Battery sizes: 85 kWh
E-Rating™: A+
Max charge rate: 320kW
WLTP range: 484 miles
Introduction
So what is the CLA Shooting Break? Well, it’s an estate car that shares 99% of its DNA with the excellent CLA Saloon, which was named Car of the Year a couple of months ago. Which suggests that the whole CLA package is a good one.
The Shooting Break is aimed at folk who want to take a break (shooting or otherwise) from an SUV. We’ve had nearly two decades of SUVs packing out showrooms, and Mercedes is hoping that the lure of incredible range figures and slinky looks will start to shift attention to cars like this.
From launch, buyers can choose from two battery size options and three power outputs. There’s also an all-wheel drive option and the usual baffling array of trim names which make some model designations read like a small novel.
Range, battery and charging
The CLA has been referred to as a game changer when it comes to driving range. This, we were told when we saw the concept car, would be the car that drags drivers kicking and screaming out of their petrol and diesel SUVs. Time will tell if that actually happens, but to Mercedes’s credit, the CLA is a remarkably efficient and long-legged machine.
The CLA Shooting Break is offered with two battery options: 58kWh and 85kWh, with the smaller pack reserved for the entry-level CLA 200 Sport. It has a claimed WLTP figure of 321 miles, which is pretty impressive when compared to other cars with the same size pack. But the real headline-grabbing figures start to land when you look at the models fitted with the larger 85kWh pack. Opt for the rear-drive 250+ model and you’re looking at a WLTP figure of 469 miles. Even taking into account the range-slashing effect of winter motorway driving, you’ll be looking at a real-world range of 330-400 miles. Or nearly six hours of 70mph motorway cruising. During my hour-long drive on mostly 40-50mph roads, I averaged just over 4.0 miles per kWh, which equates to a total range of 340 miles.
And when you do stop to recharge, you’ll benefit from some of the fastest charging speeds in the business. The entry-level CLA 200 tops out at a perfectly acceptable 200kW, while the 250+ and 350+ models fitted with the larger batteries can handle charges at up to 320kW. A 10-80% charge on a suitable DC charger will take just over 20 minutes, which is exceptionally quick.
However, as with the CLA saloon, there is a slight fly in the ointment. The Shooting Break has an 800 volt electrical system (which is key to delivering those crazy charge speeds), which means that it can’t accept a charge at a 400 volt charger. Well, not without forking out £850 for the brand’s Direct current charging system option. Mercedes argues that almost all new charging sites use 800 volt chargers, which is true. However, there are still a fair few older chargers that run on 400 volt systems. A lot of Tesla Supercharger sites still have 400 volt chargers and even brands like GRIDSERVE still have a number of 400 volt chargers on its network. Given that this car is aimed at switchers, it seems odd that Mercedes doesn’t bundle the feature in as standard.
And, while I’m in complaining mood, 11kW AC charging is a bit mean in 2026. Given that more volume brands are equipping their cars with 22kW AC charging capability as standard, it seems a shame that Mercedes hasn’t upped its game.
Practicality and boot space
If you currently drive an SUV and you’re looking at the Shooting Break as your next step, there’s good and not so good news. Let’s start with the positives. The 455-litre boot is wide, deep and nicely shaped. You’ll be able to get a LOT of stuff in the load compartment, which is surprising given how swoopy the roofline is. And, praise be, the CLA Shooting Break also comes with a frunk. At 101 litres, it’s a decently usable amount of space and means that your filthy AC charging cables can stay out of site until you need them.
You’ll also be pretty happy up front, although the broad and high centre console does make the driving position feel rather snug. If you’re used to having a minimal centre console and room to move your legs around, the cockpit-like surroundings of the CLA might not work for you. As someone with hopelessly long legs, I found it okay over an hour’s drive, but I’d prefer a bit more space to stretch on a longer drive.
And so to the bad news. The rear seat space is… very tight. Because the CLA is built on a multi-fuel platform, Mercedes designers weren’t able to pull the EV-only trick of extending the cabin into the engine bay. As a result, the CLA is no better than a combustion car in terms of cabin space. And nowhere is this more noticeable than in the rear seats. With the front seat set to my driving position, I was barely able to fold myself into the rear seat. To make matters worse, there is no space under the front seats into which you can slide your feet.
In terms of design and layout, the CLA Shooting Brake is a perfectly pleasant place to spend time. The dashboard takes the form of one enormous flat panel and integrates the touchscreen for the infotainment system and an instrument display ahead of the driver. There’s a smattering of basic switches below the air vents along with array of controls on the steering wheel, some of which use the dreaded haptic sensors to do their work. The drive selector is on a stalk and doubles up as a regen adjustment paddle, which works better than you think it might.
The displays are clear and easy to navigate, although the far right edge of the screen is blocked by the steering wheel and your hands. The materials are decent enough, but the door switches for the windows and mirrors feel a little cheap.
Motors, performance and handling
The CLA Shooting Break comes with three power output options. The entry level models make do with a 224hp motor, while the mid-range cars deliver 272hp to the rear wheels. I drove the latter and found it to be perfectly fine. Its 335Nm torque output is low by the standards of some competitors – the VW Group’s 286hp motor generates 545Nm for example – which means that it isn’t a car that feels particularly quick (0-62mph in 6.8 seconds). That said, the throttle and brake are well weighted and it’s an easy car to drive smoothly.
If you fancy more power and the added security of all-wheel drive, the 350 4MATIC variant delivers 354hp to the wheels and has a torque output of 515Nm. Expect a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds with the range-topping model.
In terms of ride and handling, the CLA Shooting Break delivers few surprises and drives exactly how you would expect a Mercedes to. Noise isolation is excellent and despite large 19-inch alloys, it soaks up the bumps well. The steering feels decently weighted and the multi-link rear suspension handles direction changes with ease. It’s not the most dynamic car in the class, but if you’re looking for comfort, it certainly hits the mark.
Running costs and pricing
The CLA Shooting Break range starts from £40,150 for the entry-level Sport model and goes up to the 4MATIC electric AMG Line Premium Plus, which comes in at £57,350. It wasn’t too long ago that getting a Mercedes with a decent amount of kit meant spending a fortune on options. That’s not the case with the CLA with all models in the range getting a generous amount of kit including things like a panoramic roof, heated seats and artificial leather trim. In fact, you’re only real options are metallic paint, the 400 volt charging feature (grrr), and towing kit.
Verdict
Mercedes is definitely hitting its stride in the world of EVs and the CLA Shooting Break is a very convincing package. The driving range is exceptional if you opt for the bigger battery pack and the driving experience is refined and comfortable. But it isn’t perfect - especially if you’re considering switching from a larger SUV. The cabin is snug up front and very tight on space in the rear, which is a legacy of it being on a platform built to accommodate combustion engines and electric.
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