Mercedes unveils CLA Shooting Brake, an electric wagon with nearly 500 miles of range

Until recently car buyers looking for a stylish wagon and those wanting an electric car had to choose one or the other. Mercedes-Benz has decided to change that. The German automaker officially revealed its first-ever all-electric wagon, the CLA Shooting Brake, blending a sleek design with the practicality families and adventurers demand from their electric cars.

At the heart of any new EV is its performance and range, and the CLA Shooting Brake arrives with impressive numbers. The vehicle is built on Mercedes' new MMA platform, designed to support both electric and hybrid powertrains.

At launch, two all-electric versions will be available. The first is the CLA 250+ Shooting Brake, a single-motor model producing 200 kilowatts (268 horsepower). This version is the long-distance champion, with a projected WLTP range of 473 miles. For more power, the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4MATIC offers 260 kilowatts (348 horsepower) and still provides an estimated range of 454 miles.

Both models are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery that uses silicon-enhanced anodes for better energy density - it is the same battery found in the new CLA sedan. The car is built on an advanced 800-volt electrical system, which allows for extremely fast charging. At a compatible DC fast-charging station, the CLA Shooting Brake can handle speeds up to 320 kW. In practical terms, Mercedes claims this is enough to add 193 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

Inside, the CLA Shooting Brake is a showcase of digital technology. The dashboard is dominated by the MBUX Superscreen, an optional feature that creates a single glass surface stretching from pillar to pillar with three separate displays. The system, which uses technology from the video game world via the Unity engine, gets its smarts from artificial intelligence partners like Microsoft, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT4o.

Mercedes says this creates a voice assistant that can learn a driver's habits and even react to their emotions. Adding to the high-tech feel are a 12.2-inch head-up display, biometric login for driver profiles, and powerful 100-watt USB-C ports. A panoramic roof made of electrochromic glass can switch from clear to tinted instantly, and at night, 158 tiny embedded stars can glow along with the ambient lighting.

A car with "wagon" in its description has to be practical, and Mercedes didn't forget about utility. Compared to its predecessor, the new model has a 2.4 inches longer wheelbase, which translates directly to more space for passengers. Rear occupants get an extra 0.28 inches of headroom and find it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.

For hauling gear, the cargo area offers 16.1 ft³ of space with the rear seats up. Fold the 40:20:40 split-folding seats down, and that space expands to 45.6 ft³. The CLA Shooting Brake also includes a 3.57 ft³ storage compartment under the front hood - often called a "frunk" - and can be fitted with a tow hitch rated for up to 3,968 lb.

For now, Mercedes has this corner of the EV market almost to itself - the only other stylish wagon out there is the Nio ET5T. While rivals in Munich appear to be playing catch-up, that may not last long. BMW does not currently offer a direct competitor, as its iX1 is a crossover and the i5 Touring is in a larger, more expensive class.

However, rumors suggest BMW is developing an i3 Touring as part of its next-generation "Neue Klasse" family of electric cars. That model would be a direct answer to the CLA Shooting Brake. The new Mercedes will launch in Europe in March 2026, with a premium price tag expected to match its long list of features. More versions, including plug-in hybrids and two SUV models on the same platform, are planned to follow.

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