CLA
Introduced in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is a compact four-door model that combines coupé styling with the mechanical and commercial family of Mercedes-Benz compact cars. Its low roofline, frameless doors, and sharply drawn profile immediately set it apart from the conventional A-Class hatchback. Mercedes-Benz expanded the range in 2015 with the CLA Shooting Brake, adding a taller rear section, a tailgate, and greater everyday practicality. A second generation arrived in 2019 with larger proportions, a more rounded interpretation of the design, and a digital cabin based on the brand’s newer compact-car technology. The 2025 redesign represents a major technical change: the CLA moves to a new architecture designed for both an electric drivetrain and a 48-volt electrified combustion-engine version. The result remains recognisably a compact four-door coupé, but its role now extends into Mercedes-Benz’s broader electrification strategy.
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Variants by year
Make: Mercedes-Benz · Model: CLA
6 / 6 versions shown
2026
2025
2019
2015
2013
Mercedes-Benz CLA photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is a compact four-door model that combines coupé styling with the mechanical and commercial family of Mercedes-Benz compact cars. Its low roofline, frameless doors, and sharply drawn profile immediately set it apart from the conventional A-Class hatchback. Mercedes-Benz expanded the range in 2015 with the CLA Shooting Brake, adding a taller rear section, a tailgate, and greater everyday practicality. A second generation arrived in 2019 with larger proportions, a more rounded interpretation of the design, and a digital cabin based on the brand’s newer compact-car technology. The 2025 redesign represents a major technical change: the CLA moves to a new architecture designed for both an electric drivetrain and a 48-volt electrified combustion-engine version. The result remains recognisably a compact four-door coupé, but its role now extends into Mercedes-Benz’s broader electrification strategy.
History
The CLA was introduced in early 2013 after the strong design response to the Concept Style Coupé shown in 2012. Mercedes-Benz positioned it as a more accessible four-door coupé than the CLS, using a low body, frameless side doors, and a pronounced roof arc. The model also had strategic importance in the United States, where Mercedes-Benz described it as its first compact car introduced there in this format. Depending on the market, the original range included petrol and diesel engines, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and AMG derivatives. In January 2015, Mercedes-Benz revealed the CLA Shooting Brake in Detroit. It retained the coupé’s front-end treatment and overall character, but adopted a higher rear roof and a large tailgate. That combination gave the CLA family an unusual blend of style and practicality. The second generation arrived in 2019 with larger dimensions, a more mature design, and a significantly updated interior. It also brought new AMG derivatives and a second-generation Shooting Brake. The 2025 CLA begins another chapter, introducing an all-new architecture first used for an electric model and then extended to electrified hybrid versions.
Generations
The first generation is commonly associated with the 117 series for the coupé and the X117 series for the Shooting Brake, beginning in 2013. It is identified by taut body lines, a prominent grille, and a profile closely related to the earlier concept car. The Shooting Brake joined the family in 2015, retaining the same front-end design while adding a taller, more practical rear body. A mid-cycle update brought equipment and styling revisions without turning the car into a completely new model. The second generation arrived in 2019. It grew in length and width, adopted smoother surfacing, and introduced a cabin centred around Mercedes-Benz’s digital display architecture. The coupé and Shooting Brake shared more of their visual and technological identity than before. This generation received a later update during the early 2020s. The 2025 redesign represents a distinct third phase. Mercedes-Benz developed the new CLA around a modular architecture intended to support different propulsion systems. The electric model introduces the company’s MB.OS operating system, while hybrid versions combine a combustion engine with 48-volt electrification. Exact body styles, equipment levels, and powertrain availability remain market-dependent, so regional specifications should not be assumed to be universal.
Key differences
The CLA Coupé is the original body style in the range. Its four-door body prioritises a low roofline and a sedan-like or fastback-style rear, depending on the generation and market. The Shooting Brake shares the front end and much of the underlying technology, but extends the roof farther toward the tailgate. It provides a more useful rear opening and a more versatile cargo area without adopting the upright proportions of a conventional estate car. The generational differences are also significant. The first CLA uses sharper exterior detailing and a more traditional interior layout. The 2019 model is larger, smoother in appearance, and centred around a more advanced digital cabin. The CLA introduced in 2025 differs most clearly beneath the skin: its architecture is designed to accommodate either an electric drivetrain or an electrified combustion-engine system. Engines, transmissions, trim levels, and equipment packages vary by market and model year, so a badge or body style alone does not identify every specification.
Photo recognition
A first-generation CLA can usually be identified by its very low profile, frameless side doors, and strongly rising beltline. The Coupé has a short, fastback-style rear, while the Shooting Brake is easy to distinguish through its longer roof and large tailgate. AMG versions add sportier exterior details, although the exact treatment depends on the trim and market. The second-generation CLA, introduced in 2019, looks longer and wider. Its body sides are smoother, and the interior is typically recognisable by the broad digital display arrangement ahead of the driver. The 2025 model adopts a cleaner front-end treatment and a design intended to work with both electric and hybrid propulsion. For an accurate identification, body shape, lamp design, dashboard layout, and the vehicle identification number should be considered together. Model-year labels can be misleading because facelifted cars may remain visually close to earlier versions and regional equipment can change the appearance of otherwise similar vehicles.
Important versions
The 2013 CLA Coupé established Mercedes-Benz’s compact four-door coupé formula. The CLA 45 AMG became the performance flagship of the first generation, using 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine depending on market specification. The CLA Shooting Brake, introduced in 2015, is significant because it combines the coupé design language with a more practical tailgate body. The second generation expanded the performance range with CLA 35 and CLA 45 AMG versions and introduced a new Shooting Brake. The 2025 CLA should be treated as a separate milestone: it introduces an architecture designed for both electric propulsion and electrified hybrid powertrains. Version names, outputs, transmissions, and body-style availability are not identical across all countries.
The name “CLA” follows Mercedes-Benz naming, with its rules and its exceptions. Decode a Mercedes-Benz name
References
- Launch of the New Mercedes-Benz CLA-ClassMercedes-Benz Japan
- 117 series CLA Shooting Brakes, 2015–2016Mercedes-Benz Public Archive
- The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLAMercedes-Benz Media
- A closer look at the upcoming CLAMercedes-Benz Group
- The new CLA: sustainability and environmental checkMercedes-Benz Group
- Mercedes-Benz CLA: Modelle, Technische Daten, PreiseADAC
- https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/autokatalog/marken-modelle/mercedes-benz/cla/?filter=NONEadac.de
- https://www.iseecars.com/car/mercedes-benz-cla-class/generationsiseecars.com
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Mercedes-Benz CLA produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2013 - 2026.
- How many Mercedes-Benz CLA examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 20 published scans from 17 members, with the latest photo added in October 2026.
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