Why Will not Mercedes Deliver The CLA Taking pictures Brake EV To North-America?

If we scream loud sufficient, possibly, simply possibly, American automobile consumers will ultimately get up and notice {that a} station wagon will at all times be cooler than an SUV. And prettier, too. I will go forward and say that the five-door wagon format for any automobile is at all times extra enticing than its three-box design, sedan equal.

Base Trim Engine

EV

Base Trim Transmission

Automated

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

268 HP

Base Trim Torque

247 lb.-ft.

The not too long ago revealed 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Taking pictures Brake is an ideal living proof. I used to be there, in particular person, when Mercedes pulled the drape off of it. And after spending a couple of days with its sedan counterpart, I can say with assurance that the wagon is approach extra enticing. Sadly, and naturally, we’re not getting this smooth new electrical automobile (EV), which sucks.

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The Mercedes CLA Taking pictures Brake Would Be Our First, Considerably Attainable Electrical Wagon

Mercedes confirmed journalists and content material creators the brand new CLA Taking pictures Brake throughout the 2026 CLA’s launch occasion in Copenhagen. I am unable to share my driving impressions of the sedan simply but since these are below embargo. However I’m allowed to speak about its seems. The automobile seems type of bizarre.

Look, the CLA is a smooth little sedan, with a handsome rear and aspect profile, nice proportions, and that immediately recognizable Mercedes four-door coupe look. However I nonetheless discover it seems a bit too slender and upright, particularly when carrying the smaller, 17-inch wheels. Its entrance fascia additionally by some means seems like a fish.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Technical Specs

The Taking pictures Brake, nonetheless, or Europe’s fancy approach of calling this a station wagon, fixes most of that due to an extended wheelbase, an extended roofline, and a rear finish that simply seems fatter, wider, and extra coherent with the automobile’s total design. The entrance continues to be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but it surely feels as if it was designed as a wagon first. It is really the opposite approach round, because the CLA’s goal was at all times to mix the proportions of each a coupe and a sedan.

Lack Of EV Wagon Competitors In North America

Anyway, what I discover significantly interesting about this wagon is that it is a full EV, which might dwell type of alone by itself rock if it have been to be bought right here in North America. There aren’t actually any small wagons out there right here anymore, particularly not electrical ones. The one different automobile I can consider is the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, however that is mainly out of attain for frequent folks such as you and me.

Certain, the CLA is a Mercedes, which mechanically makes it costlier than your common EV. However though pricing hasn’t but been introduced for our market, it’s going to clearly be much more reasonably priced than that Porsche. Keep in mind, the CLA is the entry-level Benz, the mannequin that, in concept, anybody with a good paycheck can afford nowadays. Plus, you are getting a local North American Charging Commonplace (NACS) cost port, as much as 320-kW of 800-volt DC quick charging, a Taycan-style rear-mounted two-speed transmission, and an AI assistant that sources its data from each ChatGPT and Google Gemini. All in wagon type!

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North America May Quickly Witness A Shift In Wagon Demand

There’s at present no laborious information to again this up, but, however I’ve a powerful feeling that the North American auto trade might quickly see a resurgence of station wagons. Whereas all of Mercedes‘ product planners on web site throughout the Taking pictures Brake’s reveal have been fast to reply that the rationale we aren’t getting this automobile is because of low demand, we have witnessed some fascinating phenomena in recent times.

Wagons Resonate With The Subsequent Technology Of Drivers

For starters, there’s a wholly new era of automobile consumers on the market who lust after station wagons. Simply take a look at what’s on sale on public sale websites like Deliver a Trailer or Automobiles and Bids. Chances are high you will spot a station wagon, presumably German, fetching high-dollar bids. Audi not too long ago tried sending the RS 6 Avant our approach, and boy, did that do effectively for the model. So effectively, in actual fact, that it motivated BMW to additionally convey the M5 Touring to this continent for the primary time within the mannequin’s historical past. And you understand what? It is outselling the sedan. Inevitably, that additionally received Mercedes-AMG to tag alongside, confirming that the E-53 hybrid wagon will arrive on our shores later this yr. It is occurring, guys. Wagons are so again!

However these are high-performance wagons. There nonetheless hasn’t been a case for a extra, shall I say, mainstream providing just like the CLA. There has additionally been no enterprise case for an all-electric small wagon in our market. However that may be an exquisite alternative for Mercedes to check the waters, break the mould of conference. I am one hundred pc sure that within the present state of issues, with the market transferring the way in which that it is transferring, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Taking pictures Brake would do effectively right here. The time is true, Mercedes. Deliver the sexier CLA Taking pictures Brake our approach. Belief me, it’s going to work this time.