The Mercedes-Benz CLA EV 350 has an EPA-estimated driving range of 312 miles, but in the real world, it drove close to 400 miles on a single charge.
Mercedes CLA EV beats EPA range during real-world test
Mercedes calls it the “one-liter car” of the electric age for a reason. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV is one of the longest-range EVs in the US, offering a blend of efficiency, luxury, and performance at a reasonable price.
It’s available in two variations: A 250+ rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and the more powerful 350 4MATIC all-wheel-drive (AWD) model.
Powered by an 85 kWh battery pack, the 2026 Mercedes CLA EV 350 4MATIC and 250+ have EPA-estimated driving ranges of 312 miles and 374 miles, respectively.
While 300 miles is more than enough for an average week (or two) commute in the US, the electric sedan can drive much further than its official EPA range ratings imply.
During Edmunds recent EV Range Test, the 2026 Mercedes CLA 350 EV drove 385 miles on a single charge, beating its EPA rating by 73 miles. While it’s still not as much as the 434 miles achieved by the CLA 250+ in December, it’s among the best in its class, outperforming the 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard (339 miles) and 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 (292 miles).
It was also enough to beat the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited RWD (343 miles), but just shy of the 392 miles achieved by the 2026 Audi A6 Sportback Prestige AWD.
The CLA EV 350 was also more efficient and delivered faster charging than its EPA estimates. During the range test, the CLA 350 used 25.7 kWh per 100 miles, beating its EPA estimate of 29 kWh per 100 miles by almost 13%.
According to Mercedes, the CLA 350 EV delivers a peak charging rate of 320 kW, but during testing, it reached 349 kW.
In just 9 minutes and 11 seconds, the electric sedan added an impressive 100 miles of range. The better-than-expected efficiency, range, and charging are noticeable in everyday driving, with fewer (and faster) charging sessions on longer road trips or between commutes.
As the report highlights, the added power of the CLA 350 4MATIC is noticeable compared to the 250+, especially when merging or passing on the highway.
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA trim | Starting Price* | Driving Range |
| CLA 250+ | $47,250 | 374 miles |
| CLA 350 4MATIC | $49,800 | 312 miles |
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ starts at $47,250, while the more powerful CLA 350 4MATIC starts at $49,800.
The Edmunds Range Test is designed to prove how a vehicle performs in real-world, everyday driving conditions. It consists of 60% city and 40% highway driving with an average speed of 40 mph. Each vehicle is set to the most efficient drive setting, while the climate control is set to 72 degrees to reflect the most accurate real-world driving conditions drivers encounter each day.
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