2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220: Hybrid Model Joins the Lineup

Innsbruck, Austria—In addition to the electric Mercedes-Benz CLA, the German automaker is expanding its lineup by adding a hybrid powertrain for the 2027 model year. The Car Guide was able to take the car for a first test drive on the mountain roads of Austria, in weather conditions similar to those we experience in Canada during winter.

To be clear, all new CLA models—electric and hybrid—will go on sale in Canada for the 2027 model year. The first hybrid to hit Canadian soil will be the front-wheel-drive CLA 220. An all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4MATIC model will follow, but not before 2028.

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The one we drove was a Euro-spec CLA 220 4MATIC, which had the same powertrain as the Canadian variant but with all-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive. That said, the car's performance shouldn't be fundamentally different.

Tech Galore

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA relies heavily on technology to attract customers. Sharing its dashboard and displays with the equally new 2027 GLB, the CLA features a 12.25-inch digital instrument cluster facing the driver, complete with an interface very similar to that of existing models. Meanwhile, the 14-inch touchscreen on the right comes alive with the fourth-generation MBUX system, which also includes the new MB.OS supercomputer. The latter is faster and enables over-the-air updates.

Another 14-inch display (optional) faces the front passenger. It can provide a large amount of information, but also allows you to stream videos on Disney+ or YouTube, for example. We tried it out and it worked generally well. And since Mercedes-Benz has thought of everything, a camera located in the middle of the dashboard cuts off the video feed as soon as the driver takes their eyes off the road to look at it. Don't even think about getting around this by putting tape over the camera: obstructing it will also cut off the video.

All of the CLA’s in-car technology is fairly intuitive to use, but the lack of physical buttons for basic functions is a shame. As is often the case in modern cars, you have to take your attention away from the road to manually adjust the cabin temperature or fan speed. Voice controls are an alternative, mind you.

Elsewhere, we found the interior nicely finished and functional. The seats offer good support, and there's ample space in the front and adequate legroom in the back. Only taller passengers might feel a bit cramped due to the sloping roofline.

All-New Engine and Triple-Clutch Transmission

Powering the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 (as well as the new GLB) is a new turbocharged 1.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine. The unit is extremely compact and surprisingly doesn't have an exhaust manifold. Instead, 4-into-2 pipes connect directly in the cylinder head, and from there two exhaust outlets feed a standard turbocharger (no variable geometry or electric assistance). Furthermore, the turbocharger is bolted directly to the cylinder head. We asked the engineering team about the engine possibly overheating as a direct result, but they assured us that everything has been planned to prevent it.

Another unique characteristic is the Miller cycle, which closes the intake valves earlier than in a conventional four-stroke engine. This results in less air entering the cylinder—and therefore less fuel since the stoichiometric ratio (the correct amount of air and fuel for each combustion cycle) must remain optimal. Consequently, the engine generates less power for the same displacement, but it also proves more fuel-efficient. To compensate for this, Mercedes-Benz has added an electric motor and a 48V mild hybrid system powered by a 1.3kWh battery.

So, how much power are we talking about? The front-wheel-drive CLA 220 delivers a combined 188 horsepower, while the all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4MATIC is rated at 228 horsepower. But wait, Mercedes-Benz is also introducing a groundbreaking eight-speed automatic transmission using not one, not two, but three clutches. That’s right. The first two clutches operate like any automated transmission, allowing for seamless gear shifts without any torque interruption. The third clutch allows the gasoline engine to completely disengage, leaving the electric motor and the transmission to move the car.

In this configuration, the driver must not require more than 22 kW (30 horsepower) from the electric motor. Otherwise, or when the battery no longer has enough charge, the on-board computer immediately calls on the engine to resume duty.

Living Up to Its Promise?

Thanks to the CLA’s electric motor and mild hybrid system, acceleration from a standstill is quite lively. By applying gentle pressure on the throttle, it's indeed possible to drive on pure battery power for a few kilometres. When the gasoline engine kicks in, we found the transition to be seamless. The gearbox also deserves praise as shifts are smooth at all times.

On the road, we found that the CLA 220 lacked a bit of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. Performance is adequate overall, but not really exhilarating. That said, our test drive took place at altitude, starting at around 600 metres and reaching a maximum of over 2,500 metres. The thinner air may have contributed to this perception and likely skewed our fuel consumption score, as well. The car achieved 10-12 L/100 km on average, which is admittedly not very good. To be fair, it’s no wonder the engine was so thirsty considering we kept pushing the CLA on those mountain roads.

We'll need to wait for a test drive in road conditions that are more representative of Canadians’ daily habits to objectively assess fuel economy—just like we'll need to get our hands on the more powerful CLA 250 4MATIC (228 hp instead of 188 hp) to see whether the driving experience is the same.

As far as the chassis is concerned, the CLA displayed commendable agility in corners and proved enjoyable to drive. Despite our enthusiasm behind the wheel, it remained composed, demonstrating excellent balance and poise during sudden changes of direction.

Sure, Austrian roads are generally smooth, but we found ride quality to be fantastic. Even in Sport mode, the suspension remained quite forgiving. Following hard and repeated decelerations when approaching hairpin turns, we have to admit that braking performance is pretty satisfying, too.

Mercedes-Benz also took us on a mountain pass straddling Austria and Italy that had been previously closed to traffic for the winter. With no other vehicles around, we were able to assess the performance of the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system in extreme conditions. Overall, the system fared very well, helped by the excellent Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 tires that were fitted to our test car.

In Normal mode, with all driver assistance systems activated, the new CLA inspired confidence no matter what. In this configuration, the car relies solely on the front wheels and engages the rear axle when necessary. Torque distribution can go as high as 60/40, whereas in Sport mode, up to 50% of the torque can be sent to the rear wheels. We were able to test this drive mode on the ice- and snow-covered road picked by Mercedes-Benz, and the car once again demonstrated its exceptional performance.

At one point, we turned off traction and stability control to push the CLA harder. In these conditions, the car showed impressive drifting skills and was easy to correct with well-executed counter-steering. The engineers on hand explained to us that, unlike AMG models where the electronics can be completely deactivated, the CLA's computer still keeps an eye on what you are doing, limiting how sideways you can get if it judges the situation to be critical.

Our Verdict

In the end, we found that the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA made a good first impression. However, since the driving conditions were out of the ordinary, a second, more extensive road test is necessary before making a final judgment.

We also have to wait for pricing details to see how it compares to rivals. All we know for now is that the front-wheel-drive CLA 220 will launch in Canada as a 2027 model sometime in the fourth quarter of 2026. As for the all-wheel-drive CLA 250 4MATIC, it will arrive a full year later as a 2028 model.