by New Mercedes CLA Becomes Winner of Prestigious European Award
The updated Mercedes-Benz CLA has been awarded the title of “Car of the Year 2026” in Europe. This victory resulted from a jury vote where the model surpassed a number of other new market entries, each featuring some form of electric powertrain.
Voting Results and Historic Achievement
The third-generation CLA, which debuted last year initially as a fully electric vehicle and is now also offered in a hybrid version, scored 320 points from a jury of 59 automotive journalists from 23 countries.
Second in the results was the Skoda Elroq with 220 points. Following were the Kia EV4 (208 points), Citroen C5 Aircross (207), Fiat Grande Panda (200), Dacia Bigster (170), and Renault 4 (150).
This victory holds special significance for Mercedes-Benz, as it is only the second in the brand’s history over the award’s 62-year existence. The company first won in 1974 with the Mercedes-Benz 450 SE/SEL model.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology models are equipped with an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery and an 800-volt electric architecture. According to the European cycle, the base 250+ version has a range of 492 miles (792 km), while the 350 model has 479 miles (771 km). These figures demonstrate significant progress by Mercedes in electric vehicle development.
Future Award Prospects
The European victory may not be the only one for the new CLA. Last week, the model made it into the top ten finalists for the “World Car of the Year 2026” award. Among its competitors are models such as the BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV4, Nissan Leaf, Toyota RAV4, and Audi Q5/SQ5.
Mercedes CLA’s victory in the “Car of the Year” competition highlights an important trend: even in the premium segment, traditionally dominated by gasoline engines, electrification is becoming a key success factor. The impressive range figures of the new model dispel some of the main fears of potential electric car buyers – “long-distance capability” and practicality. This award may also serve as a signal to other luxury manufacturers that investments in developing their own electric platforms pay off not only technologically but also in the eyes of experts and, importantly, future customers. Competition in the coming years, especially with Asian brands also represented in the finals, will only intensify.
