Mercedes has unveiled the first-ever electric Shooting Brake in the brand’s history in Copenhagen. On paper, it’s a technological masterpiece with a 761 km (473 mi) range and a roof studded with 158 illuminated stars. But on the outside, the new CLA looks dangerously similar to the old one – so many chrome stars and LED strips that you could easily mistake the season for December. This is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake (2026).
142 illuminated stars on the closed "mask", a continuous LED strip at the front and rear, and an almost two-meter-long glass roof arch - all of this attracts attention, but also raises doubts as to whether the design team went too far with LED-anything-this-time. Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake (2026). Also Carscoops admits that “the new model does not visually capture the charm of the first generation”.
Dimensions and proportions
Compared to the previous one Mercedes The CLA is longer (+35 mm), wider (+25 mm) and taller (+27 mm). Despite the growth, the trunk is basically falls to 455 l (-30 l), which Motor1 ironically describes as “less practical in the background”. At least the 101-liter frunk save the honor of the family caravan.
EQ drive: two gears, 85 kWh and rocket charging
- CLA 250+: 200 kW (268 hp), 335 Nm (247 lb-ft), 0-100 km/h 6.8 s, maximum 210 km/h (130 mph), range 761 km WLTP
- CLA 350 4MATIC: 260 kW (349 hp), 515 Nm (380 lb-ft), 0-100 km/hv 5.0 s, range 730 km
Both are powered by an 85 kWh NMC battery at 800 V. The maximum 320 kW DC charge adds an additional 310 km (193 mi) in 10 minutes. A two-speed gearbox ensures that at 210 km/h there is still some acceleration up its sleeve.
Spaciousness: numbers versus feeling
The rear head is +26mm, the knees are +11mm, and you can attach 75kg to the roof rack. You can also load a 1,800kg trailer – impressive for an EV in this class. A baroque the LED-striped silhouette means the roofline is anything but adventurous; the question is how gracefully it will age once the LED trend cools.
Cockpit: Superscreen, Bing and ChatGPT on caffeine
The interior features a 26 cm (10.25") instrument cluster, a 35.6 cm (14") central display and, if desired, a third 14-inch display for the passenger. New MBUX powered by Unity Game Engine, Google Maps handles navigation, ChatGPT-4o and talks to you like a “friend with an excellent memory.” And if that’s not enough sky, turn on the roof Milky Way with 158 illuminated stars – a sight that is both spectacular and, frankly, a bit kitschy.
How (should) I drive?
There are no first test drives yet, but the two-speed transmission promises lower fuel consumption at highway speeds and one-box a brake that recuperates up to 200 kW. If the real range exceeds 600 km, this will be a serious challenge to Tesla's station wagons, which - to be honest - do not yet exist.
Conclusion: a sweet and sour star story – Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake (2026)
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake (2026) is like dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant: technically excellent, but the portions of LED decoration demand a taste for glitter. Yes, 761 km of range, 320 kW of charging and 1,290 l of luggage volume are dream numbers. Yes, the roof-mounted planetarium will delight the kids in the back seat. But in terms of design, the car is recognizable CLA, with enough lighting elements to make it look like a retro futuristic jukebox in five years. Maybe that's the charm: like a good vinyl record, this one will shooting brake evoke emotions – even if some of them will be in the style of “less is sometimes more”. Price? Mercedes is still silent, but expect at least 60 thousand for a ticket to the galaxy of starry station wagons. If you are looking for practicality with a little theater, this is your ticket; but if you crave discreet minimalism, look elsewhere – or turn off half the lights.
