Mercedes-Benz has launched the all-new CLA Shooting Brake, an electric estate car that blends practicality with impressive range. Despite the declining popularity of estates, Mercedes pushes forward, offering a compelling alternative to the SUV dominance in the premium market.
Trim Levels and Powertrain Options
The CLA Shooting Brake is available in five trim levels—Sport, Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium, and AMG Line Premium Plus—with two powertrain configurations: single-motor and dual-motor. Initially, all models will be fully electric, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and high-performance AMG variants arriving within a year.
Pricing starts at £47,750 for the base 250+ Sport trim, rising to £56,885 for the fully-equipped AMG Line Premium Plus. The dual-motor 350+ is available from £56,235 in mid-range trims and above. The Shooting Brake is slightly more expensive than the saloon sibling, which starts at around £46,000.
Key Features and Interior Updates
All trims feature a 14-inch central touchscreen with integrated selfie/video camera, adaptive headlights and cruise control, and a fixed panoramic sunroof. Higher trims add features like heat-insulating windows, flush door handles, keyless entry, ambient lighting, wireless charging, sports styling, and a premium MBUX Superscreen.
The Shooting Brake also receives subtle interior updates including a new steering wheel with roller-wheel controls, replacing touch-sensitive buttons. The glass roof now features an electrochromic function for virtual sunshading.
Practicality and Space
The Shooting Brake offers 455 liters of cargo space, expanding to 1,290 liters with the rear seats folded. This is a slight reduction compared to the previous generation (30 liters less, 60 with seats down), but electric models gain an additional 101 liters of storage under the hood. Headroom in the second row has been improved due to the higher roofline. Roof rails (75kg capacity) and an optional towbar (1,800kg towing capacity) add versatility.
Range and Charging
The long-range CLA 250+ combines a 268bhp rear-mounted motor with an 85kWh battery, achieving up to 469 miles on a single charge – only slightly less than the saloon. The dual-motor 350 variant delivers 348bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 5 seconds, retaining over 451 miles of range. A smaller battery pack option will be available later.
The vehicle supports up to 320kW charging, gaining around 200 miles in 10 minutes via the 800V architecture. An optional £850 DC charger enables compatibility with 400V charging stations.
Competition and Future Plans
The CLA Shooting Brake faces limited direct competition. The Tesla Model Y is an SUV alternative but offers less range (383 miles max). The Polestar 2 is less practical, and Volvo’s EC40 struggles to exceed 350 miles.
Mercedes plans to expand the range with high-performance AMG models and hybrid-assisted ICE options for buyers not yet ready to switch to electric.
The CLA Shooting Brake presents a compelling case for a stylish, practical, and long-range electric vehicle, proving that the estate body style still has a place in the modern automotive landscape.
