Mercedes-Benz has earned a prestigious honor, with its redesigned CLA model named the 2026 european Car of the Year. The all-electric and hybrid CLA topped a field of 59 automotive journalists’ picks from 23 countries, signaling a growing preference for electrified vehicles in the European market.This win marks only the second time in the award’s 62-year history that a Mercedes-Benz vehicle has claimed the top spot, following the 450 SE/SEL in 1974.
The redesigned Mercedes-Benz CLA has been named the 2026 European Car of the Year, surpassing a competitive field of new vehicle launches, all of which featured some form of electrification, according to Carscoops.com. The win marks a significant moment for Mercedes-Benz as it continues to expand its electric vehicle offerings in a rapidly evolving automotive market.
Mercedes-Benz’s third-generation CLA, which debuted last year as a fully electric model and is now also available as a hybrid, secured 320 points from a jury of 59 automotive journalists representing 23 countries across the continent. This prestigious award underscores the growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles in Europe.
Mercedes-Benz CLA led the rankings. The final tally saw Skoda’s Elroq take second place with 220 points, followed by the Kia EV4 with 208 points, the Citroen C5 Aircross with 207 points, the Fiat Grande Panda with 200 points, the Dacia Bigster with 170 points, and the Renault 4 rounding out the top contenders with 150 points.
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The CLA not only achieved the highest overall score but also received a first-place vote from 22 jurors, significantly outpacing the Citroen C5 Aircross, which topped 15 ballots. This strong showing demonstrates the broad appeal and positive reception of the new Mercedes-Benz model.
Despite the increasing number of electric competitors in recent years, this is only the second time in the award’s 62-year history that a Mercedes-Benz has claimed the top prize. The first win came in 1974 with the Mercedes-Benz 450 SE/SEL.
The CLA 250+ with EQ technology and the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ technology are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an 800-volt electric architecture. The base 250+ model boasts a European-declared range of 792 km (approximately 492 miles), while the 350 model offers a declared range of 771 km (approximately 479 miles). These figures highlight the advancements Mercedes-Benz has made with its latest generation of electric vehicles, positioning it as a leader in EV range and performance.
The new CLA’s success may not end here. Just last week, it was named one of ten finalists for the 2026 World Car of the Year award. It will compete against models such as the BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV4, Nissan Leaf, Toyota RAV4, and Audi Q5/SQ5.
