The 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a fully redesigned compact luxury sedan that arrives on an all-new platform with a fundamentally different powertrain strategy than its predecessor. The new CLA is offered in three distinct configurations: a 48V mild-hybrid gasoline model (CLA 220), a fully electric rear-wheel-drive sedan (CLA 250+ Electric), and a fully electric all-wheel-drive sedan (CLA 350 4MATIC Electric). This is the first generation of CLA to be offered as a battery-electric vehicle, and it represents one of the most significant redesigns in the CLA’s history. Because this is an early-production new model, invoice pricing data reflects limited initial inventory and dealer invoice gaps are narrower than what typically develops as the model year matures. Here is what dealers paid and what you should be targeting.
The 2027 CLA is available in three powertrain configurations with distinct model designations. Prices below exclude the $1,350 destination charge.
| Trim | MSRP | Invoice | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA 220 (Mild Hybrid, FWD) | $43,900 | $43,900 | TBD |
| CLA 250+ Electric (RWD) | $47,950 | $47,950 | TBD |
| CLA 350 4MATIC Electric (AWD) | $50,500 | $50,500 | TBD |
Invoice figures sourced from AutoFinder. The 2027 CLA is a brand-new redesign at the beginning of its production run, and invoice pricing data currently reflects MSRP for all trims, indicating limited dealer discount data is available at this stage. As inventory builds and the model year matures, invoice prices below MSRP are expected to develop. Always verify the current MSRP and any available discounts on the window sticker before making an offer. TrueCar data indicates buyers are currently transacting at approximately 6 percent below MSRP on the CLA 220 Hybrid, suggesting real-world purchase prices below sticker are achievable despite the limited published invoice gap.
The destination and freight charge on the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA is $1,350. With destination included, the range runs from $45,250 on the CLA 220 to $51,850 on the CLA 350 4MATIC Electric. Fully optioned examples can run substantially higher; a well-equipped CLA 250+ Electric with popular packages reaches the low-to-mid $60,000s.
The 2027 CLA is a ground-up redesign representing the second generation of the model. The outgoing CLA was built on Mercedes’ MFA front-wheel-drive platform and offered only gasoline powertrains. The 2027 model replaces that architecture with an all-new platform shared with the next-generation Mercedes compact family, engineered from the start to support both electrified combustion and fully electric powertrains. Key changes from the outgoing model include:
The CLA 220 uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The combustion engine produces 188 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque; the integrated 30-horsepower electric motor contributes an additional 148 lb-ft of torque for combined system output of approximately 208 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission drives the front wheels. The mild-hybrid system uses a 1-kWh lithium-ion battery and does not plug in; it captures energy under deceleration and uses it to assist the engine and power the 48V electrical system.
Fuel economy: Official EPA figures for the U.S. market have not been published at the time of this writing. The 48V mild-hybrid system is primarily designed to improve responsiveness and reduce fuel consumption under light loads rather than deliver hybrid-class fuel economy; expect figures broadly competitive with a conventional turbocharged four-cylinder in this class rather than the step-change efficiency of a full hybrid.
Fuel: Premium unleaded recommended. Fuel tank: 11.4 gallons.
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive. An all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4MATIC mild-hybrid variant is anticipated for a later date but is not available at launch.
The CLA 250+ Electric is a fully battery-electric sedan with a single rear-mounted motor producing 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Power reaches the rear wheels through a two-speed automatic transmission — an unusual setup for a compact EV that improves both launch response and high-speed efficiency. The 85-kWh NMC battery operates on an 800-volt architecture.
EPA range: Up to 374 miles with the standard 17-inch wheels. Models equipped with 18-inch or larger wheels carry a lower EPA rating of approximately 317 miles. Real-world driving at moderate highway speeds has demonstrated range in line with or exceeding the EPA estimate in independent testing.
DC fast charging: Up to 320 kW peak, with 10-to-80-percent charging completed in approximately 22 minutes on a compatible DC fast charger. The 800-volt architecture enables this charging rate, which is among the fastest available in a non-performance EV at this price point. The CLA uses a NACS port for native Tesla Supercharger access and a J1772 adapter for other Level 2 charging networks.
Level 2 charging: 9.6-kW onboard charger; a full charge from empty on a 240V Level 2 connection takes approximately 8.5 hours.
0-60 mph: 6.6 seconds.
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive.
MPGe: 127 city / 124 highway / 126 combined.
The CLA 350 4MATIC adds a front electric motor to the CLA 250+’s rear-drive architecture, creating a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Combined output rises to 349 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both the front and rear motors use the same 800-volt architecture and 85-kWh battery as the CLA 250+.
EPA range: Up to 312 miles. The AWD system’s additional front motor and the heavier curb weight reduce range by approximately 62 miles compared to the CLA 250+. Buyers who prioritize maximum range should factor this trade-off against the AWD system’s performance and all-weather capability.
DC fast charging: Same 320-kW peak capability and approximately 22-minute 10-to-80-percent charge time as the CLA 250+.
0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds. The dual-motor setup cuts 1.8 seconds from the CLA 250+’s 0-60 time, a substantial real-world difference in both highway merging and spirited driving.
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (4MATIC).
MPGe: 120 city / 115 highway / 118 combined.
Dimensions: 185.9 inches overall length, 79.0 inches width, 57.8 inches height, 109.8-inch wheelbase. The CLA is a low, wide compact sedan with a fastback roofline; rear headroom is the expected trade-off for its silhouette, and taller rear passengers will find the entry and egress narrow.
Cargo: 10.3 cubic feet of trunk space. The electric CLAs add a 1.4-cubic-foot frunk under the hood. The rear seats fold flat to expand cargo capacity. The CLA’s cargo volume is modest relative to SUV alternatives in the price range, consistent with its compact sedan footprint.
Standard technology: 14.0-inch MBUX touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in maps and assistant, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, evasive steering assist, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver seat, panoramic sunroof, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Turning diameter: 36.8 feet.
Warranty: Mercedes-Benz covers the 2027 CLA with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. The electric CLAs carry an 8-year/80,000-mile high-voltage battery warranty. Mercedes’ standard warranty is shorter than what Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis offer in the same price range; buyers who value long-term warranty coverage should factor this into cross-brand comparisons.
The three CLA powertrains address fundamentally different priorities, and the decision involves more than a price comparison.
The CLA 220 Mild Hybrid at $43,900 is the right choice for buyers who want a new-generation CLA without committing to an EV. It is the most affordable entry point, runs on premium gasoline, requires no charging infrastructure, and offers the familiar ownership experience of a combustion-powered car with mild-hybrid efficiency assistance. Its main limitation is that the 48V system is not a full hybrid; fuel economy improvement over a conventional turbocharged four-cylinder is incremental rather than transformative. For buyers in markets where home charging is impractical or who drive long distances between charging opportunities, the CLA 220 is the practical path.
The CLA 250+ Electric at $47,950 is the choice for buyers who have home charging access and whose typical usage pattern falls well within the 374-mile range ceiling. Its 127 MPGe and up to 374 miles of range make it one of the most efficient and longest-range compact luxury EVs available at this price. The RWD layout and rear-biased weight distribution give it a more driver-focused character than most front-drive luxury sedans. For buyers who will charge at home regularly, the effective per-mile energy cost on electricity dramatically undercuts the CLA 220’s premium gasoline operating costs over a typical ownership period.
The CLA 350 4MATIC Electric at $50,500 is the choice for buyers who want the CLA’s EV powertrain with all-weather AWD capability and meaningfully faster acceleration. The 4.8-second 0-60 time is a significant step up from the 250+’s 6.6 seconds, and 4MATIC all-wheel drive provides meaningful traction advantages in wet, snowy, or loose-surface conditions. The trade-off is 62 fewer EPA miles of range per charge. At $2,550 more than the CLA 250+, the 350 4MATIC is the right step up for buyers in northern climates or those who prioritize performance over maximum range.
The 2027 CLA carries a substantial options list, and a base-configured CLA differs meaningfully from a loaded one. Key options to evaluate before purchase include:
The 2027 CLA’s options-heavy pricing structure means two CLAs at the same model designation can differ by $12,000 or more depending on packages selected. Always compare out-the-door prices on identically configured vehicles when shopping across dealers.
As of early November 2026, the 2027 CLA is in the early phase of its production run as a newly redesigned model. New-generation models at launch typically carry limited manufacturer incentive programs, and early buyer demand for the redesigned CLA has been strong relative to available inventory. Mercedes-Benz’s monthly programs may include lease offers and financing rates; check Mercedes-Benz’s website for the current month’s programs before signing any paperwork. The CLA 250+ Electric and CLA 350 4MATIC Electric do not qualify for any federal EV tax credit, as Mercedes-Benz vehicles do not currently meet domestic content requirements under the rules that remained after the credits’ restructuring.
The 2027 CLA is a new redesign at an early stage of its market availability, which affects negotiating conditions. Published invoice data currently shows invoice equal to MSRP across all three trims, meaning the typical invoice-based negotiating floor is not yet established in the pricing databases. However, real-world transaction data on the CLA 220 Hybrid indicates buyers are completing purchases at approximately 6 percent below MSRP, which translates to roughly $2,600 off the CLA 220’s $43,900 sticker and $2,900 off the CLA 250+’s $47,950 sticker.
Use real-world transaction data, not published invoice, as your anchor. On the CLA 250+ at $47,950, a target in the $45,500 to $46,500 range before destination and options reflects the current market transaction pattern. On the CLA 350 4MATIC at $50,500, a target in the $48,000 to $49,000 range is a reasonable starting position. These are softer floors than you would have on a vehicle with established invoice pricing, but the transaction data supports the expectation of a meaningful discount from sticker.
Inventory availability matters. The CLA is a new model and some trims and configurations may have limited regional inventory early in the model year. Dealers with allocated inventory in high-demand configurations have less motivation to negotiate than those with broader stock. If a specific color or package is not critical, willingness to take what a dealer has in stock can create additional room.
The options list is a negotiating surface. Mercedes dealers have historically been willing to negotiate more aggressively on dealer-installed or bundled accessories than on the vehicle base price. Asking for options or accessories to be included at cost rather than marked up is a common approach to reducing effective out-the-door price without requiring a sticker discount the dealer may be reluctant to give on a new redesign.
Email multiple Mercedes-Benz dealers simultaneously. Request a best out-the-door price on an identically configured CLA from two to three dealers in your market before visiting any of them. Out-the-door is the only number worth comparing; Mercedes dealers vary considerably on documentation fees and add-on packages. Having a competing dealer’s written offer is the strongest single negotiating tool available at the point of sale.
The 2027 CLA enters a field that has shifted considerably toward electrification. The BMW i4 starts around $59,000 as a fully electric sports sedan. The Audi A3 remains a combustion-only compact luxury sedan starting around $38,000. The Tesla Model 3 competes directly with the electric CLAs starting around $42,000 with up to 358 miles of range. The Genesis G70 offers a sporty combustion alternative starting around $41,000.
Against the Tesla Model 3, the CLA 250+ Electric’s strongest arguments are brand prestige, the traditional luxury interior, native NACS charging, and competitive range. The Model 3 offers stronger performance per dollar and a more established used-vehicle market. Against the BMW i4, the CLA 250+ is $11,000 less expensive at base while delivering competitive range and faster charging capability; the i4 offers a more driver-centric experience and stronger brand positioning in the segment. Against the Audi A3, the CLA 220 is more expensive but offers a more modern platform, more technology content, and the option to step into an EV variant at a modest premium.
The 2027 CLA’s most compelling competitive position is the CLA 250+ Electric: at $47,950 with up to 374 miles of range and 320 kW fast charging, it is priced below the BMW i4 and Lexus ES EV while delivering best-in-class range and one of the fastest charging rates in its segment. For buyers who want a compact electric luxury sedan without paying BMW i4 pricing, the CLA 250+ is the strongest argument in the 2027 field.
Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the car world.
