The new CLA saloon has barely reached the market, yet Mercedes-Benz has already unveiled the CLA Shooting Brake. Its arrival is still some way off, however, with the launch scheduled for 2026.
The differences from the saloon extend beyond its alternative body style. Mercedes-Benz has also used this opportunity to introduce several updates, including one that responds directly to customer requests.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake brings back physical steering-wheel controls
Customers had called for physical steering-wheel controls to replace touch-sensitive surfaces, and Mercedes has listened. The CLA Shooting Brake receives a newly designed steering wheel, already seen on other models from the brand, with two tiers of controls on each spoke.
As shown in the gallery below, it does away with touch-sensitive panels in favour of physical buttons, including a useful thumbwheel for adjusting the volume:
The Mercedes-Benz CLA saloon will also gain this new steering wheel shortly, although it retains the original wheel for now.
This can be seen in the video from Diogo’s first dynamic drive of the new CLA saloon, which he had the opportunity to test in Germany:
More panoramic roof options
The other major development concerns the large panoramic roof. It is fitted as standard to both the CLA saloon and the CLA Shooting Brake, but the options list will now offer further possibilities.
The most eye-catching option adds 158 small illuminated stars, which work together with the cabin’s ambient lighting - the effect at night promises to be… interesting.
While the stars may “steal” the attention of CLA Shooting Brake occupants at night, there is another daytime option that could greatly improve cabin comfort when sunlight becomes more intense.
It will be possible to alter the glass transparency - taking between 10 milliseconds and 20 milliseconds - turning the roof opaque, preventing people from seeing into the cabin and providing extra protection against excessive sun exposure.
First fully electric Mercedes-Benz estate
These updates will also be introduced on the CLA saloon, but for now they have only been seen on the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake, the first fully electric estate in the brand’s already long history.
Everything else is shared with the saloon, from the MMA platform to the motors and battery. The CLA uses an 800 V electrical system, allowing charging at up to 320 kW. It is equipped with an 85 kWh NMC-chemistry battery, delivering up to 761 km (WLTP) - several dozen kilometres fewer than the saloon because of its less efficient aerodynamics.
CLA Shooting Brake motors and range
There will be two powertrain options. The first is the CLA 250+ Shooting Brake, with a 200 kW (272 hp) motor mounted on the rear axle. This is the version capable of achieving the stated 761 km.
Above it sits the same powertrain fitted to the CLA that Diogo drove during his first test. The CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake has an electric motor on each axle, giving it four-wheel drive. The system’s combined output is 260 kW (354 hp), while maximum range is around 730 km (WLTP).
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