2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Plus Shooting Brake X118
By Lorenzo Bianchi April 9, 2026
Up to 769 km WLTP range with fast charging capability.
Shooting Brake adds more space with 455L boot and 101L frunk.
New MBUX system with AI-driven interface and Superscreen option.
Familiar shape, stretched into something more usable
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Plus Shooting Brake X118 follows a layout that’s already familiar, but it shifts the balance slightly.
Up to the B-pillar, it mirrors the CLA saloon. Low roofline, narrow greenhouse, that slightly forward-leaning nose. Beyond that, the roof extends further back, dropping more gradually into the rear. It changes the whole silhouette.
The front carries a panel filled with small illuminated star elements. Not subtle, but it gives the car a distinct identity at night. At the rear, the lighting follows a similar theme, with star-shaped elements linked by a light bar.
Proportions adjust for space without losing shape
Despite the added practicality, the proportions haven’t drifted too far.
The car is longer and slightly taller than before, with a wheelbase stretched to 2,790 mm. That extra length mostly benefits the rear section, where the extended roofline opens up more usable space.
Headroom improves across both rows, particularly in the rear, where the longer roof makes a noticeable difference. Access is easier too, thanks to larger door openings.
It still reads like a coupe at a glance, but it behaves more like an estate when you actually use it.
Interior leans into digital and lightness
Inside, the layout feels familiar if you’ve seen the latest CLA, but there’s more emphasis on space.
The centre console sits high and split across two levels, while the screens appear to float across the dashboard. Mercedes leans into that “lightness” idea quite heavily here.
The optional MBUX Superscreen stretches across the cabin, combining multiple displays under a single glass surface. The system itself runs on the new MB.OS platform, which allows for over-the-air updates across core vehicle systems.
The voice assistant has also evolved. It can handle longer conversations and even responds with a bit more context than before, though how intuitive that feels in daily use is still [Unverified].
Electric powertrain focuses on range and efficiency
The CLA 250 Plus Shooting Brake sits as one of the core electric variants.
It produces 200 kW and is paired with an 85 kWh battery. The headline figure is range — up to 769 km under WLTP conditions, which places it at the upper end of the segment.
Charging speeds are equally notable. Under the right conditions, it can recover up to 320 km of range in around 10 minutes using DC fast charging.
The drivetrain uses a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle. First gear handles low-speed acceleration, while the second is tuned for efficiency at higher speeds.
Practicality finally matches the shape
This is where the Shooting Brake format starts to make sense.
Boot capacity sits at 455 litres, expanding to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s also a 101-litre front trunk, which adds flexibility for smaller items.
Roof rails come standard, supporting up to 75 kg, and towing capacity reaches up to 1,800 kg depending on configuration. For an electric car in this segment, that’s a useful addition.
It’s still a style-led car, but it no longer feels compromised when it comes to everyday use.