wheel drive setup. The steering feedback is great and is light at low speeds and well-weighted at high speeds. Mercedes has also modified the CLA’s ground clearance and suspension to adapt to our road conditions. The increased ride height clears most speedbreakers, and body roll is also contained when cornering. The ride setup, though being on the firmer end, is plush at all speeds and soaks up rough roads effortlessly.
Let’s now look at the reasons as to why the CLA electric may not be the car of choice for you.
Uncomfortable rear seat experience
Sloping roofline and upright backrest make for a cramped rear seat experience
Seat comfort is an area that the CLA does not excel at. Its wheelbase is longer than the outgoing ICE-powered CLA, which enables good knee room. But underthigh support takes a hit due to the underfloor battery, resulting in an uncomfortable knees-up position. Moreover, the sloping coupe roofline and upright backrest do not help either, making the CLA unsuitable for the chauffeur-driven. The knees-up seating extends to the front seats as well. Though the seats ahead are well bolstered and supportive, larger occupants might find them a bit too snug.
Lacks physical buttons
Several functions are crammed into the touchscreen, causing inconvenience
While the CLA is decked out with high-end screens that are intuitive to use, it does, however, miss out on physical controls. Though there are capacitive touch-based shortcut buttons below the infotainment screen for volume and drive modes, functions like HVAC and other features can only be accessed by the touchscreen. This does require taking your eyes off the road, which is risky while on the move.
