2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake: Sleek petrol, EV wagon a chance for Australia

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake has been revealed, offering electric power for the first time, and the all-new small premium wagon is a good chance for local release.

“The CLA Shooting Brake is under consideration for the Australian market,” said a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson.

It’s launching in Europe in March 2026, while its four-door ‘coupe’ counterpart is already due to arrive here during the second half of 2026, following the new compact sedan’s international launch this month.

Should the new wagon arrive here, it would represent the return of the CLA Shooting Brake to Australia. The first generation was offered here, but Australia missed out on the second generation.

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Thus far, Mercedes-Benz has revealed only electric versions – the CLA250+ Shooting Brake with EQ Technology and the CLA350 4Matic Shooting Brake with EQ Technology. Yes, that was just two, they just have really long names…

This makes the CLA Shooting Brake the brand’s first electric wagon.

However, it won’t be electric-only for long. Mercedes-Benz will launch CLA Shooting Brakes with 48V mild-hybrid petrol power early next year in Europe, with the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) supporting both combustion and electric powertrains.

Mild-hybrid CLA Shooting Brakes will comprise a combustion engine and an electric motor integrated within the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, allowing for electric coasting at speeds of around 100km/h as well as pure electric driving at “inner-city speeds”.

Electric versions feature either rear- or all-wheel drive, and use a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle; second gear is designed for power delivery at high speeds.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed additional electric variants are coming to join the two launch powertrains detailed below:

Ahead of the B-pillar, the Shooting Brake is identical to the CLA sedan. However, there’s naturally a longer roof, and this includes a one-piece panoramic glass panel with the optional ability to adjust the transparency via the touchscreen.

This glass roof is also connected to the ambient lighting, and features 158 stars integrated into its surface that remain “almost invisible during the day”; light is fed to them from the front via LED modules, creating a unique visual experience at night.

Here’s how the CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology compares to its combustion-powered predecessor in terms of external dimensions:

While it’s longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, resulting in 14mm more front headroom and 7mm more rear headroom, rear legroom has dropped by 6mm and rear shoulder room by 13mm.

The boot is also smaller at 455 litres, down 30L with a 15mm higher load floor.

Once you drop the 40:20:40-split rear seats, load space expands to 1290L. However, this is still down 60L on the old model. 

Offsetting this is 101L of illuminated storage under the bonnet, though naturally this won’t be available in upcoming mild-hybrid models.

Inside the cabin, there’s an available full-width MBUX Superscreen setup. This comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an available 14-inch screen for the passenger which they can use for gaming or streaming media.

Also available is a 12.2-inch head-up display.

The CLA Shooting Brake features the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) and supports over-the-air software updates for not only the fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system but also vehicle functions such as driver assistance systems.

Speaking of MBUX, its new Virtual Assistant can handle multi-part queries, has a short-term memory so you can pick up queries later, and utilises both ChatGPT4o and Microsoft Bing Search.

Mercedes-Benz claims it can even recognise emotions and react accordingly, “just like a good friend”. It has a “living” avatar in the form of the Mercedes-Benz star, which is always visible on the touchscreen.

The company has ensured important information, suggestions, and recently used apps are always visible on the ‘Zero Layer’ of the infotainment system.

Mercedes-Benz Navigation with Electric Intelligence uses map data from Google Maps, and plans the fastest and most convenient route and adds charging stops if necessary.

The navigation can also activate battery preconditioning to ensure the battery is at the right temperature as you roll up to a charging station.

Mercedes-Benz has responded to customer feedback, reintroducing roller and rocker switches for the new CLA Shooting Brake’s steering wheel. 

The CLA Shooting Brake’s interior can be had with leather, Artico leatherette and Artico/fabric combination upholstery in a range of colours, while interior trim options include brushed aluminium, wood, carbon-fibre and papered surfaces.

A rocker switch is used for setting the cruise control speed, while a roller is used for media volume; touch-capacitive switches remain for other functions on the wheel.

Mercedes-Benz has been shrinking its lineup of so-called Entry Luxury models.

The A-Class and B-Class are getting the axe, but the GLA and GLB SUVs will survive another generation as the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake have done, moving to the new MMA platform.

The next-generation GLA and GLB are also set to offer electric power, but will almost certainly ditch the standalone EQA and EQB nameplates for EV versions.

MORE: Explore the Mercedes-Benz CLA showroom